"Let The Good 'Times' Roll"

Welcome Back to Ithaca!

2011-11-20T12:56:00.004-05:00

Good grief! I haven't written on here since the Fourth of September and that was two months ago! Yikes!! Well, for starters, James and I are back in Ithaca. We moved back in August. We just felt that it would be better if we moved back. James has received temporary jobs for Cornell University here and there, but he really wants to get his job back at Wegman's and on Monday he is going to talk to HR and see what they can do about it. I transferred back to the Walmart and got my old job back in the Pharmacy and so far, I am liking it and it feels good to be back. There are some moments where I feel like I just want to strangle a few people, but that's life and I have to deal with it one second, one minute, and one day at a time or else I will just lose it!
Oh and we are now really really really trying to conceive. It's tiring and not to mention disappointing to see your period arrive just "on time" like you hope it wouldn't. So on November 10 James and I went to OBGYN Associates of Ithaca to run tests and see what we can do to get pregnant. I got my blood drawn for so many tests it was as if I was pregnant again. I said it once and I will say it again, I DO NOT LIKE NEEDLES!!! Although this time around was pleasantly nice (if that makes any sense). I got the results of my blood work and everything is normal (yay!!) except for my cholesterol(boo!!); it's high and I need to get it down. This shouldn't be too hard because James and I are watching what we eat and now I just need to exercise 5 times a week. In other words, I guess I need to get up earlier than I do before I go to work and exercise...shouldn't be too hard, right? I have also this condition or some bacteria called ureaplasma or something like that. It's hard to explain, but sometime I will Wiki it and post it on here. The doctor will put James and I on antibiotics and starting the first day of my period, I need to take it for two weeks. Funny on December 14th is when I see her again for a follow-up. I just hope and pray that this antibiotic well help James and I. Who knew trying to have a baby will be this difficult after miscarrying?!
I guess that's all the updates I have for now. I am going to try (notice I said try) to write on here a lot more than I have. Until the next post, have a great week and God Bless!

Random Bloggin'

2011-09-04T14:19:00.003-04:00

*Side note, this is just me ranting on what is going on in my mind. Nothing more nothing less.*

When someone tells you that they don't want to hear from you again, what would you do? Say goodbye and say it's been fun or don't talk to them for a while and then send them an email as if nothing happened? You would think that if someone told you that they don't want to talk to you anymore that they will leave you alone. Nope, not happening. Even when you tell them that you have moved and you want to be left alone. Again, nope not happening. The more you talk to this person, the more you find out and the stuff you find out about this person is quite disturbing to the point that again, you don't want to talk to them. Again, nope not happening. Maybe it's time that this person should change their email so this person won't hear from them again. Better yet, they shouldn't reply when the person sends emails to them. It's almost scary because the person even agreed that it would be best that they don't talk to the person anymore. Problem is is that this person has a drug problem and is an alcoholic. BAD combination. I just think that this person should leave the other person alone and not talk to them and see what they do. I almost said it, you know, "nope, not happening", but I honestly think that this may teach them a lesson. Who actually knows at this point? I have so many things going through my mind and this is what I write about?! Wow, pretty sad if you ask me. I guess this is the one thing that I keep on talking to God about and it won't leave my mind until it's finally "settled" (whatever that means).

Broken Promises

2011-07-04T18:45:00.003-04:00

*Note, this has nothing to do with James or my marriage. Just wanted to rant for a little bit*

If you are going to say you want to hang out, please say it and mean it! Three or maybe four or I am not sure because I am frankly tired of counting, but I have this friend that keeps on saying that they want to hang out, but things get in the way whether it's them drinking too much (which I think they need to get help), family, or it's just they don't want to. I have forgiven them way too many times and I am not sure if I can do it again. The thing is everytime we make plans to do something, it BLOWS up in MY face and I can't do it anymore. I just can't. I need a vacation. Thank goodness James and I are going to New York for his family reunion this Friday. Time a way from Kansas will do us some good. Oh and by the way, Happy Fourth Everyone!

When it Rains it Pours

2011-04-18T19:57:00.003-04:00

Today is my last night at Cedar Rapids with Chris and Aileen. It's been fun, but I feel it's really time for us to go. It's official, my gallbladder is out. It's has been a week today since I have had my gallbladder out and let me tell you, I am reminded of it each and everyday. Lately I have been reminded for the past few days. Everything that I have eaten tells me that I don't have my gallbladder. I feel like everything that I have eaten I can't eat anymore. Yesterday we ate Taco Salad and that went through me and today we had Lasagna and I am almost positive that I will be going to the bathroom pretty soon. What in the world can I eat?! I am going to have to mention this to the doctor's this Friday when I have my post-operation check up. I really hate this feeling because it looks like I will be restricted to just soups and that's all. Or if I want to eat what I really want to eat, I will have to take some sort of medication to prevent me from going to the bathroom after I am done eating.
I have been warned that this may happen, but I didn't think that this will happen this quickly. It's quite depressing let me tell you. What a good way to lose weight, right? NOT! I just hope this process (watching what I am eating and seeing what my tummy can tolerate) doesn't get me down in the dumps because I have already cried about it and I don't want to do it here because they (Chris, Aileen, and James) would think that there's something wrong with my stomach (like I am in pain after surgery) and would want me to take something for it. I am going to sign off now. Have a good night everyone and God bless! Oh and by the way, who ever reads this, please pray for me. Thanks!

Updates and Info about my Procedure

2011-04-16T13:50:00.004-04:00

Right now, I am in Cedar Rapids, Iowa visiting James' cousins Chris and Aileen and their two little girls Kathryn and Kailyn. I gave into temptation (I am NOT supposed to lift anything or anyone over 20 pounds) and carried Kailyn for a while and let me tell you, there's a reason why the doctors tell you NOT to do it!!! It kicked my butt big time and I am still paying for it. Besides that, my throat is killing me because of all of the acid that's in it; can't win can't win at all. It snowed this morning. I wish I took a picture to show you, but it did. It's supposed to be Spring not Winter. For crying out loud, Easter is next week and we aren't supposed to see snow, we are supposed to see green grass and flowers, not white stuff. I just hope that today is the LAST and I do repeat LAST day we see snow until December.

Every now and then, I look at my stomach and I was curious to all what was entailed when they removed my gallbladder, so I looked it up on Wikipedia and this is what I found:

Cholecystectomy (pronounced /ˌkɒləsɪsˈtɛktəmi/, plural: cholecystectomies) is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is the most common method for treating symptomatic gallstones. Surgical options include the standard procedure, called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and an older more invasive procedure, called open cholecystectomy.

Open surgery

A traditional open cholecystectomy is a major abdominal surgery in which the surgeon removes the gallbladder through a 5-7 inch incision. Patients usually remain in the hospital overnight and may require several additional weeks to recover at home

Laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has now replaced open cholecystectomy as the first-choice of treatment for gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder unless there are contraindications to the laparoscopic approach. This is because open surgery makes you more prone to infection. ^[1] Sometimes, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be converted to an open cholecystectomy for technical reasons or safety.

A US Navy general surgeon and an operating room nurse discuss proper procedures while performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires several small incisions in the abdomen to allow the insertion of operating ports, small cylindrical tubes approximately 5-10 mm in diameter, through which surgical instruments and a video camera are placed into the abdominal cavity. The camera illuminates the surgical field and sends a magnified image from inside the body to a video monitor, giving the surgeon a close-up view of the organs and tissues. The surgeon watches the monitor and performs the operation by manipulating the surgical instruments through the operating ports.

To begin the operation, the patient is anesthetized and placed in the supine position on the operating table. A scalpel is used to make a small incision at the umbilicus. Using either a Veress needle or Hasson technique the abdominal cavity is entered. The surgeon inflates the abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide to create a working space. The camera is placed through the umbilical port and the abdominal cavity is inspected. Additional ports are placed inferior to the ribs at the epigastric, midclavicular, and anterior axillary positions. The gallbladder fundus is identified, grasped, and retracted superiorly. With a second grasper, the gallbladder infundibulum is retracted laterally to expose and open Calot's Triangle (the area bound by the cystic artery, cystic duct, and common hepatic duct). The triangle is gently dissected to clear the peritoneal covering and obtain a view of the underlying structures. The cystic duct and the cystic artery are identified, clipped with tiny titanium clips and cut. Then the gallbladder is dissected away from the liver bed and removed through one of the ports. This type of surgery requires meticulous surgical skill, but in straightforward cases can be done in about an hour.

Recently, this procedure is performed through a single incision in the paitent's umbilicus. This advanced technique is called Laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery or "LESS".

Procedural Risks and Complications

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not require the abdominal muscles to be cut, resulting in less pain, quicker healing, improved cosmetic results, and fewer complications such as infection and adhesions. Most patients can be discharged on the same or following day as the surgery, and most patients can return to any type of occupation in about a week.

An uncommon but potentially serious complication is injury to the common bile duct, which connects the gallbladder and liver. An injured bile duct can leak bile and cause a painful and potentially dangerous infection. Many cases of minor injury to the common bile duct can be managed non-surgically. Major injury to the bile duct, however, is a very serious problem and may require corrective surgery. This surgery should be performed by an experienced biliary surgeon.^[2]

Abdominal peritoneal adhesions, gangrenous gallbladders, and other problems that obscure vision are discovered during about 5% of laparoscopic surgeries, forcing surgeons to switch to the standard cholecystectomy for safe removal of the gallbladder. Adhesions and gangrene, of course, can be quite serious, but converting to open surgery does not equate to a complication.

A Consensus Development Conference panel, convened by the National Institutes of Health in September 1992, endorsed laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a safe and effective surgical treatment for gallbladder removal, equal in efficacy to the traditional open surgery. The panel noted, however, that laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed only by experienced surgeons and only on patients who have symptoms of gallstones.

In addition, the panel noted that the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is greatly influenced by the training, experience, skill, and judgment of the surgeon performing the procedure. Therefore, the panel recommended that strict guidelines be developed for training and granting credentials in laparoscopic surgery, determining competence, and monitoring quality. According to the panel, efforts should continue toward developing a noninvasive approach to gallstone treatment that will not only eliminate existing stones, but also prevent their formation or recurrence.

One common complication of cholecystectomy is inadvertent injury to an anomalous bile duct known as Ducts of Luschka, occurring in 33% of the population. It is non-problematic until the gall bladder is removed, and the tiny supravesicular ducts may be incompletely cauterized or remain unobserved, leading to biliary leak post operatively. The patient will develop biliary peritonitis within 5 to 7 days following surgery, and will require a temporary biliary stent. It is important that the clinician recognize the possibility of bile peritonitis early and confirm diagnosis via HIDA scan to lower morbidity rate. Aggressive pain management and antibiotic therapy should be initiated as soon as diagnosed.

Biopsy
After removal, the gall bladder should be sent for biopsy . (pathological examination) to confirm the diagnosis and look for an incidental cancer. If cancer is present, a reoperation to remove part of the liver and lymph nodes will be required in most cases

Long-Term Prognosis

A minority of the population, from 5% to 40%, develop a condition called postcholecystectomy syndrome, or PCS.^[4] Symptoms can include gastrointestinal distress and persistent pain in the upper right abdomen.

As many as twenty percent of patients develop chronic diarrhea. The cause is unclear, but is presumed to involve the disturbance to the bile system. Most cases clear up within weeks, though in rare cases the condition may last for many years. It can be controlled with drugs.

I am sure that I bored whoever just read this, but I was curious so I thought that I would share. I hope that I can do some functions at work next Thursday. I mean how hard can it be to count pills, check out customer's items, and walk to and from the break room? Not that hard, but the way I feel right now, I feel like I CAN'T do anything. I feel so weak it's not even funny. I hope that I will regain my strength soon. Until next post, God bless and have a great weekend!

Weak, in Pain, and Woke up too early..

2011-04-12T11:15:00.003-04:00

So I decided to blog for a while. I am Weak because I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. I am in Pain also because of the fact that I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. I should take some of my pain medications, but that makes me dizzy and drowsy, so I will wait on that for a little bit. I woke up too early because I went to bed at 10:30 after waking up at 10:00. I have never done that before and James thinks it's because of the medications and I have to admit, he's right on that one! I think that I mentioned on my last post that I had my blood drawn to see everything was OK and it was! On Saturday, I went back to the doctors because she wanted to test my blood again but this time for the fact that my iron is low. I haven't received those results yet, but I think I already know the answer. I am anemic (I think) and this is just confirming it. My doctor is also referring me to a fertility specialist in Shawnee Mission. I just need to fill out the necessary forms and mail them out so they can schedule me an appointment. Hope that everything goes well and there's no complications. I think that I am done for this entry so I will sign off. I think that I will take some of my pain medication and see if I can take a nap... Until the next post, have a great day and God bless!

Update...

2011-04-10T00:41:00.002-04:00

Remember when I said that I got blood drawn for tests? Well, the results are in! Everything is good! PTL!!!! I am really happy about this. Although my doctor wanted me to give more blood to figure out why my iron is so low (I am thinking that I am anemic, but I could be wrong). I will keep everyone (or whoever reads this) informed about what she finds out. Oh and the time changed on my surgery. It was supposed to be at 12pm, but it's now earlier. I don't know what time it is, but I do know that I have to be there at 9:45 versus 10:45am. My eyelids are droopy so I will sign off now. Have a great rest of the weekend and God Bless!

Interesting Week....

2011-04-07T21:24:00.002-04:00

I have had an interesting week and it's not over until tomorrow. On Monday, I went to the doctor's to see what James and I can do about trying to conceive again and ended up having my blood drawn (three vials total!!!) and the results came in, but unfortunately, I wasn't home to receive the call so I have to call tomorrow (pray please). I also went to the doctor's to see what they can do about this throat thing that has been bothering me and come to find out, it's my yes my fault. If I just took the Omeprazole like I was supposed to when I was done with my medication for H-Pylori, my throat wouldn't be hurting me. Come to find out, it's acid build-up and the only way to get rid of it is to take Omeprazole (generic for Prilosec). Go figure! I just rolled my eyes as I typed Go Figure! When it rains, it pours, I guess. My doctor also wanted to see if I was doing better from all the treatment when I had H-Pylori and I told her that I am fine; just had to watch what I was eating and I have had flare-ups every now and then and she told me that it would be best if I get my gallbladder removed since I am doing better. "It's better to get rid of it now while you are healthy than to have to deal with occasional flare-ups", she said. So today, I went to see the surgeon and she had no choice but to schedule a day for me to have my gallbladder removed (only because I told her that I am still in pain even though I am done with treatment). I am having it removed this Monday. A week from today, James and I are going to Iowa to spend time with his cousin, his wife, and their two girls...or so we thought. Just kidding... we are still going, but instead of me using my vacation hours, I am using my sick hours. Long story short, in order for me to get the time off for my surgery, I needed to use my sick hours and the fact that the time off the doctor wanted me to re cooperate coincides with the time that I am going to Iowa, Connie (Personnel Manager) figured that I should use my sick hours and save my vacation hours for another time. I will write here tomorrow when I find out my results from my blood work. To be continued...

New York! New York!

2011-03-27T19:57:00.005-04:00

This is what it looked like in Odessa, New York this time last year. With the exception of summer, I think it snowed so much that I lost count. Even during Spring it snowed. Didn't like living in New York for that reason. Here's a rare picture that you don't get to see everyday the sun setting as you are driving and you don't want to miss it so you have your spouse take the picture for you. I don't know why I am talking about New York maybe because today it's snowing and it's Spring and not to mention that we are in KANSAS not NEW YORK anymore. Here's a picture that James took of the moon while he was on the balcony of our apartment here in Lawrence. I am thankful James has a good eye for the camera or else, who knows? I am in a good mood because of the fact that I can say that my throat is 100% better! Yup, 100% better and it's because of the Nurse Practitioner , Ivan Hart! He's the one who gave me the great meds and now I am feeling grrreeaattt!!! On a negative note though, James is still sick. I hope that he gets better before he comes back to Kansas on Friday. I guess that's all I have for now. Until next post, God bless!

Complete Randomness

2011-03-27T15:21:00.006-04:00

Josh Groban (click on the link to hear the song if you want to hear it) This song is one of my favorites by him. The name of the song is called, "Mai". Even though I don't know what he is saying, it's soothing and I pretend like as if I can sing along with him. I am also testing to see if I can upload videos on here. This video is quite old. This is from Christmas 2010, my niece Cara's first one. Don't ask me why I am putting this on here. If this works, I can put more videos on here. Video didn't work so I deleted it. Oh and by the way, my throat is better! 100% better! Can't wait to go back to work tomorrow and most importantly, I can't wait until James comes back from New York on Thursday! Let me tell you, being sick and not having your husband around not good! Well, I am going to sign off for now.

Happy Birthday

2011-03-26T21:24:00.003-04:00

This time last year was hard for me because it would've been or darn near close to my baby's first birthday. Today, I am smiling because I know that my baby is in heaven looking down at it's cousin because he turned 14 and it's Grandma because she turned 56. I am not crying this time and it feels good. I know that I am better than what I was last year. I just really can't wait to get pregnant again. I know that I will in time, it's just that I am a bit impatient that's all. April 4th is when we go to the doctor to see what steps we need to take in order to get me pregnant again. I am thinking that the doctor should just give me Clomid (a fertility drug) and see how that goes. I have heard that there's wicked side effects, but I am ready for them. I have taken drugs that leave a metallic taste in my mouth, make me become an insomniac, and there's one that I forgot to take food with it, and boy did it kick my butt in a bad way! So, bring on side effects!! There's nothing and I do repeat nothing that can bring me down. One thing can bring me down. And that is the doctor telling me that I can't concieve again. I don't want to think about that right now. If that's the case though, James and I will adopt. I hate to sound selfish, but I want a child that James and I made together. Does that sound so bad? I am going to be writing on here more often to talk about the journey that James and I will go through and how it's affecting us as a couple. I just hope and pray that this will bring us even closer than we are now. Goodness, when I thought that I had to have my gallbladder removed, he was there for me, when it turned out it was just H-Pylori, he was there for me, when I had my scope done (even though he had to work), he was there for me. Every now and then I forget that I have an awesome husband, but then when things happen to me, it reminds me that indeed I do have an awesome husband and I couldn't thank God more! Until the next post, have a great Saturday and God bless!

Random Thought

2011-03-24T15:51:00.004-04:00

According to Wikipedia, the definition of a Sore Throat is: A throat pain is a common physical symptom usually caused by acute pharyngitis, or throat inflammation, though it also occurs in a number of other situations, such as post trauma and in diphtheria. It can cause mild to extreme pain. Treatment for Sore throat is: Analgesics such as NSAIDs (Ibuprofen) and paracetamol (acetaminophen) help significantly in the management of pain.Steroids are also useful in this respect. The Mayo clinic mentions some tips, including gargling with warm, salty water, resting the voice and avoiding air pollution.

The following came from a website I found named Remedies. The discomfort of a sore throat can be from a number of reasons including a bacterial or viral infection to the throat. A scratchy, irritated throat can also be a result of laryngopharyngeal reflux. If there are white spot on tonsils and sore throat pain, this may be a result of a viral contagious infection which will respond to antibiotics. If a high fever, enlarged lymph nodes, rash, or continuous pain for several days is present, it is best to see a doctor for the appropriate medication. Untreated strep throat can lead to other serious health conditions like kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever. Bacterial infections may not necessarily need antibiotics. However, there are some sore throat home remedies which may ease the symptoms of any type of sore throat, whether antibiotics are also needed or not.

Here are ten of the top sore throat home remedies:

1. Have a cup of something warm like tea with a bit of honey or lemon.

2. Blend a half teaspoon of salt to a cup of water and gargle with this mixture several time a day.

3. While sore throat remedies include drinking warm liquids, a cold popsicle or frozen fruit bar would also be as soothing to some.

4. Throat lozenges or hard candies will increase the saliva and be very helpful for a sore throat. Since this can be a choking hazard, this remedy is best for adults only.

5. Keep moisture in the air by use of a humidifier or vaporizer. If you do not have one handy, add steam in the air by boiling a big pot of water for a few minutes.

6. Take a long, steamy shower. This will be beneficial just as a humidifier would be.

7. Over the counter medications like acetaminophen should be used for pain. Children should not be given aspirin products.

8. Analgesic spray squirted to the throat is a topical treatment to ease pain.

9. To keep you throat sufficiently lubricated, drink plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses per day.

10. Get plenty of rest so your body has the full strength to fight the infection.

Why am I talking about this? Reason is because I had a scope done to see what was wrong with my stomach (come to find out that I had H-Pylori but that's a different subject all together) and the doctors told me that my throat would be a little sore for a day or two. That was February 11. Today is March 24th and it's still sore. It has gotten worse to the point that I am being referred to an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist. I went to the Doctor's yesterday and he gave me a Z-Pak, Medrol Dose Pak, and Liquid Hydrocodone 7.5. He also told me that I shouldn't work because I should rest my voice. I tried that yesterday and I believe only one person helped me with that and let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant. So as of today and tomorrow, I am not working. Don't worry, I have personal and sick hours to use (thank goodness!!!). So I am just going to relax here at home and just do nothing. James is in Ithaca until next Thursday so I will just make myself useful and again, not do anything. Feels quite good to be honest. I just hope that I don't have Mono (they thought I could have that even though they didn't test me yet).

I guess I called this entry, Random Thought because I was really frustrated at work because I wanted to rest my voice and unfortunately it wasn't a success. First entry of 2011 and this is what I write about?! Go figure! Hey, it's a start, right? Until the next entry, have a great weekend and God Bless!

I'm Happy for You...Really

2010-10-05T23:33:00.002-04:00

Well, yesterday, I did the unthinkable at work. I cried. I cried so hard that it made one Pharmacist cry, too. The Pharmacy Manager announced that she's pregnant. You would think that they were happy tears, but in fact, they weren't. They were jealous tears. I so want to be pregnant again it's not even funny.
I know that I will become pregnant again, it's all up to God and when he wants me to, but lately I have been a little too impatient. Going on Facebook isn't a good thing for someone who wants to be pregnant again. I just read that someone is expecting and another one just gave birth. It makes me happy for them and yet sad for me. I know I will be pregnant again, I just can't stress about it because it only makes it worse.

Too Much Information?

2010-09-13T23:03:00.003-04:00

****Warning, this entry may contain information that you may not want to read let alone hear, but I need to talk about it and this is the only place I think deems appropriate****
As some of you or whoever reads this, James and I are trying to conceive again.
I started getting UTIs back in April after James and I decided that was a good time to start again after miscarrying. The first time I had one, I had no CLUE to what was going on. I was such in pain that I took acetominophen three times that day hoping it would get rid of it and it did...for that day...and it continued to go on and on for months like this until when I was here in Lawrence and went to the ER and they told me that I had a UTI.
The problem with trying to conceive again is the fact that I keep on getting UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) and I feel that it will be a burden for me. But I have yet to give up. Looking on the Internet and reading online to see or let alone read that I am not alone in this makes me feel better. In fact, it feels good to know that there's hope for me. I will get insurance beginning in January and when that happens, I can see an OBGYN and see what she has to say in the matter. I found these tips online and I figure that this is and I do mean this is the only way I can treat myself for now: go to the bathroom before and after you make love, drink tons and tons of cranberry juice and water.
Just by doing the following of what I just mentioned, I think make that I know that I will still be getting UTIs but not as often. I know that I can get through anything with God and James by my side, but there are times that I feel that I am defeated by this thing. Then again, I know that I am not and I won't back down either.

Random Thoughts....

2010-07-03T11:23:00.005-04:00

According to Wikipedia, A hug is a form of physical intimacy, not necessarily sexual, that usually involves closing or holding the arms around another person or group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of love and affection, along with kissing. Unlike some other forms of physical intimacy, it is practiced publicly and privately without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines.
Sometimes, hugs are a romantic exchange. Hugs may also be exchanged as a sign of support and comfort. A hug can be a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising out of joy or happiness at meeting someone.
Brief in most cases, it is used to show many levels of affection. It is not particular to human beings alone, as there are many species of animals that engage in similar exchanges of warmth.
Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin, and reduce blood pressure.
There are different variations of hugs. Prolonged hugging in a cozy, comfortable position is called cuddling. Spooning is a cuddling position, a kind of hugging when both the hugger and the hugged persons face the same direction, i.e., the front of one person is in contact with the back of the second one. The person whose front is in contact with the other's back is referred to as the "Big Spoon" and the person whose back is in contact with the other's front in referred to as the "Little Spoon". In May 2009, the New York Times reported that "the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days" in the United States.
Despite hugging being widespread across human culture, several cultures - such as the Himba in Namibia - do not embrace as a sign of affection or love.

The following came from an article that I found on NY Times Website:
"For Teenagers, Hello Means, 'How About a Hug?'"
There is so much hugging at Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, N.J., that students have broken down the hugs by type: There is the basic friend hug, probably the most popular, and the bear hug, of course. But now there is also the bear claw, when a boy embraces a girl awkwardly with his elbows poking out. There is the hug that starts with a high-five, then moves into a fist bump, followed by a slap on the back and an embrace.
There’s the shake and lean; the hug from behind; and, the newest addition, the triple — any combination of three girls and boys hugging at once.
“We’re not afraid, we just get in and hug,” said Danny Schneider, a junior at the school, where hallway hugging began shortly after 7 a.m. on a recent morning as students arrived. “The guy friends, we don’t care. You just get right in there and jump in.”
There are romantic hugs, too, but that is not what these teenagers are talking about.
Girls embracing girls, girls embracing boys, boys embracing each other — the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days. Teachers joke about “one hour” and “six hour” hugs, saying that students hug one another all day as if they were separated for the entire summer.
A measure of how rapidly the ritual is spreading is that some students complain of peer pressure to hug to fit in. And schools from Hillsdale, N.J., to Bend, Ore., wary in a litigious era about sexual harassment or improper touching — or citing hallway clogging and late arrivals to class — have banned hugging or imposed a three-second rule.
Parents, who grew up in a generation more likely to use the handshake, the low-five or the high-five, are often baffled by the close physical contact. “It’s a wordless custom, from what I’ve observed,” wrote Beth J. Harpaz, the mother of two boys, 11 and 16, and a parenting columnist for The Associated Press, in a new book, “13 Is the New 18.”
“And there doesn’t seem to be any other overt way in which they acknowledge knowing each other,” she continued, describing the scene at her older son’s school in Manhattan. “No hi, no smile, no wave, no high-five — just the hug. Witnessing this interaction always makes me feel like I am a tourist in a country where I do not know the customs and cannot speak the language.”
For teenagers, though, hugging is hip. And not hugging?
“If somebody were to not hug someone, to never hug anybody, people might be just a little wary of them and think they are weird or peculiar,” said Gabrielle Brown, a freshman at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School in Manhattan.
Comforting as the hug may be, principals across the country have clamped down. “Touching and physical contact is very dangerous territory,” said Noreen Hajinlian, the principal of George G. White School, a junior high school in Hillsdale, N.J., who banned hugging two years ago. “It was needless hugging — they are in the hallways before they go to class. It wasn’t a greeting. It was happening all day.”
Schools that have limited hugging invoked longstanding rules against public displays of affection, meant to maintain an atmosphere of academic seriousness and prevent unwanted touching, or even groping.
But pro-hugging students say it is not a romantic or sexual gesture, simply the “hello” of their generation. “We like to get cozy,” said Katie Dea, an eighth grader at Claire Lilienthal Alternative School in San Francisco. “The high-five is, like, boring.”
Some sociologists said that teenagers who grew up in an era of organized play dates and close parental supervision are more cooperative with one another than previous generations — less cynical and individualistic and more loyal to the group.
But Amy L. Best, a sociologist at George Mason University, said the teenage embrace is more a reflection of the overall evolution of the American greeting, which has become less formal since the 1970s. “Without question, the boundaries of touch have changed in American culture,” she said. “We display bodies more readily, there are fewer rules governing body touch and a lot more permissible access to other people’s bodies.”
Hugging appears to be a grass-roots phenomenon and not an imitation of a character or custom on TV or in movies. The prevalence of boys’ nonromantic hugging (especially of other boys) is most striking to adults. Experts say that over the last generation, boys have become more comfortable expressing emotion, as embodied by the MTV show “Bromance,” which is now a widely used term for affection between straight male friends.
But some sociologists pointed out that African-American boys and men have been hugging as part of their greeting for decades, using the word “dap” to describe a ritual involving handshakes, slaps on the shoulders and, more recently, a hug, also sometimes called the gangsta hug among urban youth.
“It’s something you grow up doing,” said Mazi Chiles, a junior at South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Ga., who is black. “But you don’t come up to a dude and hug, you start out with a handshake.”
Some parents find it paradoxical that a generation so steeped in hands-off virtual communication would be so eager to hug.
“Maybe it’s because all these kids do is text and go on Facebook so they don’t even have human contact anymore,” said Dona Eichner, the mother of freshman and junior girls at the high school in Montvale.
She added: “I hug people I’m close to. But now you’re hugging people you don’t even know. Hugging used to mean something.”
There are, too, some young critics of hugging.
Amy Heaton, a freshman at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md., said casual social hugging seemed disingenuous to her. “Hugging is more common in my opinion in people who act like friends,” she said. “It’s like air-kissing. It’s really superficial.”
But Carrie Osbourne, a sixth-grade teacher at Claire Lilienthal Alternative School, said hugging was a powerful and positive sign that children are inclined to nurture one another, breaking down barriers. “And it gets to that core that every person wants to feel cared for, regardless of your age or how cool you are or how cool you think you are,” she said.
As much as hugging is a physical gesture, it has migrated online as well. Facebook applications allowing friends to send hugs have tens of thousands of fans. Katie Dea, the San Francisco eighth grader, as well as Olivia Brown, 11, who lives in Manhattan and is the younger sister of Gabrielle, the LaGuardia High freshman, have a new sign-off for their text and e-mail messages: *hug.*

I am not quite sure why I am writing a post about hugs. Maybe it's because whenever I am down or just having a bad day, James always gives me a hug and it makes me feel better. Then again, on Wednesday, I was walking towards the breakroom and one of my co-workers, Nick just asked me if I was mad and I said I wasn't, but out of no where, he gave me a hug and it made my day go from bad to great in that moment. I don't know what the deal is with men giving women hugs, women giving women hugs, women giving men hugs and men giving men hugs. In other words, if a man gives a woman a hug, people would wonder if there is something going on between them and vice versa. When a woman gives another woman a hug, it's usually a sign of hello or just to comfort them if they are having a bad day. To be honest with you, I have never seen a man do that to another man. I guess they (meaning men) pat them on the back and it's "understood" of what they are trying to say.

Another random thought brought to you by yours truly!

Coming Home

2010-05-21T21:01:00.003-04:00

Every time I start an entry, I don't finish it. I have at least 4 or 5 entries I have started and I haven't finished them. What's wrong with this picture? And when I leave them, I don't remember what I wanted to write in them. I tried to update this blog every now and then, but I got distracted with the fact that James and I moving back to Kansas and everything went downhill from there.

So let me tell you about the journey back to Kansas...

James and I planned on coming to Kansas together in May make that the weekend of Mother's Day. I called the Lawrence Walmart and told them that I wanted to transfer back home and from what they said, it looked like I was going to go back there at anytime so I had to email my District Manager on when I was leaving so I told him Mother's Day weekend but it could be sooner than that. He didn't like that answer so I had to tell him Mother's Day weekend.
I got the call that I knew was somewhat coming: they (meaning the Lawrence Walmart) want me and they want me NOW. And that was the weekend of April 10. Dennis the Pharmacy Manager wasn't too thrilled that I was leaving to begin and the fact that I was leaving earlier than expected, it made it worse.
I told James that I got the call and he was totally thrilled that I got the transfer, but disappointed that I had to become a cashier and not to mention that I will be losing $1.45 an hour.

After typing this, I don't think anyone wants to read about me coming home. Let's just say that I am back in Lawrence and for some really odd reason, I want to go back to New York! Crazy, isn't it?

My Horoscope for today...

2009-11-23T09:50:00.000-05:00

There's something that you're holding on to that you need to let go of Cancer. There are things that we are so attached to that we try to defeat the laws of nature to continue to hold on to that attachment. It is apparently time for you to refocus, transition, and let go of what once was so that you can look ahead into what the stars promise to be a more prosperous future. Don't let disappointment or and the sense of loss get you down now, you have too much to look forward to.

Kind of ironic, isn't it?

Around this time....

2009-11-14T10:19:00.002-05:00

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us" -Helen Keller

Around this time...
I would be 21 weeks pregnant

and I would feel the baby kicking me, I would know (hopefully) if it was a boy or a girl....
people would be able to tell that I am pregnant because of the "bump"....

Some people ask me how I am doing and I tell them that I am doing fine. In reality, I am. I doing just fine. I just don't like to be reminded of it whenever I see certain people. Like yesterday at work, one of my co-workers asked me how the baby was doing and I told her that I lost it and surprisingly enough, I didn't cry or anything. And she quickly changed the subject and I was so happy that she did.

Although when the old Pharmacist that I used to work with just came out of no where and asked me why didn't I tell him that I was pregnant or that I miscarried, I cried. I didn't expect that from him let alone the first thing that would come out of his mouth. No sympathy from that man whatsoever.

James and I decided that we want to wait a little longer to start trying again. Not a lot of people know this, but James and I are moving back to Kansas in April and we feel that if I got pregnant again, we would have no choice but to stay here in New York and trust me, that's something WE DON'T want to do!

You want to know how I got through this? I have one answer: God and James. I really don't know what I would do if God wasn't a part of James and I's lives...especially when this happened. God is totally awesome!!! He has helped me heal and as a matter of fact, this has brought James and I closer than before.

I am sorry that this was a somber post, but then again, it could be worse. It could be a post about work and I am sure that you don't want to read about that. Believe it or not, this really does help me heal and everyday I am healed (if that makes sense).

Well, until the next post, have a great weekend and God Bless!

Haven't Done This in a While....

2009-10-12T20:19:00.002-04:00

"Dance as though no one is watching you, Love as though you have never been hurt before, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though heaven on Earth" -Souza

Goodness, it has been how long (?) since I have written in this blog of mine. Just to keep you or whomever reads this updated but just to give a fair warning, some of what I am about to say could be disgusting or just TMI (too much information):

I finally started my period after miscarrying over a month ago. I am happy that it finally came again because that means everything is everything and before you know it, James and I could start trying again!

I am officially driving to and from Odessa all by myself (without James being in the car with me) and let me tell you, it's a wonderful and I do mean wonderful feeling!!! Ever since I got into that car accident two months ago, I thought that I wouldn't be able to drive again. But with the help of God and James, I am able to and I couldn't be any happier than I am now!!! Although I have to face driving in the snow by myself and I am not looking forward to that at all.

With the exception of this constant headache that I have been having, I am doing ok health wise. Just keep on having these and it's been on-going since last Monday. Just when I thought that it (the headache) was gone, it would show up again. Today, it came with full-force and I wasn't prepared for it at all. I went home a half hour early because I couldn't stand the pain anymore; I cried like a baby today when I was on my break. I took Excedrin Migraine and it touch a little bit of it, and then it came back. So just now, I took two Naproxen 500mg and I hope that I will be able to sleep well tonight.

The old Pharmacist that I used to work with Joe, came from South Carolina to visit with his girlfriend Peg and of course he asked me the question that I was dreading him to ask: why didn't I tell him that I was pregnant and that I miscarried? I broke down right there. Just when you think that you can get pass this (miscarrying and all), someone throws you a curve ball and you start over again. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to tell him, but I didn't want Lori to tell him. Does that make sense? I hope so because for some reason, he didn't understand it. Overall, it was good to see him, but I just wish he didn't ask me that question. The day would've been a little better than it was if he didn't ask me that.

I think that I am done updating right now. It's October 12 and right now it feels like it's Decemeber 21; yup, it's that COLD. Typical New York weather I am telling you. Up, down, and all around, in a New York minute the weather can just turn from hot to cold and vice versa. Well, I am going to sign off now. Until the next post, have a great week and God Bless!

If you believe in prayer or just hope, please hope or pray that this headache won't be a constant stress in my life because it really really sucks.

V is for...Venting!!!

2009-09-12T14:32:00.003-04:00

Ah, it's Saturday! I have the weekend off and I thought that I would vent for today. I know I shouldn't vent, but I can't keep this to myself.
Before I vent, I found this online from a health writer by the name of Melissa Dahl. She wrote an article about venting and I thought that I would share it with whomever reads this blog of mine.

"Quit Complaining---it may make you feel worse" Venting to friends about problems is unhelpful and unhealthy, experts say.
When confronted with a problem, Ashley Merydith has a routine for dealing with it: She talks about it. Incessantly. To anyone who will listen.

“‘So he did this, and then I said this, and then he texted me this,’” says Merydith, 23, describing the intricacies of a venting session. “It’s basically rehashing every conversation.”

Her goal is to get it off her chest and feel better about the issue. But often, Merydith finds that venting about her problems has the exact opposite effect. “It makes you more amped up about the problem,” says Merydith, of Charlotte, N.C. Voicing your frustrations is a natural way of dealing with them — but watch out for when a conversation dissolves into a bitch session. Talking your problems to death can make you feel even worse.

A recent study found that teenage girls who vented to each other about their problems, from boy trouble to social slights, were more likely to develop depression and anxiety — and the same is likely true for adult women, says Amanda Rose, the author of the study.
“There’s a definite belief in our culture that talking about our problems makes you feel better,” says Rose, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Missouri, Columbia, whose research was published in the July issue of Developmental Psychology. “That’s true in moderation. ... It only becomes risky when it becomes excessive.”

Be more like a boy
Rose also studied the venting habits of young men, but found that guys don’t tend to analyze their problems as deeply as women. That might be because relationship issues tend to spark the most obsessive discussions, and that’s a subject women are more likely to dwell on.
Sometimes a kvetching session can spiral out of control, admits 21-year-old Amanda Beattie. Instead of making her feel better about the problem, it reinforces the small fears she already had — or even introduces new ones.
“It goes from statements about how I’m feeling to, ‘OK, so-and-so must hate me,’ to ‘I bet they never liked me in their life,’” says Beattie, who lives in Kansas City, Mo. “The more you talk, it hypes up your emotions.”
Still, there’s an upside to all that complaining. Rose points out that in her findings, the girls who vented to each other also reported feeling closer to their friends. It can establish an instant bond because the listeners know the complainer trusts them enough to spill their emotions — and the complainer’s just grateful that someone is willing to listen.
For 24-year-old Elizabeth Spencer-Green, a good griping session has often been a way to connect with other women. When she first moved to Seattle as a teenager, she hated her new school — and she bonded with a group of girls who felt the same way.
“I guess I used that as a way to fit in,” says Spencer-Green, who now lives in New York City.
But she noticed that as she complained with her friends about how much she hated the school, she started to hate it even more.

Confirming worst fears
That’s the danger of talking to friends who let you wallow in your sorrows. It can confirm your worst fears: Maybe you weren’t overreacting. He really did wrong you. She really was flirting with him.
And now you’re convinced: This is so a big deal.
“If I tell you my problem, and the way you listen to me is sort of agreeing with me, then it escalates the feeling, without having a practical solution for it,” says Matthew Anderson, a psychologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. Instead of spilling your problems to those friends who encourage your rants, turn to someone who’ll point you toward a solution.
In Beattie’s case, that was her mom. Beattie was stressed about the tension between herself and her co-workers at her new internship, and she called her mom to talk about it.
“She’d let me run out of steam, and then she’d remind me of what I needed to do to remedy the situation,” says Beattie.
Psychologists also warn against ranting over and over to the same audience. You don’t want to become known as the complainer of the group. That can take a toll on friendships; it’s draining to be around someone who’s always moaning about their troubles.
When faced with someone who’s intent on wallowing in their problems, give them some time to talk it out — maybe 15 minutes, suggests Annette Annechild, a marriage and family counselor in Del Ray Beach, Fla. After that, move away from complaining and on to problem solving.
Merydith, the conversation rehasher, says she’s trying to redirect her venting habit into healthier territory by seeking solutions instead of just complaining. “If you talk about it forever and ever, at some point, you have to be like, ‘OK, let’s move on.’”

I thought that I was going to vent, but instead, I found an article about it. So I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did and until the next post, have a great weekend and God Bless!

Sometimes....

2009-09-07T11:28:00.002-04:00

Today is Labor Day, September 7 and I haven't written on here since August so I thought that I would enlighten or just write on here to amuse myself or whomever reads this.

Sometimes I wish that I could turn back time and do things differently.
These are what I wish I could have done while I was in college. I wish that I could have majored in Nursing instead of English. Did something more productive while I was in college (besides being a sorority for two semesters). Spoke my mind when I was put down instead of hiding behind my shadow. I wish that I went out more. I don't mean drinking every night, but at least go dancing with my friends and meeting more people. Going to more sporting events like football, basketball (especially basketball), soccer, and track.

Sometimes I wish that I can be more outspoken.
I know that I have mentioned that I wish that I could've spoke my mind while I was in college, but when I am at work, I tend to clam-up and not say anything when someone expects me to do so much when there are others out there that can do the exact same thing that I can do but choose not to because I am the one that always does it (does that make sense?). I just realized that I made a run-on sentence. Gosh, being an English major always seems to catch up with me and right now, it just did.

Sometimes I wish that I could be happy with what I look like.
James and I have officially started our infamous "diet" today. I want to lose weight. When I was pregnant, I had to do a physical and when they weighed me, I weighed 253 pounds!!! I couldn't believe it! 253 pounds!!! I should be 153 pounds not 253!! I told James that I would love to weigh 153 again. Actually, the smallest I have been was 145 when I was in high school. James has always said that he loves me for who am and not what my weight is, but deep inside, I just want to be the way I used to be...be in high school that is.

Sometimes I wish I could get pregnant again...NOW!
When I was pregnant, I was so happy and excited that I was carrying something inside of me that James and I made together and when I found out that I miscarried almost a month ago, it ripped me apart. I am finally done bleeding and a part of me wishes that James and I can start again with trying to get pregnant regardless of what the doctor told me to do (he told me to wait a couple of cycles before trying). Then again, right now isn't a good time for me to be pregnant. We have so many bills and me being pregnant again would only make it a little worse. Then again, James and I do have insurance so who really knows?

Since I am in the "sometimes" mode, I thought that I would put lyrics from a song called "Sometimes" by Britney Spears. Granted it's not one of my favorites, but I just thought that I would put some of the lyrics that include my theme word of the day.
Sometimes I run
Sometimes I hide
Sometimes I'm scared of you
But all I really want is to hold you tight
Treat you right, be with you day and night
Baby all I need is time

I am done with my "sometimes" blog. So until the next time I write on here, have a good Labor Day, good week, and God Bless!

Wouldn't Couldn't Shouldn't and finally Can't

2009-08-30T11:07:00.002-04:00

Take a deep breath, phew! OK, now that's taken care of...here goes nothing...
Oh and by the way, if you haven't read the previous blog wouldacouldashoulda, this wouldn't make sense. Then again, it just may.

Before I get into this, I am sure that some people who read my blog didn't understand what I was talking about. On July 19, I found out that I was pregnant. I was so excited, but fearing miscarriage, I didn't tell anyone except for my in-laws and my family. The wouldacouldashoulda blog was about me finally saying out "loud" that I am pregnant, when I was over my first trimester. Unfortunately, the baby didn't last that long for me to make the "big" announcement.
On Wednesday, I saw some brown discharge. I was freaking out because I thought that I was miscarrying. James' mother told me not to worry because she has had some brown discharge when she was pregnant and everything turned out fine. She even showed me a website just to calm my nerves. I pretended that I was fine I guess just to shut her up, but I knew (call it hind-sight) that something was wrong. When I got home, I looked up brown discharge even further and some women who had brown discharge ended up miscarrying. I knew it. I knew then that I was miscarrying. The next morning, I had brown discharge still, but nothing red like blood so I went to work. That's when it happened. Sean went to break and it was just Dennis and myself. The District Manager, Bill came in shortly after. I was just working and I felt something strange so I went into the bathroom and I stuck my finger down my pants and I saw red. I told Dennis that I am miscarrying and he told me to take a break and from there, I called my doctor and I had to leave work immediately.
The doctor told me that I was measuring 7 weeks, but I told him that I was 9 weeks. That's when he told me that the baby died a week or two ago. I didn't even know. Had no blood no strong cramps that would tell me that I need to go to the doctor immediately.
I COULDN'T make sense of all of this when I found out, but when it happened, I knew that I WOULDN'T be able to keep this all to myself. I knew that I SHOULDN'T keep it away from my parents, in-laws, and close friend because I am not that good at keeping things to myself. When friends and family that found out that I miscarried, I knew that I SHOULDN'T say that I am fine when I knew that I wasn't. I COULDN'T go back to work the next day because the baby was still passing through me so I am out of work until Wednesday. The baby finally passed me on Friday and it wasn't good. I was in pain physically and emotionally.
I SHOULDN'T say that it was my fault because it wasn't. Like my Mom said, maybe God didn't want me to be pregnant at this time. Maybe He wanted me to do a "trial run" like my mother-in-law said. I know that I want to be pregnant again, but when I am not totally sure. I have somedays that I want to try again, but I don't want to rush myself.
There's a song by The William Brothers called "I CAN'T cry Hard Enough" and I think that this song perfectly fits what I am going through right now. Here are the lyrics:
I'm gonna live my life like every days' the last without a simple goodbye it all goes by so fast and now that you're gone I CAN'T cry heard enough I CAN'T cry hard enough for you to hear me now gonna open my eyes and see for the first time I've let go of you like a child letting go of his kite There it goes up in the sky there it goes beyond the clouds for no reason why I CAN'T cry hard enough No, I CAN'T cry hard enough for you to hear me now gonna look back in vain and see you standing there when all that remains is just an empty chair and now that you're gone I CAN'T cry hard enough, I CAN'T cry hard enoughfor you to hear me now There it goes, up in the sky there it goes beyond the clouds for no reason why I CAN'T cry hard enough, no I CAN'T cry hard enough for you to hear me now.
Typing this makes me feel better in fact, it makes me heal. I am doing much better than I was Thursday, Friday, and part of Saturday. Sorry to whoever reads this. I didn't intend to make anyone sad. I hope that I can write on here that I am so many months pregnant and that we are having a boy/girl. Until the next blog everyone, have a good week and God bless!

When You Fall, You Have to...

2009-08-11T21:23:00.003-04:00

Pick yourself up and walk again. That's what I have to keep on telling myself.
Wow, two blogs written in the same day. Who would've thunk it? I guess I am making up for the fact that I haven't written on here for so long. Anyways... A week ago today, I got into a car accident. Scared the living daylights out of me. We haven't had a car for a week and just today, we got our rental car and it's supposed to last us only five days. I really hope that we get our car back sooner rather than later. Tomorrow is Wednesday...only three more days until I have a day off. I know that I can I will gain the confidence to drive again. Goodness, I drove home tonight with James and besides breaking, I think that I did ok. Tomorrow and the next three days I know that I can do this. I mean I was driving fine before the accident. God, please just watch over me that's all I ask. Until the next time I write another post, have a wonderful week and God bless!

Would, Could, Should

2009-08-11T21:09:00.005-04:00

I WOULD love to talk about it, but I COULD keep it to myself, or SHOULD I?
COULD I talk about it even though some people WOULD ask me so many questions that I can't answer? Or better yet, I SHOULD keep it to myself until I feel that I am ready. Sometimes I feel like I COULD talk about it, yet I am scared on how everyone WOULD react to it? Maybe good, maybe bad, maybe fantastic, maybe heck! I really don't know. SHOULD I talk about it? Maybe this COULD help me, but I really don't know if this WOULD. Only time will tell I guess. I am sure that whoever reads this blog may find it confusing, but it will all make sense soon. I promise.

Oh How The Years Have Gone By....

2009-08-07T20:25:00.003-04:00

Today, James and I have been married for 5 years!!! Yes, 5 whole years!! Who would've thunk it? Just thought that I would share the three most important pictures of our lives.

Dating Picture:

"Engagement" Picture:

Wedding Picture:

Happy 5th Anniversary, James!! Thanks for your love, support, shoulder, and especially yourself! I am looking forward to many many more years with you so cheers!

Haven't Done This In a While...

2009-07-18T11:44:00.003-04:00

Goodness, I haven't written in this in over a month. So here comes some updates:

Update 1: My Mom is completely free and clear of Malaria. Thank you all who thought and prayed for her. She's back to her normal self and it's scary yet cute to have her back to herself again.
Update 2: As for me driving, it's going good. Great in fact. The only issue is driving back from Ithaca. I haven't done it yet...goodness, I really don't know what's holding me back, I guess it's the fact that James really enjoys driving back when I am the one who drives to Ithaca. All in due time I guess.
Update 3: I turned 30 June 23 and James turned 30 July 2. I feel that I don't look like I am 30 (I still don't have any gray hairs on my head) and that I am still in my 20s let alone teens...then again, it's more like I am still in my 20s. James on the other hand, I feel that he looks like he is 30 because he has a lot more gray hair than he did last year and I think that his losing more of it(even though I can't prove it).
Update 4: Even though I really shouldn't call this an update, James and I are still trying to renovate the house and let me tell you it's a work in progress! It's so hard to work on the house when we are both working. But let me tell you, when we finally have some free time (and not to mention more money), we can start on this new project of ours!

I guess that's all the updates I have for now. I will try and write more on here. It's just that I have been so busy with work that I don't have time. But I will make time for this. Until the next post, have a great weekend and God Bless!

Let's Play Catch Up....

2009-06-07T13:12:00.003-04:00

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek" -Mario Andretti

Wow, I haven't written in this thing in a month so I thought that I would write in here and keep everyone up-to-date on what's going on with me here in Odessa. Well, for starters, whoever is reading this, I need you to pray for my Mom. She has malaria. She has had this before and has beaten it, but me the worry wort that I am, I just need people to pray for her. She's getting better and she will see her doctor tomorrow (Monday).
OK, now that that's taken care of, I also need to keep everyone informed on how I am doing driving wise. Last week, from Tuesday through Thursday, I drove from Odessa to Ithaca without breaking a sweat. Then again, it felt good to drive in our car not his Father's. We got a 1998 Subaru Forrester and we are enjoying every moment of it. This week, I think that we (meaning his Father and I) are going to tackle myself driving to and from Odessa to Ithaca. I know that I can do this, but I am a little apprehensive about it. The reason is because I don't know if I will hit a deer or if I will be driving too slow for people to pass me and get annoyed. Then again, I know I will be able to do this. The more practice I get, the more determination and motivation I get and that's what I need right now.
Work is still work the only difference is that one particular technician is sick and tired of the way they are treated by the Pharmacy Manager. I can't really say that I blame her, but on the other hand, I was treated the exact same way by Joe (the old Pharmacy Manager). The technician almost got fired, but then again, who really knows at this point. I guess I am done for now. Until the next post, have a good week and God Bless!

You Can Do This! You Can Do This? You Can Do This?!

2009-05-05T21:20:00.003-04:00

"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through." -Rosalyn Carter
In May or June of 2004, I drove a huge moving truck (nothing like this but a little bigger and not to mention the fact that nothing fell out of the back) from Emporia, Kansas to Lawrence, Kansas. It was my first time driving since 1997. The weather was bad and not to mention that I was on a highway. James was in the car with me and we were praying make that James was praying like crazy making sure that everything was everything and with God by myside, I managed to get home. That was 2004. Again that was 2004. Fast forward to 2009. The last time that I drove anywhere was in 2004 before James and I got married. Once James and I got married, we moved here to Ithaca, New York and where we lived, everything was in walking distance and we didn't need a car. Now that James and I have moved to Odessa (where work is a half hour away), I have to drive in order to get to work. Today was the first time that I have driven since 2004 and let me tell you, I was totally scared. To be honest, I really don't know why I was scared. I knew how to get to Ithaca from Odessa, but to drive on that highway with all of those cars and James' father was right next to me telling me how good I was doing just killed it for me. He told me that I need to pick up the speed. I know that I can do this. I have the motivation and confidence to do this. I was talking to my co-workers about this and they told me it's understandable that I would freak out like this and I will get the hang of this soon. Even James told me that he wasn't disappointed in me or anything. In fact, he figured that I would do this today.
I just feel very disappointed in myself for freaking out the way that I did. I was 12 yes 12 miles away towards Ithaca before my father-in-law told me to pull over so he can drive (he was afraid that I was going to be late getting into work). James knows that I can do this and I am destined and determined to do this. In fact, I am hoping by the time that I turn 30 (which will be next month on the 23rd) I will beat this thing and kick it to the curb!
I don't ever want to be pulled over by the cops. The last time that I got pulled over by the cops was when my hazard lights weren't working and the Police Officer just gave me a warning. I just wanted to rant and I had no other place to do it so I decided to write on here. With God and James by myside, I know I can do this! I know I can do this? I know that I can do this?! Until next time, have a good night and God bless!

Welcome to...Odessa?!

2009-05-02T15:18:00.004-04:00

Today is May 2, 2009. This is my first Saturday here in Odessa and my first post for the month of May. Work this past week was crazy and hectic. I just don't have the words to describe it, but that all I know is that I am just glad that today is Saturday and I don't have to return until Monday. Yesterday, one Technician called off and talk about bad timing. The other Technician and I came in at the same time and besides the fact that she was my ride home, I couldn't stay any longer because we weren't supposed to have any overtime. Then the Pharmacist decided to call his boss to let him know that was going to be by himself for one yes one hour and no one was going to be back there to help him. I felt bad at first, but then I realized that this was going to be his first and only time to prove that he can handle being by himself even if it's only for an hour. I just hope that he did okay for that hour alone. The other Technician didn't seem to care that he was going to be by himself; in fact, I think that she wanted to see him suffer.
Today like I said before today is my first day here in Odessa and let me tell you, it's an adventure in itself. From seeing Wild Turkeys cross the roads to hearing absolutely nothing going by (meaning cars or people). I just hope and pray that I can get used to driving out here from driving to work to driving anywhere. I know I can I just need the motivation that's all.
I think that's all I am going to write about. I am sure that I am going to write more as the days progress, but right now this is all I have....for now. Until the next post, have a great weekend and God Bless!

There's No Place Like Ithaca, There's No Place Like Ithaca...

2009-04-20T11:52:00.005-04:00

"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar." -Helen Hayes

Spring has officially arrived here in Ithaca and I couldn't be happier. This is the last week that I am living in Ithaca. Like I mentioned in the changes blog, James and I are moving to Odessa on Saturday. I am excited yet anxious because I have never lived out in the country before, but I am sure with God and James by myside, anything and everything is possible. Living out in the country where you need a car to get everywhere versus living in a town where you don't need a car are two very different things. I know that I will miss Ithaca but on the other hand, I won't miss the fact that it's constantly loud and the fact that I won't be living in a apartment wasting my money on rent. I have nothing against living in a apartment, but James and I have been married for almost five years and you would think after being married for almost five years you would want to live in something other than an apartment. So this is what James and I are doing and his Father is just so happened to help us indirectly (by giving us a trailer and 1.5 acres of land for free).
I had yesterday and today off and you want to know what I did yesterday? In no particular order....Relax!!! Actually, I went bowling (which I felt that I sucked. Then again, this was the first time I have been bowling in 12 years!), went to the parks to feed the seagulls, geese ,and ducks , and went to church . And with the exception of church, I went bowling, out to lunch, and feeding the birds with some friends and I couldn't ask for anything more.
The best part about yesterday was going to church. Yesterday marked the last time that I will be going to church here in Ithaca so it was sad yet sentimental for me to go to church yesterday. I just hope that I find a good one around Odessa...wait, what am I talking about? There's nothing absolutley and I do mean absolutley nothing in Odessa (just a stoplight). So, I guess I will travel to Watkins Glen, New York (which is only about 20 minutes away from Odessa) to find a church.
Tomorrow, I go back to work after having two wonderful days off. I am not looking forward to it at all. Then again, I guess I am looking forward to it because this Friday, Kevin (this picture describes him because of the fact that he loves coffee; he drinks it like water) comes back from vacation!! Thank goodness! I can't explain it, but when he's not here, the Pharmacy isn't as fun or vibrant as it could be. What I mean by this is when Kevin is working, we (meaning the other technicians and the other Pharmacist) laugh, have fun, and enjoy ourselves (even if it means at the expense of the other Pharmacist).
Well, I am going to sign off for now. Until my next post, have a great week and God Bless!

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-12T15:18:00.003-04:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...-1 Peter 1:3
Happy Easter everyone! Can't believe that Easter is already here. Everyone whether they celebrate Easter or not, loves this holiday and I personally think it's because of the candy. Besides, Christmas and my birthday, I think by far this is my favorite holiday. I just realized just now that my birthday, Christmas, and Easter have something in common: all have to do with the birth of someone and the celebration of someone's birth (hope that made sense).
According to Wikipedia, "Easter is the most important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to Christian scripture, Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Christians celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday(also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday), two days after Good Friday and three days after Maundy Thursday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between A.D. 26 and 36. Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season. Traditionally the Easter Season lasted for the forty days from Easter Day until Ascension Day but now officially lasts for the fifty days until Pentecost. The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. Easter also marks the end of Lent, a season of fasting, prayer, and penance.
Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. Easter falls at some point between late March and late April each year (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity), following the cycle of the Moon. After several centuries of disagreement, all churches accepted the computation of the Alexandrian Church (now the Coptic Church) that Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first moon whose 14th day (the ecclesiastic "full moon") is on or after March 21 (the ecclesiastic "vernal equinox").
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover not only for much of its symbolism but also for its position in the calendar.
Cultural elements, such as the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts, have become part of the holiday's modern celebrations, and those aspects are often celebrated by many Christians and non-Christians alike."
The following comes from Wikipedia: "As with many other Christian dates, the celebration of Easter extends beyond the church. Since its origins, it has been a time of celebration and feasting and many Traditional Easter games and customs developed, such as Egg rolling, Egg tapping, Pace egging and Egg decorating. Today Easter is commercially important, seeing wide sales of greeting cards and confectionery such as chocolate Easter eggs, marshmallow bunnies, Peeps, and jelly beans. Even many non-Christians celebrate these aspects of the holiday while eschewing the religious aspects."
As you can see, the following are Easter Eggs. Here's the history of Easter Eggs according to Wikipedia: "Easter eggs are specially decorated eggs given to celebrate the Easter holiday or springtime.
The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in Pagan celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the rebirth.
The oldest tradition is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with confectionery such as jelly beans. These eggs are often hidden, allegedly by the Easter Bunny, for children to find on Easter morning. Otherwise, they are generally put in a basket filled with real or artificial straw to resemble a bird's nest." "The egg is widely used as a symbol of the start of new life, just as new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out.
The ancient Persians painted eggs for Nowrooz, their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox. The Nawrooz tradition has existed for at least 2,500 years. The decorated eggs are one of the core items to be placed on the Haft Seen, the Persian New Year display. The sculptures on the walls of Persepolis show people carrying eggs for Nowrooz to the king.
At the Jewish Passover Seder, a hard-boiled egg dipped in salt water symbolizes the festival sacrifice offered at the Temple in Jerusalem.
The pre-Christian Saxons had a spring goddess called Eostre, whose feast was held on the Vernal Equinox, around 21 March. Her animal was the spring hare. Some believe that Ēostre was associated with eggs and hares, and the rebirth of the land in spring was symbolised by the egg. Ēostre is known from the writings of Bede Venerabilis, a seventh-century Benedictine monk. Bede describes the pagan worship of Ēostre among the Anglo-Saxons as having died out before he wrote about it. Bede's De temporum ratione attributes her name to the festival, but does not mention eggs at all.
Other theories such as Jakob Grimm’s in the 18th Century believe in a pagan connection to Easter eggs via a putatively Germanic goddess called Ostara.
The English name for the festival of Easter derives from the Germanic word Eostre. It is only in Germanic languages that a derivation of Eostre marks the holiday. Most European languages use a term derived from the Hebrew pasch meaning Passover. In Spanish, for example, it is Pascua; in French, Pâques; in Dutch, Pasen; in Greek, Russian and the languages of most Eastern Orthodox countries: Pascha. In Middle English, the word was pasche, which is preserved in modern dialect words. Some languages use a term meaning Resurrection, such as Serbian Uskrs. Pope Gregory the Great ordered his missionaries to use old religious sites and festivals, and absorb them into Christian rituals where possible. The Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ was ideally suited to be merged with the Pagan feast of Eostre, and many of the traditions were adopted into the Christian festivities. There are also good grounds for the association between hares (later termed Easter bunnies) and eggs, through folklore confusion between hares' forms (where they raise their young) and plovers' nests."
Here are some Easter Egg traditions that are done all around the world (again from Wikipedia): "Egg hunt is a game during which decorated eggs, real hard-boiled ones or artificial ones filled with, or made of chocolate candies, of various sizes, are hidden for children to find, both indoors and outdoors. When the hunt is over, prizes may be given for the largest number of eggs collected, or for the largest or the smallest egg. Real eggs may further be used in egg tapping contests. In the North of England, at Eastertime, a traditional game is played where hard boiled pace eggs are distributed and each player hits the other player's egg with their own. This is known as "egg tapping", "egg dumping" or "egg jarping". The winner is the holder of the last intact egg. The losers get to eat their eggs. The annual egg jarping world championship is held every year over Easter in Peterlee Cricket Club. It is also practiced in Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and other countries. They call it tucanje. In parts of Austria, Bavaria and German-speaking Switzerland it is called Ostereiertitschen or Eierpecken. In South Louisiana this practice is called Pocking Eggs and is slightly different. The Cajuns hold that the winner eats the eggs of the losers in each round.
Egg rolling is also a traditional Easter egg game played with eggs at Easter. In England, Germany, and other countries children traditionally rolled eggs down hillsides at Easter.
This tradition was taken to the New World by European settlers.
Different nations have different versions of the game.
Egg dance is a traditional Easter game in which eggs are laid on the ground or floor and the goal is to dance among them without damaging any eggs which originated in Germany. In the UK the dance is called the hop-egg. The Pace Egg plays are traditional village plays, with a rebirth theme. The drama takes the form of a combat between the hero and villain, in which the hero is killed and brought to life, The plays take place in England during Easter."
Lastly, here's some information about the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny (or Easter Hare) is a mythical character depicted as an anthropomorphic rabbit. In legend, the creature brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house for the children to find when they wake up in the morning.
The Easter Bunny is very similar in trait to its Christmas holiday counterpart, Santa Claus, as they both bring gifts to good children on the night before their respective holiday. Its origin mentioned in print as early as 1620; can be traced to the German fertility goddess Ēostre. The Easter Bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have its origins in Alsace and southwestern Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1600s. The first edible Easter Bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar.
The Easter Bunny was introduced to America by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "O_ster Haws_e" (a phonetic transcription of a dialectal pronunciation of the German Osterhase) was considered one of "childhood's greatest pleasures," similar to the arrival of Kriist Kindle (from the German Christkindl) on Christmas Eve.
According to the tradition, children would build brightly colored nests, often out of caps and bonnets, in secluded areas of their homes. The "O_ster Haws_e" would, if the children had been good, lay brightly colored eggs in the nest. As the tradition spread, the nest has become the manufactured, modern Easter basket, and the placing of the nest in a secluded area has become the tradition of hiding baskets.
Parents of young children around the world fill children's Easter Baskets with presents, candy and the most famous chocolate bunny. Parents will wait until the children are asleep and then hide the baskets filled with candy and presents. When the children wake up they begin to look for their baskets."
Now that I have completely bored you with the History of Easter, Easter Eggs, and the Easter Bunny, I will sign off now. Tomorrow begins a long work week (I have to work six straight days in a row). I may have time to write on here, but then again, who really knows. I just hope that I do or even have time to write that I am still alive. Until the next post, have a great Sunday, Happy Easter, a good rest of the weekend! God Bless!

When it Rains It....

2009-04-10T22:14:00.002-04:00

Snows?! Yup, here in Ithaca a couple of days ago, it was snowing. One day it was just down pouring with rain and the very next day, we had snow. Nothing accumulated, but it was something worth mentioning. That's all for now. Until the next post, have a good weekend and God Bless!

Hello April!

2009-04-01T19:49:00.002-04:00

New Month New Post. Let's give it up for April!!
I guess there's really nothing that I need to write about here. Just hi and bye and have a good evening. Although it is getting warmer here in Ithaca. Of course it's not that warm that we can play in the pool: sweat our buns off: or even get a tan. It's just getting warm enough that we don't have to wear our heavy coats on. Well, on a good note, the Pharmacist that was mad at me on Monday has completely turned a new leaf ; it seemed like as if Monday never happened and for that I am totally and I do mean totally thrilled and elated about. I have to go to work tomorrow at 9 in the morning so you know what that means? I have to sign off for now! Until the next post, have a good night and God Bless!

What Goes Down Must...

2009-03-31T20:19:00.002-04:00

Go.....
!!
Today was a much and I do mean a much better day than yesterday. Want to know why? I will tell you why. It's because of one person and one person only: Kevin. I really don't know what I would do if he hadn't come back when he did. Kevin is the other Pharmacist that works right along with this other man that I can't stand. Kevin is my knight and shining armor; he is there for me just when I think that no one else will be there for me. He is and will always be a Godsend.
I think because Kevin was there today, the other Pharmacist wasn't rude to me or anything. As a matter of fact, he was quite nice to me . Considering that he had a lot to do today, I think that he put that behind him and just focused on what he needed to do so that's all what matters and not to mentioned that I prayed about this long and hard before I went to bed last night as I went to work this morning. Well, tomorrow our BIG BOSS i s coming and I can't wait for that to happen. It just sucks that I come in later and knowing me, I will miss meeting him/her. I am hungry so I will sign off for now. Until the next post (it will be in a new month, too) have a good night and God Bless!

What Goes Up Must....

2009-03-30T20:09:00.004-04:00

Come down... a
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Today wasn't your typical day at work. Then again, it was until the last three hours. Let me start at the beginning. For some reason, the Pharmacist that I work with does not and I do repeat DOES NOT like the group, Led Zeplin. To this day, he still hasn't told me why (although I think he has told the other Technicians why he doesn't like the group). So, today at work, Led Zeplin was playing on the radio and the Pharmacist turned it off. I asked him if it was ok if I turned it back on only for my ears to listen and not his. That's when he went off. He then told me that no one in the 25 years that he has been a Pharmacist that someone (meaning me) has defied him and listened to something that he didn't want to. He was red as a tomato and I felt (still do) completely bad for what I have done. I just got done talking with my mother-in-law about this whole situation and she thinks that this particular group has some strange effect on him and that I shouldn't worry about it.
That's just it, I can't stop worrying about it. I hope that tomorrow everything works out for the best. I mean I know that he can't write me up for this, but I do know that he won't take any more crap from me anymore. To quote him, "you want games, it's on! We will play all the games you want". I really didn't mean to do this to him and again, I really didn't think that it would effect him this, but it did. I don't know how many times I am going to apologize to him, but I think that make that I am done apologizing. I will just let God take of the rest.
I think that he was in a bad mood because of the fact that we were also short staffed (a technician called out today) and not to mention the fact that it was really busy and there was nothing he could do because he was by himself and didn't like it. Like he said earlier, this is going to be a long week and I just hope that this will be water under the bridge and we can look back on this day and laugh.
Until the next post, have a good week and God Bless!

Should I or Shouldn't I?

2009-03-18T19:21:00.006-04:00

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now" -Goethe
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever go back to school. I know that I said that I will be applying for the Spring 2010 term, but it used to be the Fall 2009 term. I don't know why I keep on procrasinating. I do know this for sure is that when James and I are settled in our new home, I will get everything taken care of. When I wanted to apply for the Nursing School in the community college here, I found out that I need to re-take some of the classes that I have already taken due to the fact that I have been out of college for so long. You can see this as a negative or you can see this as a positive. The negative part is the fact that you have to do it again and the positive part is that you can change the grade that you had in college to be a higher and better grade so you can get into the school that you want to (really don't think that made sense just now). All I know is that I do want to go back to school before I am 35 and considering that I will be 30 this year, I have five years to do this (not like I am counting or anything).
I really hate procrasinating when it comes to something that I really want to do in my life. Nothing is really holding me back, but I just feel that after James and I move things can get started sooner than later. When I do apply to the school and actually get in, I know that it will be shocking not only for me, but for James and my family as well.
Spring is around the corner and you know what that means...don't you? You will be seeing the following: ,, , , and . Granted here, in Ithaca, New York I see more squirrels and crows (mostly squirrels) than I have ever seen in my life. They are out and about no matter what the weather is (even though when it was in the single digits, I didn't see one). Considering that I going past the subject that I was once talking about, I guess I have nothing else to talk about. Until the next I write on here, have a good day and God Bless!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T20:02:00.004-04:00

Like the title says, Happy St. Patrick's Day! As you can see, I am typing in green just for the occassion. Work was outstanding today!! I was right; we had a full house and everyone had a good time (which is the norm when you don't have a LAZYPharmacist working by himself)! At work, we have to wear a blue shirt and khaki colored pants so it gave me the opportunity to pinch some of my co-workers that didn't wear green. I know what you are thinking, they can't wear green anyways due to the dress code so why pinch them? The answer is quite easy, management told us that we could wear try to find a way to wear green without getting out of dress code (some people were wearing green necklaces and some people were wearing green earrings) so since some people didn't care if they were pinched or not, I pinched them (don't worry, it wasn't hard or anything). Nothing much happened today because like I said it was a fun and relaxing one, there's nothing to complain about! Since I have nothing else to write about, I thought that I would entertain everyone with information about Saint Patrick's Day. So without further ado....
Here's the History of Saint Patrick's Day or something like that courtesy of Wikipedia: Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or simply Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.
The day is the national holiday of Ireland: it is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. It is also a public holiday in Montserrat. In Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday. St. Patrick's feast day was placed on the universal liturgical calendar in the Catholic Church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding in the early part of the 17th century, although the feast day was celebrated in the local Irish church from a much earlier date. St. Patrick's Day is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland. The feast day usually falls during Lent; if it falls on a Friday of Lent (unless it is Good Friday), the obligation to abstain from eating meat can be lifted by the local bishop. The church calendar avoids the observance of saints' feasts during certain solemnities, moving the saint's day to a time outside those periods. St. Patricks Day is very occasionally affected by this requirement. Thus when March 17 falls during Holy Week, as in 1940 when St. Patrick's Day was observed on April 3 in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and again in 2008, having been observed on March 15. Here's the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day (also courtesy of Wikipedia): Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by the those of Irish descent and increasingly by non-Irish people (usually in New Zealand, Australia, and North America). Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the colour green. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food and/or green foods, imbibing Irish drink (such as Irish stout, especially Guiness, Irish Whiskey or Irish Cream) and attending parades.
Saint Patrick's Day parades have a long history in North America. The Irish Society of Boston organized what was apparently the first Saint Patrick's Day Parade in the colonies on 17 March 1737. Other sources cite later parades as the first. For instance, some[who?] claim that the world's first St. Patrick's Day parade (not just the first in the Colonies) was held in Boston in 1761, organized by the Charitable Society. There is a competing claim that the first recorded parade was New York City's celebration which began on March 18, 1762 when Irish soldiers in the English military marched through the city with their music. The New York parade is the largest, typically drawing two million spectators and 150,000 marchers. The predominantly French-speaking Canadian city of Montreal, in the province of Québec has the longest continually running Saint Patrick's day parade in North America, since 1824; The city's flag has the Irish emblem, the shamrock, in one of its corners. Ireland's cities all hold their own parades and festivals, including Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages. The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five-day festival; over 675,000 people attended the 2009 parade. Other large parades include those in Savannah, Georgia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, New London, Wisconsin (which changes its name to New Dublin the week of St. Patrick's Day), Dallas, Cleveland, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Jackson, Mississippi, Boston, Buffalo, Rochester, Houston, Chicago, Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Rolla, Missouri, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Baton Rouge, Pittsburgh, Denver, St. Paul, Sacramento, San Francisco, Scranton, Seattle, Butte, Staten Island, New York, Bayonne, New Jersey, Detroit, Syracuse, Albany, Newport, Holyoke, MA, New Haven, CT, Norfolk, VA, ,Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Columbus, and throughout much of the Western world. The parade held in Sydney, Australia, is recorded as being the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick's Day is a Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and some other denominations. The day almost always falls in the season of Lent. Some bishops will grant an indult, or release, from the Friday no-meat observance when St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday; this is sometimes colloquially known as a "corned-beef indult" . When 17 March falls on a Sunday, church calendars (though rarely secular ones) move Saint Patrick's Day to the following Monday—and when the 17th falls during Holy Week (very rarely), the observance will be moved to the next available date or, exceptionally, before holy week. The public holiday in Ireland does not move and always remains at March 17, being fixed on the State calendar.
In many parts of North America, Britain, and Australia, expatriate Irish and ever-growing crowds of people with no Irish connections but who may proclaim themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day, usually with the consumption of traditionally Irish alcoholic beverages (beer and stout, such as Murphy's, Beamish, Smithwicks, Harp, or Guinness; Irish whiskey; Irish coffee; or Baileys Irish Cream) and by wearing green-coloured clothing.
2007 marked the first annual St. Patrick's Day parade and festival in the Scottish city of Glasgow. In North American communities with large populations of persons of Italian descent, St. Patrick's Day celebrations are often combined with those of Saint Joseph's Day, which takes place on March 19, two days after St. Patrick's.
Here's the history or lack of wearing green: St. Patrick's Blue, not green, was the colour long-associated with St. Patrick. Green, the colour most widely associated with Ireland, with Irish people, and with St. Patrick's Day in modern times, may have gained its prominence through the phrase "the wearing of the green" meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing. At many times in Irish history, to do so was seen as a sign of Irish nationalism or loyalty to the Roman Catholic faith. St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. The wearing of and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the saint's holiday. The change to Ireland's association with green rather than blue probably began around the 1750's.

HISTORY
In the past, Saint Patrick's Day was celebrated as a religious holiday. It became a public holiday in 1903, by the Money Bank. (Ireland) Act 1903, an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament introduced by the Irish MP James O'Mara. O'Mara later introduced the law which required that pubs be closed on 17 March, a provision which was repealed only in the 1970s. The first St. Patrick's Day parade held in the Irish Free State was held in Dublin in 1931 and was reviewed by the then Minister of Defence Desmond Fitzgerald. Although secular celebrations now exist, the holiday remains a religious observance in Ireland, for both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Church. It was only in the mid-1990s that the Irish government began a campaign to use Saint Patrick's Day to showcase Ireland and its culture. The government set up a group called St. Patrick's Festival, with the aim to:
—Offer a national festival that ranks amongst all of the greatest celebrations in the world and promote excitement throughout Ireland via innovation, creativity, grassroots involvement, and marketing activity.
—Provide the opportunity and motivation for people of Irish descent, (and those who sometimes wish they were Irish) to attend and join in the imaginative and expressive celebrations.
—Project, internationally, an accurate image of Ireland as a creative, professional and sophisticated country with wide appeal, as we approach the new millennium.
The first Saint Patrick's Festival was held on March 17, 1996. In 1997, it became a three-day event, and by 2000 it was a four-day event. By 2006, the festival was five days long.
The topic of the 2004 St. Patrick's Symposium was "Talking Irish," during which the nature of Irish identity, economic success, and the future were discussed. Since 1996, there has been a greater emphasis on celebrating and projecting a fluid and inclusive notion of "Irishness" rather than an identity based around traditional religious or ethnic allegiance. The week around Saint Patrick's Day usually involves Irish speakers using more Irish during seachtain na Gaeilge ("Irish Week"). The biggest celebrations in Ireland outside Dublin are in Downpatrick, County Down, where Saint Patrick is rumoured to be buried following his death on March 17, 461. In 2004, according to Down District Council, the week-long St. Patrick's Festival had over 2,000 participants and 82 floats, bands, and performers, and was watched by over 30,000 people. Belfast City Council recently agreed to give public funds to its parade for the very first time. In previous years funding was refused by pro-British Unionist councillors in the city for not being inclusive of Unionist citizens, the refusal to fund it was labelled as "anti-Irish racism" by Nationalist Belfast councillors. Since the 1990s, Irish Taoisigh have sometimes attended special functions either on Saint Patrick's Day or a day or two earlier, in the White House, where they present a shamrock to the President of the United States. A similar presentation is made to the Speaker of the House. Originally only representatives of the Republic of Ireland attended, but since the mid-1990s all major Political parties in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are invited, with the attendance including the representatives of the Irish government, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Sinn Féin and others. No Northern Irish parties were invited for these functions in 2005. In recent years, it is common for the entire Irish government to be abroad representing the country in various parts of the world. In 2003, the President of Ireland celebrated the holiday in Sydney, the Taoiseach was in Washington, while other Irish government members attended ceremonies in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Buffalo, San Jose, Savannah, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Diego, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, Korea, Japan, and Brazil. Saint Patrick's Day parades in Ireland date from the early 18th century. Christian leaders in Ireland have expressed concern about the secularisation of St Patrick's Day. Writing in the Word magazine (March 2007), Fr. Vincent Twomey stated that, "it is time to reclaim St Patrick's Day as a church festival". He questioned the need for "mindless alcohol-fuelled revelry" and concluded that, "it is time to bring the piety and the fun together". Outside of Ireland, here are what other states or countries do for Saint Patrick's Day:

IN CANADA:
Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal
The longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parade in Canada occurs each year in Montreal, Quebec. The parades have been held in continuity since 1824; however, St. Patrick's Day itself has been celebrated in Montreal as far back as 1759 by Irish soldiers in the Montreal Garrison following the British conquest of New France. In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the date was observed as a public holiday until 1992, although the provincial government itself continues to observe it as a paid holiday for government employees. In any event, St. Patrick's Day is still widely celebrated throughout the province. In the province of Manitoba, the Irish Association of Manitoba runs an annual three day festival of music and culture based around St Patrick's Day.
In 2004, the CelticFest Vancouver Society organized an annual festival in downtown Vancouver to celebrate the Celtic Nations and their culture. This event, which includes a parade, occurs the weekend closest to St. Patrick's Day. In the City of Toronto from 1919 to 1927, the Toronto Maple Leafs were known as the Toronto St. Patricks, wore green jerseys. In 1999 when the Leafs played on Hockey Night in Canada (national broadcast of the NHL) on St. Patrick's Day, the Leafs wore the green St. Pats retro jersey. There is a large parade in the city's downtown core that attracts over 100,000 spectators. Although the baseball season is still in the spring training phase when St. Patrick's Day rolls around, the Toronto Blue Jays wear green uniforms for the occasion. The Toronto Raptors professional basketball team also wears a green alternate uniform to celebrate the holiday. Some groups, notably Guinness, have lobbied to make Saint Patrick's Day a federal (national) holiday. In March of 2009, the Calgary Tower had changed its top exterior lights to new green-coloured CFL bulbs just in time for St. Patrick's Day. The lights were in fact part of the environmental non-profit organization, Project Porchlight, and were Green to represent environmental concerns. Approximately 210 lights were changed in time for St. Patrick's Day and almost resemble a Leprechaun's hat during the evening light. After a week, regular white CFLs took their place, saving the Calgary Tower around $12,000 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 104 metric tonnes in the process.

IN GREAT BRITAIN:
2006 St Patrick's Day celebrations in Trafalgar Sq, London
In Great Britain, the Queen Mother used to present bowls of shamrock flown over from Ireland to members of the Irish Guards, a regiment in the British Army consisting primarily of soldiers from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In 2002, London mayor Ken Livingstone organised an annual Saint Patrick's Day parade which takes place on weekends around the 17th, usually in Trafalgar Square. In 2008 the water in the Trafalgar Square fountains was dyed green.
The horse racing at the Cheltenham Festival attracts large numbers of Irish people, both residents of Britain and many who travel from Ireland, and usually coincides with Saint Patrick's Day. The largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in Britain is held in Birmingham over a two mile (3 km) route through the city centre. The organisers describe it as the third biggest parade in the world after Dublin and New York. Other Saint Patrick's Day parades take place around the country including in London where the largest minority community is Irish. The Scottish town of Coatbridge, where the majority of the town's population are of Irish descent, also has a St. Patrick's Day Festival which includes celebrations and parades in the town centre.
Liverpool with its geographical location as a major port leading to the Irish Sea has the largest per-capita Irish population of any English city. This has lead to a long standing celebration on St Patrick's Day in terms of music, cultural events and the parade. Manchester hosts a two week Irish festival in the weeks prior to St Patrick's Day. The festival includes an Irish Market based at the city's town hall which flies the Irish tricolour opposite the Union Flag, a large parade (claiming to be the biggest outside of Dublin and New York based on entrant and float numbers) as well as a large number of cultural and learning events throughout the two-week period. The festival promotes itself as the largest in the UK.

IN MONTSERRAT:
The tiny island of Montserrat, known as "Emerald Island of the Caribbean" due to its foundation by Irish refugees from Saint Kitts and Nevis, is the only place in the world apart from Ireland and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador in which St Patrick's Day is a public holiday. The holiday commemorates a failed slave uprising that occurred on March 17, 1798.

NEW ZEALAND:
As in Australia, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated. It is tradition for people to wear green items of clothing, and the streets are often filled with revellers drinking and making merry from early afternoon until late at night.

IN URAGRAY:
Celebrated in Montevideo and Punta del Este. The weather in March is warm. People dance and drink beer throughout the night until seven or eight in the morning. The tradition of mocking those who do not does not exist. Most people wear something green. Irish music is played in Bartolome Mitre street and Sarandi street, downtown Montevideo, where there are several Irish pubs.

IN THE UNITED STATES:
Irish Society of Boston organized what was the first Saint Patrick's Day Parade in the colonies on 17 March 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756, and New York's first Saint Patrick's Day Parade was held on 17 March 1762 by Irish soldiers in the British Army. In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on 17 March “as an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for independence." This event became known as The St. Patrick's Day Encampment of 1780. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in America by Irish and non-Irish alike. Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green clothing. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-coloured clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched. Some cities paint the traffic stripe of their parade routes green. Chicago dyes its river green and has done so since 1961 when sewer workers used green dye to check for sewer discharges and got the idea to turn the river green for St. Patrick's Day.Indianapolis also dyes its main canal green. Savannah dyes its downtown city fountains green. Missouri University of Science and Technology - St Pat's Board Alumni paint 12 city blocks kelly green with mops before the annual parade. In Jamestown, New York, the Chadakoin River (a small tributary that connects Conewango Creek with its source at Chautauqua Lake) is dyed green each year.
Many parades are held to celebrate the holiday including the cities listed below:

Postcard mailed in the United States in 1912
The longest-running Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S. are:
Boston, Massachusetts, since 1737
New York City, since 1762 (247th Consecutive Parade in 2008)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1771
Morristown, New Jersey, since 1780
New Orleans, Louisiana, since 1809
Buffalo, New York, since 1811
Savannah, Georgia, since 1813
Carbondale, Pennsylvania, since 1833
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1843
Chicago, Illinois, since 1843
New Haven, Connecticut, since 1845
Saint Paul, Minnesota, since 1851
San Francisco, California, since 1852
Scranton, Pennsylvania, since 1862
Cleveland, Ohio, since 1867
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 1869
Kansas City, Missouri, since 1873
Butte, Montana, since 1882
Savannah, GA, boasts the unofficial largest attendance with 750,000 in 2006. Unlike other cities, the parade in Savannah takes place on the actual day of Saint Patrick's Day, even if that day is during the work week. However, the 2008 parade took place on Friday, 14 March, to honour Holy week in the Catholic faith. In 2006, the Tánaiste was featured in the parade. Since the parade travels through Savannah's Historic Park District, one tradition that has developed has been the official "dyeing of the fountains" which happens several days before the parade. It has also become tradition for women spectators to kiss the Armed Forces Units and other military organization's male members. Savannah does not have an open container law so there is a proliferation of alcohol on River Street, Bay Street and in City Market.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISANA:
New Orleans, Louisiana, the parades include the influence of New Orleans Mardi Gras, with float riders throwing spectators strings of beads, cabbages, and potatoes.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Perhaps the smallest notable parade World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, is said to take place in Hot Springs, Arkansas in the United States annually held on historic Bridge Street which became famous in the 1940s when Ripley’s Believe It or Not designated it “The Shortest Street in the World.” Boulder, Colorado claims to have the shortest parade, which is also less than a single city block.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK:
In the city of Syracuse, NY, Saint Patrick's celebrations are traditionally begun with the delivery of green beer to Coleman's Irish Pub on the first Sunday of March. Coleman's is located in the Tipperary Hill section of the city. Tipperary Hill is home to the World famous "Green-on-Top" Traffic Light and is historically the Irish section in Syracuse. Saint Patrick's Day is rung in at midnight with the painting of a Shamrock under the Green-Over-Red traffic light. Syracuse boasts the largest St. Patrick's day celebration per-capita in the United States with their annual Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade, founded by Nancy Duffy, an honored journalist in the Central New York area and an active community leader. "The parade remains a major annual event, typically drawing an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 visitors to downtown Syracuse, as well as 5,000 to 6,000 marchers."

NEW YORK CITY:
The New York parade has become the largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in the world. In a typical year, 150,000 marchers participate in it, including bands, firefighters, military and police groups, county associations, emigrant societies, and social and cultural clubs, and 2 million spectators line the streets. The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and is always led by the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment. New York politicians - or those running for office - are always found prominently marching in the parade. Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch once proclaimed himself "Ed O'Koch" for the day, and he continues to don an Irish sweater and march every year up until 2003, even though he is no longer in office.
The parade is organized and run by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. For many years, the St. Patrick's Day Parade was the primary public function of the organization. On occasion the order has appointed controversial Irish republican figures (some of whom were barred from the U.S.) to be its Grand Marshal. The parade has also drawn controversy for many years for its exclusion of openly gay organizations. The New York parade is moved to the previous Saturday (16 March) in years where 17 March is a Sunday. The event also has been moved on the rare occasions when, due to Easter falling on a very early date, 17 March would land in Holy Week. This same scenario arose again in 2008, when Easter fell on March 23. The festivities went ahead on their normal date and had record viewers. In many other American cities (such as San Francisco), the parade is always held on the Sunday before 17 March, regardless of the liturgical calendar.

HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS:
This Western Mass factory town was the site of massive Irish immigration in the 19th Century, and hosts a Parade its organizers claim is the second largest in the United States. It is scheduled on the Sunday following St. Patrick's Day each year. Attendance exceeds 300,000, with over 25,000 marchers, through a 2.3 mile route in this city of 40,000. A 10K road Race and many events create a remarkable festival weekend. Each year an Irish-American who has distinguished himself or herself in their chosen profession is awarded the John F. Kennedy National Award. JFK was a National Award Winner in the 1958 Holyoke Parade. Other winners include author Tom Clancy, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, and actor Pat O'Brien.

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA:
Due to the rich history of Scranton participation in St. Patrick's Day festivities it is one of the oldest and most populated parades in the United States. It has been going on annually since 1862 by the St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County and the parade has gotten attention nationally as being one of the better St. Patrick's Day parades. The parade route begins on Wyoming Ave. and loops up to Penn Ave. and then Lackawanna Ave. before going back down over Jefferson Ave. to get to Washington Ave. Scranton hosts the third largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the United States. In 2008, up to 150,000 people attended the parade.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON:
Due to Seattle's northern state climates, like Ireland, the city received many Irish immigrants. So many that Seattle and Galway are sister cities. Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the Seattle Parade starts at 4th Avenue and Jefferson to the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park, ending officially at the Seattle Center. The annual Irish Week Festival is enormous, including step dancing, food, historical and modern exhibitions, and Irish lessons. This is all celebrated on St. Patrick's Day and sometimes carries on until the 15, 16, and 17 March.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA:
The Southern Nevada, (formerly Las Vegas) Sons of Erin has put on a parade since 1966. It was formerly held on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, later moved to 4th street. Since 2005, the parade has been held in downtown Henderson. It is one of the biggest parades in the state of Nevada. It also consists of a three day festival, carnival and classic car show in Old Town Henderson.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND:
The festivities of the St. Patrick's Day Parade (since 1956) include a 5K race with a finish line at Power Plant Live! and a brunch (both on the day of the parade) plus numerous fundraisers in Baltimore's Irish restaurants, leading up to the event.

ROLLA, MISSOURI:
Rolla is home to the Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly known as University of Missouri-Rolla, and Missouri School of Mines), an engineering college. St. Patrick is the patron saint of engineers, and the school and town's celebrations last for a week or more, with a downtown parade held the Saturday before St. Patrick's. A royal court are crowned, and the streets of the city's downtown area are painted solid green. In 2008, Rolla celebrated its 100th St. Patrick's Day festival. In previous years, a pit of green liquid was made by students as part of the festivities, and named 'Alice' -- stepping into Alice was a rite of bravery. In recent years, however, the university faculty has banned the practice out of health concerns.

BASEBALL:
Although the baseball season is still in the spring training phase when St. Patrick's Day rolls around, some teams celebrate by wearing St. Patrick's Day themed uniforms. The Cincinnati Reds were the first team to ever wear St. Patrick's Day hats in 1978. The Boston Red Sox were the second team to start wearing St. Patrick's Day hats in 1990. any teams have since started wearing St. Patrick's day themed jerseys, including the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980s and Boston Red Sox in 2004. Since then it has become a tradition of many sports teams to also wear special uniforms to celebrate the holiday. The Los Angeles Dodgers also have a history with the Irish-American community. With the O'Malley family owning the team and now Frank McCourt, the Dodgers have had team celebrations or worn green jerseys on St. Patrick's Day. The Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies also wear St. Patrick's Day caps and jerseys. Other teams celebrate by wearing kelly green hats. These teams include: the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets, the San Diego Padres, the Atlanta Braves, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Washington Nationals have fan green hat day on September 17 to represent 6 months to St. Patrick's Day.
Nearly all major league baseball teams now produce St. Patrick's day merchandise, including Kelly green hats, jerseys, and t-shirts.

BASKETBALL:
Between March 15th and 17th of 2009, a number of NBA teams wore green jerseys in recognition of St. Patrick's Day including the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks. The Boston Celtics, whose home jersey is green, wore a specially designed green and gold jersey.

Well, I am going to sign off for now. Have a good Saint Patrick's Day everyone and God Bless!

Two Heads are Better Than One

2009-03-16T22:01:00.002-04:00

"...Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle. Pray earnestly." - Thomas S. Monson
If you notice this picture to your left, you see that the Pharmacist tends to the customer, looks at the prescription, process it, gives the drug to the customer (of course in the prescription bag), and sends the customer on her way (by the way, this was done pretty fast, but I think you get the point of it). Today wasn't a good day at all. The Pharmacist that I was working with blamed on the fact that we were short staffed (because one of the Technicians is out due to the fact that she had surgery), but I think today wasn't a good day because of the fact that Pharmacist didn't help me one bit. He didn't move from his station and watched me fill, input the prescriptions, and run the register (if I had more than two arms, I think it would've helped). It was chaotic from start to finish. When the other girl came in, (she usually just runs the register) she had to help me fill and let me tell you, if it weren't for the fact that she came in, I don't think that I could have handled it the way that I did. While she was filling, I was trying to input more prescriptions since the Pharmacist wouldn't and apply the drug orders that came in (thank goodness they were small ones) all at the same time. When I went to lunch, it didn't help that the girl is still new to this and again, the Pharmacist wasn't helping her so I came back to a mess a BIG mess. I wasn't mad at her, but I just wish that she knew a little more than she did (then again, if the Pharmacist HELPED THIS WOULDN'T be an issue). When I went home for the day, I told the other girl to hang in there and that everything will be better tomorrow because we have a full house (meaning that besides us, we will have the not so LAZYPharmacist and we will have another Technician too) and the look on her face was priceless. It was as if she didn't want me to leave her with this Pharmacist but I couldn't stay because of overtime.
Plain and simple: if the Pharmacist would've helped the other cashier and myself, it wouldn't have been so busy as it was. I left today knowing that tomorrow would be a better day because like I mentioned before, we will have a full house and I have faith that it will be better. I know that I haven't written on this blog since the first of March, but I have been busy working and whatnot so I am sorry that this entry is about work. I hope that it didn't bore anyone, but I just had to vent and this is my only way to (well, I could vent to God, but He is always listening). I guess I am done venting so until next time, have a good evening and God Bless!

Hello March

2009-03-01T19:12:00.005-05:00

It's March 1st and it doesn't feel like Spring will get here here in Ithaca, but I do have faith that it will...like in 20 days...who am I kidding? Anyways, I just wanted to write that I am getting make that I am feeling much better than I have in the past few days and I am glad too because like I have mentioned on my previous blog(s) I hate being sick while I am at work.
As everyone knows, I am a huge KU basketball fan and today was a good day to be a !!! KU trampled Missouri today: 90-65 and I couldn't be happier than I am now. March Madness is around the corner so I can see people filling out their brackets and seeingif their bracket will win anything. Today at work was quite relaxing considering it was the first day of the month. I know that this week will be a crazy one, but I don't really care because time will fly and when it flies, it's fun! Today also marked a first in the making. My mother-in-law joined Facebook. Who could have thunk it? I am sure that she will quite addicted to it because her brother, sister, niece, nephew, and brother-in-law are also on it, too and not to mention that they will get her "hooked". Well, dinner is calling my name (sorry, had to put that in) and I have no idea what I am going to make. All I hope for is that it's good not to mention edible. Until next time, have a wonderful week and God Bless!

Goodbye February

2009-02-28T10:25:00.004-05:00

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Albus Dumbledore from the movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
It's the last day of February and it's snowing here in Ithaca (or the last time that I checked). I am not surprised, but I do want it to be finally over. I want it to be Spring so we can walk around, have a picnic with our friends and family, and do other things that we can't do since it's Winter. I started getting symptoms of a cold on Wednesday and now I have a full blown cold. This really sucks because I was supposed to hang out with friends yesterday and since I am sick, I had to cancel. I didn't want to get her children and not to mention her sick so I just stayed home. I thought that I was getting better, but I am not. I hate it when I am sick. I am a baby, cranky, and crabby all in one (although I am not those things this time around...then again, it depends who you ask ).
I just looked outside and it looks like we got an inch of snow already. I hope that we don't get anymore; it just needs to stop. James is sleeping and here I am awake typing away. I think that I need to get more sleep before I go back to work tomorrow. Working while you are sick is never good and considering that I have to work from 9 to 6, I just hope this cold "wraps itself up" before then. Then again, who am I kidding? When I am sick, it usually lasts a week or so.
I thought that I was going to make a long post, but I am not so I will sign off now. Until next month or so. Have a good weekend and God Bless!

True Beauty

2009-02-20T13:09:00.006-05:00

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."-1 Peter 3:3-4
Trying to figure out what to type on here and then it hit me, it hit me that there are a lot of people out there that could be vain and worry about their looks or worry about what people think when they see them. To be honest, I am one of those people, but I really don't consider myself vain more like I have a low self-esteem and it's an on-going battle that I seem to never win. Just when I think that I won, things happen that make me lose. I refuse to lose this "battle" and it's funny that I keep on losing because James keeps on telling me that he fell in love with me because of what I have inside and not what I have on the outside (if that makes any sense) and it's an added bonus that I am beautiful, too.
In the following pictures, I feel the most beautiful (click on the pictures if you want to see them bigger): See the common theme? If you don't, the common theme is that I am smiling. I feel the most beautiful when I smile. When I don't smile, people think that I am in a bad mood or that's something is wrong with me (refer to the Crazy blog for more details). I know that I am a beautiful woman, but I just feel at times that I could be better. What I mean by that is if I could lose more weight...goodness, I am already doing again! I really need to stop doing this.
I guess I get all of these "issues" because whenever I see my Mom, she reminds me that I need to lose weight and when I was younger, my little sister would say that I am ugly (she has since apologized for saying that). I really can't say anything to my Mom because it's rude to be disrespectful to your parents, but frankly it's getting old. Although the last time I did see my Mom, she noticed that I lost weight in fact, that's the first thing she said.
My name is Andrea and I am a beautiful and wonderful woman who has a awesome husband (whom I believe God sent me) and I really couldn't ask for more. What I just wrote is what I need to keep on telling myself and when I do say these words, I know that I am beautiful inside and out. I didn't mean for this to be a depressing post, but this is the only way I can actually admit to myself that I have "issues" and that I can get over them. With God and James by my side, I know and believe that anything and everything is possible and I will beat this "battle" once and for all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T14:51:00.005-05:00

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle in your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." -Harry Burns from the movie, "When Harry Met Sally..."
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! James is away doing some "major errands" so while he is away, I thought that I would write in here to celebrate Valentine's Day. Have you notice that there are so many scriptures about love in the Bible? I mean I am sure everyone knows the infamous 1 Corinthians verses 13:4-7: Love is paitent, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. But, there are more bibical scriptures about love than just that. Wondering what they are? I can tell you because I have been searching and found quite a few to be honest. Here's one from the Book of Timothy chapter 1 verse 5: Love comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Here's another one from the Book of Matthew chapter 1 verse 21: For where your treasure is,there your heart will be also. Here's one from the Book of Corinthians chapter 13 verses 7 through 8: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
What is your favorite Bibical scripture about love? I have one and I think it's really nice, then again some people may think it's a selfish verse, but I don't. It's comes from the Book of Corinthians chapter 13 verses 1 through 13: I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have the faith needed to move mountains- but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned- but if I have no love, this does me no good.
I am done writing this blog about love and Valentine's Day. I hope everyone has a good Valentine's Day like I am. Have a wonderful day and God Bless!

I Love Writing, Too!

2009-02-13T20:55:00.005-05:00

"Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in the mirror which waits always before or behind." -Catherine Drinker Bowen
I really don't know why I titled this blog, "I love writing, too" then again, maybe I do. I guess I titled this because some people think that you have to be young in order to write in a journal let alone to keep one. I really don't think that it matters how old you are, if you want to keep a journal, go for it! It (keeping a journal) helps me vent out when (besides God and James) I need to and not to mention it's my own personal way of talking to God (sounds weird, I know but it's true). I have more than one on-line journal but out of all them, this is the one that I use the most.
As far as I can remember, I have always loved writing. Whether it was short stories, comics, or just funny stuff, I just love to write. I guess that's why I majored in English while I was in college. My favorite classes were: Fiction Writing and History of Rhetoric. I liked Fiction Writing because of the fact that I can make up my own stuff. I remember writing a semi-autobiography about myself my Freshman year of college and my English teacher liked it so much that he recommended it to be on a collection of short stories that were written by students called "Free Falling"!!! I was so excited, but I didn't get to see the publication because of the fact that the book came out during the summer and I didn't know how to get it from there.
There was someone that wanted me to check their writing and see if there were any errors and of course, there was and they didn't want me to check their stuff again I guess because they wrote how they spoke and that always doesn't go well (makes sense? I hope). Even when I was younger, I made up a comic strip made out of stick figures and I don't remember what I named it, but it was pretty cute.
I am currently writing a story called "Dreams Do Come True" and to be honest with you, I am not really sure why I am naming it "Dreams Do Come True", but I know that for a fact that the title may change because it doesn't really fit what I am writing about. To tell you what it is about....hmmm...where do I begin? I think that I have so many topics and sub-topics that it's almost unbearable to be quite honest. But to tell you the main plot of the story: a girl that moves out of state to attend college, joins a sorority, meets the man of her dreams, and struggles to keep her faith in tact while she's away from home (with the help of the man of her dreams of course).
People love writing about anything from how their day went to just to vent about what is bothering them or to just to talk about their families and personally, I find it fascinating to read. The reason why I say that is because sometimes they (the people who write) are having the same problems are going through the same things that you are going through and it's great to relate to them. Autobiographies are my favorite books for that very reason.
Well, I think that I am done writing now beacause I think make that I know that I will go off on topic if I continue to write on here. Well, have a good weekend everyone and God Bless!

Ch-ch-Changes!!

2009-01-17T18:17:00.002-05:00

"Even while I protest the assembly-line production of our food, our songs, our language, and eventually our souls, I know that it was a rare home that baked good bread in the old days. Mother’s cooking was with rare exceptions poor, that good unpasteurized milk touched only by flies and bits of manure crawled with bacteria, the healthy old-time life was riddled with aches, sudden death from unknown causes, and that sweet local speech I mourn was the child of illiteracy and ignorance. It is the nature of a man as he grows older, a small bridge in time, to protest against change, particularly change for the better." -John Steinbeck
Yesterday when James came home from helping his friends set up for a music video that they are going to do today, I sat up with him until four in the morning just venting on how my life is going nowhere and I need a change--change of scenery, work, change of everything. In May, I will be living in Odessa, New York--change from Ithaca, New York. I really don't know what will happen to me because I have never lived out in the country before and they (meaning James' parents lived way out there) and I hope that I can adjust. I also told James last night or early this morning that I don't want to work for Wal-Mart for the rest of my life; I want to be a Nurse a Nurse in Nigeria or somewhere just as long as I am a Nurse. Sometimes I wonder if Iam changing for the best or for the worse. I really hope that I figure this out soon. On Thursday, I saw Kevin (the Pharmacist I used to work with) for the first time in almost two years and to see him was seeing my best friend--it was awesome! And to make it even better, he is coming back to Wal-Mart here in Ithaca as a Staff Pharmacist. I keep on saying that I want to transfer because I am sick of everything from Dennis to the fact that I have to do everything and I do mean everything. On January 23, it will mark five more months until I am the big 30. I have this funny feeling when I turn 30 that changes will happen. I mean I feel that I am changing already since I don't really hold anything back now and usually I just hold everything in and complain later. No more. I don't want to be a push-over anymore. Yesterday was a great example on how I am no longer a push-over. I won't get into details, but let's just say that I will not take any crap anymore.
Moving to Odessa from Ithaca will also mean that I will be driving everywhere and I do mean everywhere---to work, grocery store, to run errands, and the list goes on. I am looking forward to be driving again. It will be a change from walking everywhere not to mention that I will get to a certain destination faster and plus I won't have to wake up earlier. Then again, I may have to if I am not going to transfer.
This is the year 2009 which means that changes are going to happen. Whether it will mean me (my attitude), work, life, or just surroundings. I just know that changes are happening and like I wrote on my Facebook, I hope it will be for the better not for the worse.

There's Nothing Left of Me

2009-01-02T12:23:00.004-05:00

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." -Calvin Coolidge
I just found out today that the Police in Minnesota only caught ONE yes, ONE person that was involved in my identity theft situation and personally, my face went from this to this in all matter of seconds. In fact, I was crying before I started typing this. The person that they caught in Minnesota was in a different county from where other things has happened but I do know that it's still in Minnesota. The person that is going to be arraigned admitted that she used my name. In fact, the woman admitted that this guy paid her narcotics and money to use my name to get furniture from two furniture stores.
I am numb right now, I don't know how I am supposed to feel at this moment. I called home and my Mom told me to keep my head up because at least they caught one person in this mess of mine. I just don't know anymore about this whole Identity Theft case. I really wish that they would catch each and every person that is involved in this. I wish that my little sister grabbed my purse. I wish that I wasn't so foolish into trusting my little sister with my purse. I wish that I never traveled through Greyhound to begin with. There's so many things that you can wish for, but none of them can come true let alone you can't turn back the clock and wish that you can change things.
People tell me that I should move on from this situation, but it's been over a year and I still haven't been able to move on from this. I am just glad that I have James here with me or else I really don't know what I would do. He has been my rock throughout this whole entire journey and I know that sometime or someday I will be able to say that I have moved on and I am ready for the next chapter in my life but as of right now, it's not in the cards.
The person that they caught, well, I just have a funny feeling that she may have done this in other cities in Minnesota and unfortunately, the police haven't pieced it together...yet. I mentioned in my Facebook that I want her to suffer because I am suffering right now and until justice is served, I will have this face again . I know that God is watching over me and with Him by my side, I know that I can get through this. Like the verse says: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" -Philippians 4:13
This is how I am going to end my blog for today, scripture from the Bible. It comes from The Book of Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 11-13: For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Through perseverance and hard work, I know that this person or persons will be finally caught and when they do, I will be able to finally say that I saw light at the end of the tunnel and change the title of my blog from "There's Nothing Left of Me" to "There's Everything Left of Me" (if that makes any sense) or something like that. Well, I am going to sign off now. Hope that everyone has a good weekend and until I write again, God Bless!

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T10:59:00.005-05:00

"At the end of the day, there are some things you just can't help but talk about. Some things we just don't want to hear, and some things we say because we can't be silent any longer. Some things are more than what you say, they're what you do. Some things you say cause there's no other choice. Some things you keep to yourself. And not too often, but every now and then, some things simply speak for themselves." -Dr. Meredith Grey from the television show, Grey's Anatomy
everyone!! This is my first blog post for the New Year and I thought that I would write down on my first post my New Years Resolutions.

1. Lose Weight. I know that I keep on saying this, butI really want to do it. When I was in Illinois, I was losing weight, but coming back here to New York and all of the good food somewhat made me gain most of it back and I don't like it at all. I really don't eat that much food, but it seems like I am bigger than I used to be and I have this issue with I really don't like what I see in the mirror and the only way I can really like what I see is to buckle down and get this diet going. I have some ideas on what I can do and hopefully it will work.
2. Be More OutSpoken (on things that I believe in). Sometimes I feel that people put me down; whether it is behind my back or to my face and I do nothing about it. Not anymore! Life is way too short to be bullied and from now on, I need or will take charge on if someone is saying crap about me or just afraid of saying something to my face (especially if it concerns me and not the other person).
3. This isn't really a resoultion, but more of something that I need to do more often: smile.

According to some people, it seems that I never smile enough and I need to. Smiling is the best medicine invented and if someone makes me mad, sad, or even happy all I can do is smile because not only is smiling contagious, but people can't read your mind when you are smiling (especially if you are mad at them for doing something stupid or wrong).
4. Learn how to Cook.

Even though I love James' cooking, it's about time that I learn how to cook for myself (especially if James will be working late or he will be at a friends house or if he will be out of town for a few days). I know how to make Macroni and Cheese and the "Hamburger Helper" stuff, but I want to learn how to make Chicken, Lasagna, Spaghetti (and the sauce), and stuff like that. I know it will take time, but I know I will be able to do it and when I do, I want to surprise James with a meal sometime and have him enjoy it.
5. Read The Bible more.

I have been reading The Bible more than ever, but I want to read it more. The Bible is so interesting and just when you think you have it figured out, you don't because there's so much in it that makes it amazing. James even said that we should schedule one night that we both read part of a Chapter from The Bible and discuss it. I really can't wait for that to happen because I want to hear what James has to say about the Chapters we will be reading together.
6. Write or Email my Friends more often.

I have been really bad about keeping in touch with my friends whether it's through email or snail mail (I prefer email) and since I hardly know anyone here in New York since most of my friends are still in Kansas, I feel that I need to write them more (even the ones that I really don't want to talk to).
7. Finish up the Story I started writing two years ago. When James and I moved to Illinois, I was writing this story about a woman who moves away from home to go to college, meets the man of her dreams, and finds her faith again. Where I left off, the main character's boyfriends Grandmother dies and he was cold towards her because his was very close to his Grandmother and for some strange reason, he wouldn't let her help him grieve but then, he finally lets her help him. I guess that's where I left off oh wait, he also tells her that he loves her for the first time. I am on page eight or nine and I really need to start up with that again. I really don't know when I will have time to do it, but I really want to because it's getting good and I don't want my mind to forget the ideas I have in store for this story.
8. Read More.

I love reading and I haven't had time to read so now I want to read. A couple of weekends ago, James' cousin Jade, her friend Matt, and myself went to see the movie, Twilight and I thought that it was an awesome movie. So since many people have said that the Books are somewhat better than the movie, I am going to take a stab at it and start reading the books and compare them to the movies (like I did with Harry Potter). Just in general, I just want to read more because whenever I am on my lunch break at work, I feel that I am just wasting time after I am done eating so why waste time when you can read right?
9. Be a Better Wife.

I am not saying that I am a bad wife, but I want to be a better one than I am now. I know that James loves me and everything, but I just want to be a better one. James and I are going to be married for five years this August 7, and I want to do more things for him rather have him do things for me (if that makes any sort of sense).
10. Meet new Friends and keep the Old.

I keep on saying this, but I really do want to make new friends. It's not that I am shy or anything, I just don't really have the time or the effort to make any friends and personally, I think that's sad just plain sad. Even though I do have to admit that I do have two friends that I really don't get to see that much, with my new schedule, I think that I will be able to and I am so excited to see them again. With James and I moving to Odessa in less than four or five months, I am afraid that I won't meet anyone new but then again, I could be wrong because when we move, we will also be getting a car so I will be able to drive around and hang out with friends and meet some new ones (hopefully...cross your fingers). 11. Spend more time with my Family.

This Christmas and New Years hit me hard because I didn't get to see any of my family members and it was really rough for me. I am really close to them and hearing my nephews voices on the phone on Christmas Day made me cry. Even though I am in a different state, different time zone, and a different country from my family, I want to try and spend more time with them even if it means if they have to come down here, so be it. I really want to do this and I hope I can do it.
12. Call the People in my Life more.

I know that this isn't really much of a resolution, but I don't get on the phone that much except for my little sister and I want to call my friends more and see how they are doing (I guess that's almost the same thing as my sixth resolution). I guess what I am trying to say is that I want to keep in touch with my friends and family more than I do. This is my final resolution and I hope that I am able to stick by these.

I guess I am done writing out my resolutions so I hope that everyone has a Happy New Year! May God continue to bless you and bring many more happiness for this up-coming year! Have a a great weekend and God Bless!

Year in Review

2008-12-31T19:20:00.004-05:00

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller from the movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
As the year 2008 comes to end, I thought that I would write on here what has happened to me this past year.

January: ??? Start of the year 2008, wow nothing really happened. Booorrrriiinnnggg!!!
Febuary: We decided that it would be best if we moved back to Ithaca and live with his Mom for a while until we got jobs and save up for an apartment.
March: We moved back to New York and in matter of weeks, I got my old job back at Wal-Mart.

I thought it was a good thing that I got my old job back, but the people that I used to work with weren't there anymore except for the Pharmacy Manager. The Pharmacy Manager transfered and moved to Greer, SC in September and from then on, things were finally looking up for me at this Wal-Mart.
April: ??? Nothing too spectacular happened this month.
May: We moved out of his Mom's house and got our own apartment here in Ithaca. We met our new neighbors and so far we were really liking our new apartment. My niece, Godiva was born on the 20th in Nigeria making the first grand-daughter in my family.
June: I turned 29 making it the last year that I am in my 20s. The funny thing is, is that I don't even feel older I just feel wiser...hahaha

July: we moved away from Ithaca, New York to Worth, Illinois. It was an interesting move because not only were we away from his parents, but we were closer to mine and not to mention the fact that we grew closer to his cousin and wife, and his aunt and uncle. The funny thing about moving to Illinois, is even though I was closer to my friends, not one of them came up to visit me.

August: We were finally settled in Worth and I was working in Bridgeview at Wal-Mart. Getting used to working at Bridgeview was interesting because since Bridgeview is near Chicago, most of the people that worked there were from there and not to mention that this Wal-Mart was predominately black.
September: I quit Wal-Mart to work for Walgreens.

Quitting Wal-Mart and working for Walgreens...hmmm...what can I say about that? It was quite and experience working for Walgreens and if I could do it over again, I would but not in Worth, Illinois. The people were rude and the Pharmacy Manager wasn't too nice to me and boy did it show. I wish that I never did quit Wal-Mart because even though I wasn't getting my hours, it ended up that they (meaning the new Pharmacy Manager at Wal-Mart and the other Pharmacist) were going to give me more hours and plus I wouldn't be back here in Ithaca.
October: James and I decided that we wanted to start trying for children!!!
November: History in the making: the First African-American was elected President! Go Obama!!
December: The end of the year draws near and as a personal Christmas gift to myself, the person who stole my identity was finally caught and will be prosecuted January 14th. I am so happy and blessed that this has happened!

Well, I guess this wraps it up for the Year in Review! I hope everyone had a good 2008 and may your 2009 be great! Have a good week and God Bless!

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-25T18:00:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! Even though I was sick on the days leading up to it, I had a pretty good Christmas. James and I just relaxed at home and called his family and then I called my family. So all and all, it was a good one. I just wish that I wasn't sick at all. I will write another post here before the new year starts. Have a good week everyone and God Bless!

Buh Humbug!

2008-12-23T08:24:00.002-05:00

Ok, I jinxed myself not once but twice over and I am officially SICK!!!
It really does suck, but there's nothing I can do about it so I am going to sign off now.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

2008-12-19T12:39:00.002-05:00

WINTER!!!!! As I type this, we are getting hammered wtih snow! When I was looking outside, I saw people playing with the snow and building snow men, snow blowers trying to clear the roads, people shoveling their sidewalks, and watching the snow coming down pretty hard. I guess that's why I put all of this animations on here just to show you what people are doing. Pretty sad I know. Winter doesn't start for another three days, but I just thought that I would share that yet again Ithaca, New York got hammered with another snow storm. I don't feel good so I am going to sign off now. Have a good weekend and God Bless!

Men vs. Women

2008-12-14T00:05:00.005-05:00

"I think the hardest part of being a woman is having woman friends." -From the movie, How to Make an American Quilt versus
As far as I can remember, I always had male friends. They were easier to play with, talk to, and not to mention pick on. I never had any female friends until I reached college or high school, no I am right, college. Even to this day, I think that I would rather hang out with the guys more than girls. I can't explain why, but men seem more fun. When I am around my brothers-in-law, it's great because I love the way they argue over the weirdest, stupidest, and funniest things. Watching sports with them is the best, too because I love the way they get frustrated when their team is either losing or behind by many points.
I didn't have my first crush until the summer of my sixth grade year. There was a guy that I hung out with all the time. I would help him with his paper route, watch movies with him at his house (without anyone there and didn't care what my Mom thought of it), and even go to the parks just to play. To be honest with you, I think that he also liked me too or else he wouldn't have put up with me all summer not to mention let me watch movies and play video games at his house without anyone there but him. He moved that summer and boy did that break my heart. Surpsingly though, I didn't cry and I moved on pretty quickly after he left.
Even working with men can be better than working with women because in some ways, women can be catty; want to compete with you when they see that you can do more things than them or make up things that aren't even true just to get you in trouble. I have also found that women aren't that confrontational about things. Men, if they have a problem with you, they will lay it on the line and not hold anything back. Whereas women talk to other women about that one particular woman that they can't stand and be nice to your face.
What got me to write about this you ask? I guess it's because I get along with Sean more than Lori and not to mention the fact that it's something to write about other than work. Well, I need to get going. I am hungry and I also need to fold my laundry too. Until the next post, have a great night and God Bless!

Like a Dream...

2008-12-07T17:54:00.003-05:00

"What if you slept, and what if in your sleep you dreamed, and what if in your dreams you went to heaven and there you plucked a strange and beautiful flower, and what if when you awoke you had the flower in your hand? Ah, what then?"-Samuel Taylor Coleridge
I don't know where this blog is headed to be honest with you, but I do know it's about dreams. Have you ever had a dream that felt so real? Or have you had a dream that seems like it really happened? Or here's the best one yet, have you had a dream that you were younger than you actually are? I have all kinds of dreams and what I just asked are examples of what kind of dreams I have had and let me tell you, they were amazing yet interesting let alone scary all at once. Some people can interpret their dreams to a science, but I am not the one who can or wants to because dreams are just dreams to me they can mean anything or something that I want it to mean.
Although, I did have a dream that my older sister kept on hitting me and I did nothing in my defense. My little sister also had the same dream and every now again the dream keeps on happening. What could that mean? Could that mean that I am afraid of my own sister? Could it mean that I need to stand up to her from now on? I really don't know, but I am sure it means something (even though we really don't fight as much as we used to).
Lately, I have been having dreams that I am back in college again; being in a sorority, member of the dance team, and have a steady boyfriend. I really don't know why I am having these dreams, but for some strange reason, they are nice dreams and they don't ever get old (if you know what I mean).
Sometimes in my dreams, I could be in a profession that I really like to be in (like Nursing ) or I am older than I am now or that James divorced me and I am with no one for a few years, then I meet someone new. As you can see, I have the most weirdest dreams ever.
Like I mentioned in my blog before, I did have a dream that I met a guy that grew up with brothers no sisters and had brown hair and blue eyes. Little did I know that God was trying to tell me that I was going to meet my soulmate someday and I personally feel that was my best dream ever because it came true.
Well, I guess I am finally done writing this blog (I started writing this on December 7) and after many interuptions, I can say that I am done with this. So, if this is dated December 7, you know why. I will sign off now and until the next blog I write, have a good weekend and God bless!

Can you Imagine?

2008-12-06T12:35:00.005-05:00

"There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be." -Willy Wonka
Do you think that Fairies exist? When I was little, I thought that they did and they would grant every wish that I wanted. Or have you ever seen falling or shooting stars?I really don't know where this is going, but I am sure it will come to me sooner or later (hopefully sooner). It's amazing on what your mind can come up with. Whether you are watching television and come across these and wonder what it would be like if you were one of them. When I was little, I always imagined that I was a dancer. I would beg and beg my Mom to take me to dance classes so I can learn how to dance and of course, she would always say no since we couldn't afford it. I guess that's why to this very day, I have dreams that I am part of dance troupe or just dancing in general. If I sit down by myself without even realizing it, I am imagining that I am dancing with a dance troupe or just dancing in a field somewhere.
You can never be too old to imagine things and...oh, I just figured out where this blog is going. Imaginations!! I am so proud of myself..not really, just thought that I would type up stuff that come into my head and this is one of them. As you can see, I am off from work today and so I can't really complain about work because I am not working! I think that I need to get off from this computer because I really don't know what else to write about and I also need to catch up on what I missed over the week while I was working. So until next time, God Bless and have a wonderful weekend!

Work Ethics by Andrea

2008-12-04T20:44:00.003-05:00

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker" -Helen Keller
Since work is getting on my last nerve, I thought that I would just put work ethics or my version of it just for giggles. Then again, I don't know what I am really putting down here. I guess I should put down here for one particular technician reasons why she shouldn't get her "hours back" or what she should do in order to get her "hours back" (although, I did hear that she does want to transfer out of the Pharmacy so hmmmmm.....)
Let's start with why she she shouldn't...you know what? I am not going to do this. This isn't even right. I am not going to go there so I am not going to. Work today was ok; I really really think that Dennis (the new Pharmacy Manager) needs to learn how to run the register and fast! I am sure that the other technician feels the same way (even though I haven't asked them) because each time he asks one of us to go to the counter to ring a customer up, I can just see her body language go from "ok, I am counting pills" to "why can't you do it?!" within matter of minutes. The look on her face when he specifically asks her to do it is priceless. I almost have to hold my laugh in when she drops (or throws) the spatula on the counter just to take care of the customer. You know what? I think I am actually done for the night. I am off tomorrow so I just may write something tomorrow to stall time until James wakes up. Then again, who really knows? Have a good night everyone and God Bless!

Happy December!

2008-12-02T21:10:00.003-05:00

Happy December!
I can't believe it's already December already and before we know it, Christmas will be here. As you can see, I changed my background (which I will admit that it may change from month to month) and my title of my blog. I was reading the Bible and I found this awesome verse from the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 and I thought that it was so nice let alone inspiring. I couldn't put the whole verse in the slot, so here's the whole verse just in case you were wondering:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." There are a lot of verses from The Bible that I like, but I have to admit that this one does take the cake. For some reason, it just says everything that people need to take "time" to do (does that make sense and no pun intended).
OK, time for a different subject. Here, in Ithaca, it doesn't seem like December has hit us; it stills feels like November. Winter officially starts in 19 days while Christmas is in 23. I don't know if I am ready for Christmas because last year, James and I spent it with his cousin's Father's side of the family and it wasn't too great (just watching people you don't know open presents while you just sit there and be envious of the fact that they got gifts and you didn't) and this year, we are back in Ithaca and James' family doesn't celebrate Christmas (due to the fact that they are Jewish) so I guess that James and I will just relax at home or I think that we are going to see a friend of ours (Vickie and Wayne) on Christmas day (then again, I could be wrong because I think that we are going to see them New Year's Eve).
Question for whoever reads my blog: why can't people just leave things alone or why can't they just realize that things just happen for a reason and lastly, why can't people just talk to the person that they are talking about instead of talking behind their backs? If you haven't guess it already, I am talking about one particular co-worker of mine. For the almost past week and a half, I have been opening more days than closing (in other words I would work 9-6 instead of working 11-7) and frankly, I really don't care what time I worked just as long as I got my full-time hours. Apparently I can't (or I am not supposed to have) these hours. I am supposed to close all the time while this one co-worker is supposed to have 9-6's across the board. Sean and I already talked to the Pharmacy Manager and the District Manager and the chances of her getting 9-6's across the board (meaning never closing) are slim to none. She even tried (or is continuing to try) to have our OTC manager do our schedule so she can have her way. It just makes me sick on why can't she just be fair? She will get to open one of these weeks and when I don't know, but I do know that she will get to soon. And she wonders why we will never get along. It's reasons like this and talking crap behind my back are the examples to why we won't. Just when we think that we are headed in the right direction, there's always a road block and she can never maneuver it because she doesn't want to try to.
Well, I am going to sign off now because I have to get up early in the morning and run some errands so I am going to say goodnight, have a good week, and God Bless (oh and btw, sorry for the rants...my blogs won't be the same if I don't rant at least once right?)!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T20:25:00.005-05:00

Since I know that I won't be able to write on here tomorrow, I thought that I would write on here a day early and mention what I am thankful for since I won't be able to tomorrow (oh and by the way, pictures will be included just for your enjoyment). Ok, in no particular order, the following are what I am thankful for:
Even though my mother-in-law isn't pictured with James, my parents, his father, and myself, I am truly thankful for my family (mostly my parents and my parents-in-law). They have done so much for me and I really don't know what I would do without them. Considering that I haven't seen my own parents since last summer, it's actually a good thing because it just makes me miss them even more and the fact that my mother-in-law lives here in Ithaca, has brought us closer than before.
Of course I am thankful for the love of my life. I have been with James six years and married to him for four. He by far is my first and only true love. I don't think I have ever been so happy to have him in my life as I do now. It's funny because almost eight or nine years ago, I had a dream that I met a guy that had brown hair and blue eyes and came from a family from nothing but brothers. Who knew that God was telling me something? Who knew that I was going to meet my soulmate two years after having that dream? Who knew that I was going to marry this man? I know who and that person was God. They do say that God works in mysterious ways and look, He worked this one for sure!
I should have an updated picture of my friends and myself, but this is what will do....for now. I am thankful for my friends. Some of them haven't been there, but some of them have and especially when I needed them the most. There is one particular friend that I have that I haven't spoken to in two or three years and frankly to be honest, I really think that God is trying to tell me that it's time to part with her and move on even though it will be hard, I know it will be for the best. I know that there are times that I wish I could call her or just visit her when I am home visiting my folks, but there's nothing I can do and right now, I am ready for the next step...moving forward.
Not to sound selfish or anything, but I am thankful for my health. I have yet to get sick (even though currently James is sick and I know that there's a great chance that I will get sick too) and I am so glad that I have no diseases or that I haven't missed a day of work because I am sick because I am not sick!!! I am so happy (watch, I just think that I jinxed myself; I will get sick within a couple of days).

Lastly, I am thankful for my Lord Jesus Christ. Not only is He there when I need Him the most, but He is always there for me no matter when or what day it is. He is the reason why I am the person that I am now and I feel that I am a changed person because of Him and for that I give Him the most thanks of all.
I don't think that I need to write anymore on this blog because everything that I wanted to say is already said (hope that made sense).
Well, I am falling asleep as I type so I am going to sign off.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This is signing off! Enjoy your turkey, friends, and family! God bless!

What Goes Up Must Go...

2008-11-24T19:33:00.002-05:00

Down...all the way down. When I went to work this morning, I was in the greatest of moods but now, I really don't know what mood I am in so I will let the faces make the decision for me: So, everyone! It's Monday and what a Monday it is here in Ithaca, New York. The weather is somewhat cold with a rain-snow mix going on and I bet if it gets any colder, I am sure that we would have snow overnight. Today was my first time opening the Pharmacy (meaning getting there at 9 when the Pharmacy opens instead of 11) and I thought that today was going to be a good day....until one Technician and Greg (the Pharmacist) got into it. She just didn't know how to shut up and I almost wanted to do this I know that she had her reasons why she called out so much and of course I didn't say anything about them but Greg did. In fact, he called her out on a lot of things like why she didn't follow company policy or why come back from breaks later than she was supposed to. And while he was telling her this, she looked at me and all I could say was but of course, I didn't say it out loud. Then, she got into my face by saying that I wasn't even working six months and I got two weeks vacation. It's not my fault that I got it. I asked for it so I got it plain and simple. Sometimes I wish that I could just float

away when stuff like this happens and come back down when it's all over and done with. This had nothing to do with me and yet, she decided to include me in it. When the other technician came in, she decided to talk to him instead of Greg and I and to be honest, I thought that was a bit childish of her. What did you expect me to do? Stand up for you and be on your side and say, don't worry everything will be ok; I got your back. No, I won't do that now or ever. This particular technician is a

type of person in other words, narcissistic very narcissistic and there's no changing her one bit. Ever since I have been back to this particular pharmacy, she has been saying nothing but bad things about me and because of that, I will never ever stand up for her. Sounds harsh, yes but I am one of those type of people that it takes a LONG time for me to forgive you for what you have done especially if you don't actually admit that you did it in the first place. There are times that I wish that I could blink

her gone, but I know that can't happen so I just have to suck it up and go with the flow.
Have you ever danced and felt good about doing it? As a matter of fact, have you ever just stopped and rejoiced to see what God has done for you? It's times like what I went through today that I could never . And with prayer, you would be surprised on how much it can help you. It has helped me plenty of times (counting today). I think that I am done writing in here for tonight. I still need to eat dinner and go to bed because I have to work tomorrow morning. Have a good night everyone and God bless!

Is This Meaningful?

2008-11-22T10:10:00.005-05:00

Today is Saturday and I am off from work for the first time in two weeks and boy does it feel good. I really don't know what to write in here because Thanksgiving is next week and I will write a Thanksgiving blog so who really knows at this moment?
Sometimes I wish that I could look into a crystal ball or globe

and predict what is going to happen to me within the next day, month, or even second. Yesterday at work was bad but not as bad as it could be. I was by myself yesterday (Sean had the day off and Lori of course called out) and I was with Sandy and Nighat (the Pharmacist). I wasn't even supposed to be in until 11, but they called me in to come in an hour early. It wouldn't have been so bad if Nighat helped me instead of looking at the computer and complaining that we had so much in the fill que (which was only 30) and didn't know what to do with herself. There were times that I wanted to tell her to , but that's not really nice so all I could do is breathe in breathe out breathe in breathe out and take everything in stride. I couldn't even put the drug order away and I felt bad for not being able to do that either. I do have to admit that we didn't have anything left to fill by the time we got done with everything so I was happy about that.
That was my rant about work for the week, so now onto something completely different let alone random. Do you ever wonder if mermaids exist? I know that they really don't, but then again, after watching Finding Nemo, I found out that there are so many different kinds of fishes in the oceans. Ok, I think that I need to wrap this up so I am. I will write on Thanksgiving for sure. Have a good weekend everyone and God Bless!
Oh and by the way, to answer my question of my blog, NO, this isn't a meaningful blog. Shocked? I know I'm not.

Jabbering at it's Best

2008-11-08T12:12:00.003-05:00

Look here:

I am now going to hypnotize whoever reads this blog to read my own blogs from now on. Come on, you are getting sleepy very sleepy. Oh well, it didn't work but I did get your attention didn't I? I really don't know what to write today because today is just one of those days. Those days that you just want to be lazy and enjoy it because you had a crappy week.
Sometimes there are days that I wish I could be like this: just sitting on a train, bus, or whatever vehicle I choose and just let the wind hit me as I am going to a place that I have never been before or just destination that I know that will turn up OK in the end. Then again, I also wish that I could be Wonder-Woman: spin around into my costume and save peoples lives, help beat the bad guys, or just to solve a crime would be nice too. Yes, I am jabbering. Hey, it could be worse I could be complaining about work, but I am not.
I wish our apartment had a bathtub so I could just sit in it, read a good book, and relax. Then again, I am not really a bath person; I am more of a shower person so that would be out of the question. Although I would love to do that just once to see what it would be like. I just realized that James and I haven't been on a "date" in gosh I really don't know how long. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just be like these two people sitting at a restaurant and enjoying each others company? I think it will happen sooner than later. It just sucks that we are both so busy with work and what not.
Well, James just woke up so I am going to walk away from this blog and may write more tomorrow or the day after. Have a good weekend everyone and God Bless!

Why?

2008-11-07T07:22:00.004-05:00

Why? Why do I let him (meaning Tim, the Pharmacist) get to me so much?! I decided to get up an hour earlier than I usually do so I can write on here. Yesterday at work was by far the worse days I have ever had and I just pray that it doesn't get any worse (then again, I know it won't because Tim won't be here much longer). So here goes the story of what happened yesterday...

I was by myself (since Sean had the day off) and I was working 11-7. Tim and I were already off to a rocky start because he said that I don't know how to multi-task and that I tend to do other things when I am supposed to do one thing at a time (like he wanted me to). I went on the Wire (Wal*Mart's site for employees) to check if there was any drug that was recalled and there was a few to be exact so I decided to do them. Tim didn't like that at all. But after convincing him that I needed to get that done, he was OK with it (or so I thought). So when I was done with that, I went back to filling prescriptions. So when I put a tote on the counter for him to verify it, I notice that there was an MTR (that's when we use over-the-counter drugs to fill a prescription) that I needed to do so I thought that I would be able to do that before Tim closed the Pharmacy for a half-hour. Again, I was wrong. So, he told make that he yelled at me that I could do that later so I took the paper back and placed it to where I can get it. He proceeded to yell at me and told me that I don't grab things from him. I told him not once not twice but three times to leave me alone, but he wouldn't. Then, he threw the "Lori Card" (meaning comparing me to her and I can't stand it when people do that) saying that this is where I am like Lori nice one day mean the next. And I said that goes for him too, but he can be an a**. Once I said that word, it was like a flash of lightning hit me and I was like crap, did I really say that? Anyways, he said that he was going to tell Management and I told him that I will tell them myself and I did. The Store Manager was surprised that I didn't say anything else besides that and just be careful.
When the half-hour was done and the Pharmacy was open again, I apologized and he forgave me (I really don't know if I believe him or not) and wanted to shake my hand, but I didn't want to take it that far (guess pride was talking). See, if Lori would have said that to him, I am sure that she wouldn't have apologized to him. As a matter of fact, she would have said it was justified. She has walked out on him and left him there by himself until Sean got there and that's something that I could never do no matter how bad he has gotten to me that day. He asked me yesterday if he pressures me too much and to be honest with him, yes he does. It was bad enough that I had to deal with this when Joe was here but to deal with this while Tim is here, can get old not to mention very frustrating. All I ask is that you bear with me, help me when I need you to, and don't be patronizing. Unfortunately, Tim would never do any of the stuff that I just mentioned and I am officially counting down until he leaves for good (and in case you are wondering it's like 19 or so days). I usually don't complain about work on here, but yesterday was just one of those days that I know that I can never forget and that really got to me so I thought that I would write it on here. I am just glad that I have James, my family, and most importantly God to be here for me when I need someone to talk to or else I would go nuts!
On a different note, the elections are finally over and we have a new president and vice president: I am just glad that it's finally over and now we can see what Obama can do for us (well, starting January when it's really official).
Well, I am done writing in this blog so I will just say have a good Friday, good weekend, and until the next time I write in here, God Bless!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T20:50:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween! I had to work today, but James didn't so he (but I joined in later) went to our neighbor's Halloween party. James dressed up as Hillary Clinton and I didn't dress up because of the fact that I was way too tired from work to dress up as anything. When I get the photos up-loaded, I will post the picture of James dressed up. He even had the mask and it was quite funny to be honest. Just wanted to write a blog on Halloween and since I really didn't get to do much because I had to work the next day. Thanksgiving is the next holiday on the list and I will write a blog then. Then again, I know that I will be writing blogs in between then too. Until then, Happy Halloween and God Bless!

It's Amazing....

2008-10-25T18:17:00.005-04:00

Since my last blog post was absolutely pointless and all it had was pictures to describe different dances that had to do with titles of songs, I thought that I would actually write in a post that has some meaning to it (if that makes any sort of sense). So, the title of my blog is called "It's Amazing" because there's so many things that I have realized about myself and "it's amazing" that it took me this long to finally see it. So, here goes nothing (oh and by the way, pictures will be added with this just for fun):

It's Amazing that after being alive for 29 years, I am still the woman that I was when I was in high school. Not to mention the fact that I still have that spunk and it amazes me that James still loves me just the way that I am.

It's Amazing that I can still act like a kid when I am around my nephews and they find it amusing. I can blow bubbles and no matter how big or small I make them, my nephews want to do the exact same thing. Even playing video games with them and beating a particular boss makes them smile so just to make my nephews beam is such a wonderful thing.

It's Amazing that I still love to wear dresses or the fact that I am still a "girly girl". No matter what the occasion it is, I love wearing them. Even when I hung out with just the "boys", I still wore dresses and they (the boys) found it odd that I wouldn't want to wear jeans or shorts. Even in elementary school when it was "gym day", I would still wear dresses just to get out of doing the exercises that the gym teacher planned that day.

It's Amazing that the two occasions that I have worn make-up are my wedding and prom and haven't worn make-up since. James doesn't really care either way. I guess I am not such a "girly girl" after all. Then again, I do love getting my nails done every now and then and wearing lip gloss isn't a bad thing, is it?

It's Amazing after being married to James for four years, we still feel like newlyweds. We haven't fought at all, still chase each other, tell each other everything, and most of all, tell each other that we love them. The fact that he can still make me laugh when I am having a bad day or just lean on his shoulder so I can put my head on it is such a wonderful thing.

It's Amazing that I can still say that . God has always been there for me when I am down, sad (same thing, I know), or just need someone to talk to whether James is here or not and it's amazing that He is listening when you are crying, laughing, or just thinking in your head. God is here no matter what.

It's Amazing that I still love to read. Reading anything and everything from mysteries to autobiographies still amaze me like it did when I was in college. Granted, I was an English major and I had no choice but to read I still find it fascinating.

It's Amazing that no matter how many times I say that I won't be drinking any more soda, I still do. Although I haven't consumed as much as I did in the past, I still drink it and I shouldn't be drinking soda period. I should either be drinking tea (without caffeine of course), juice, or water. Granted, while I am at work, I do drink more water because at the Pharmacy we have a water filter and I go through my water bottle like it is running out of style. I know that I can stop drinking soda or just limit myself to one can a day. I can do this, I can do this. I just have to keep on reminding myself that I can.

It's Amazing that I became an American citizen almost six years ago. It seems so much longer than that. I guess it's because I have been in this country for 28 years! Goodness gracious, where has the time gone?! Although I am glad that I am a US Citizen, I still yearn to go back to Nigeria to see my brothers, sisters, and my new niece. Seeing my new niece would make my day. I have received pictures and she's adorable just like I thought she would be.

It's Amazing that I still can't dance. Going to Nigerian parties are embarrassing because they (friends and family) stand there and watch me dance (or whatever I am doing) and find it funny that I can't do it. Even at my own wedding, I was glad that I was surrounded by my younger sister because she couldn't dance either. I mean I can slow dance (then again, who can't?) but I just wish that I could fast dance. My Mother and older sister dance very well and I guess I get it from my Father because he can't really dance either.

It's Amazing that I have lived in Ithaca, New York on and off for four years and I still get . Just last week, I was visiting my mother-in-law and when I was walking back home, I couldn't find my way back. I had to call her on my cell phone to ask her where I was. Pretty sad, isn't it? Sometimes it's almost as if I need James to walk with me everywhere and anywhere so I won't get again. Then again, I was walking back in the dark and things look different when you are walking in the dark versus daylight right? Yup, you got it, I am making excuses and I shouldn't. One of these days,weeks, months or even years, I will know Ithaca like I know the back of my hand.

It's Amazing that I have been out of college for five years and high school for almost twelve. Last year was my 10 year high school reunion and I couldn't make it and I heard it wasn't really worth going so I am not too disappointed that I missed it. And in college, you really don't have a reunion; more like if you want to go to the Homecoming Football game you can see people there. Then again, chances are you won't see the people you went to school with unless you call them and make plans.

It's Amazing that I have been a Pharmacy Technician for four years and people (or just one particular Pharmacist) still think that I don't know what I am doing. It doesn't take rocket science to input a prescription, count pills, or ring out a customer but this Pharmacist thinks that whenever I have a question, I should go to him. When I called another store to ask a question and the Pharmacist answered it for me and instead of letting me talk to the person on the other line, he pushed the receiver button. That made me mad, but what can you do? Even when Joe was here, he really doubted that I knew as much as he did if not more. All the technicians that I work with now versus then, they would always ask me questions and I would answer them. Now, it's like a competition on who can give the better answer. There's nothing that I can do about this except for answer the questions that anyone is willing to ask me.

It's Amazing that even though I haven't seen the first two High School Musicals, I want to see them including the latest one. Sad, but true. I have heard nothing but good things about these movies and I am always willing to give a movie a chance (especially the fact that my cousins love them).

It's Amazing that there are still celebrities out there that have morals and stand ground on them. Take The Jonas Brothers for instance. They wear purity rings on their left ring fingers and proclaim that they are saving themselves until marriage. Even Jordin Sparks wears one. I am sure that there are many more people out there that proclaim abstinence until marriage, but you don't hear them publicly speak out like these people so go them!

It's Amazing to find a song or two called "Amazing" one by George Michael and the other by Seal. By far, my favorite one is by George Michael. And just for the heck of it, I thought that I would share the lyrics with everyone.
Amazing by George Michael:
I was mixed up when you came to me
Too broke to fix Said 'daddy get you gone, I'm missing my baby'
Still missing my baby I was stitched up by the hands of fate
Said how you gonna make it on your own If luck is a lady?
Maybe luck is a lady I was going down for the third time
My heart was broken, I was not open to your suggestions
I had so many questions That you just kissed away
Tell me, I guess that cupid was in disguise
The day you walked in and changed my life
I think it's amazing, The way that love can set you free
So now I walk in the midday sun
I never thought that my saviour would come
I think it's amazing I think it's amazing
I think you're amazing You tried to save me from myself Said
'Darling, kiss as many as you want! My Love's still available
And I know you're insatiable'
We're like victims of the same disease
Look at your Big Bad Daddy, and your mom
And your mom...was always acting crazy
I was going down for the third time My heart was broken,
I though that loving you was out of the question

Then I saw my reflection Saying please don't let this go
Tell me, I guess that cupid was in disguise
The day you walked in and changed my life
I think it's amazing, The way love can set you free
So now I walk in the midday sun
I never thought that my saviour would come
I think it's amazing I think you're amazing
Celebrate the love of the one you're with
Celebrate, this life with you baby
I think you should celebrate yeah
Don't put your love in chains baby
No no, walk in the midday sun
I though I was dreaming I think it's amazing
I think you're amazing
I said celebrate the love of the one you're with
As this life gets colder And the devil inside
Tells you to give up

It's Amazing that I am still going on with this blog. I should shut up now. That's one bad habit I still have; once I start writing I can never stop and sometimes it ends up in gibberish and stuff that wasn't really relevant to what I was talking about to begin with. OK, I am done. Have a good night everyone and God Bless!

So She Dances...

2008-10-25T13:48:00.003-04:00

like you haven't danced before. I guess I am in such a good mood because this is the first Saturday that I have had off in goodness, I really don't know how long. So in light of me having a weekend day off, I thought that I would post pictures of everything and anything dancing. It's a Saturday everyone; dance with someone that you care about or just dance for no reason at all.
Have you ever heard of the song: Dancing in the Moonlight by Jack Wagner? Well, I was looking around the web and found this picture and I thought it was cute and not to mention pretty: Isn't it nice? I thought that this picture is gorgeous and the fact that it moves makes it even better. Or what about the song: Ballerina Girl by Lionel Richie? Here's another picture I found that reminds me of that particular song: Yes, I am bored today and I have nothing else to write about. Consider that a good thing because you don't want to read anything negative, do you? Everybody Dance Now by C&C Music Factory made me bring up this particular image: there's nine people dancing and they are all in unison. Pretty wicked, isn't it? Yup, I have no life today and for once it feels really really good! Even James is home with me and it can't get any better than this. Shadow Dancing by Andy Gibb brought this picture up: I love the way the couple is dancing and not to mention it looks fun!
At the Hop by Danny and the Juniors brought this picture up: a girl wearing a poodle skirt and the man wearing his hair slick back with the side-burns brings back memories of the movie Grease doesn't it? I think by far this is my favorite blog I have written on here by far (well, next to my blog titled What a Feeling it is....). I just realized that I have more pictures to post but no song that goes along with them. This sucks! Just kidding. Want to see a human and an animal dance? Here you go: So far, it looks like what all of these pictures have in common is the fact that they are almost in sync with one another.
Here's something you don't see everyday; a person dancing with a couple of balls in hand: It's raining here in Ithaca and James and I decided to stay home and actually spend time with each other and not worrying about what's going on outside or anything else for that matter. Feels nice to just be with my husband and take a sigh knowing that there will be more days like this. I came across this picture and found it funny due to the fact that it's a stick figure dancing and you don't see pictures like this everyday. I just realized that my background is black so there's a good chance that the black images that I have on here people may not be able to see. So I do apologize for that. Here's another version of Shadow Dancing but this time, the shadow dancers is changes colors:red, white, and blue to be more exact. I should have put this on my Fourth of July blog. I think that this is by far is my favorite shadow dancer: I guess it's because it reminds me of the movie Flashdance (the only thing missing is the dancer sitting down and pouring water on herself).
Dancing with flowers is the only thing I think this best describes this picture:

This brings back memories of the 70s where everything and anything was flowers and hippies. Doesn't it look like the dancers are wearing bell-bottoms? I guess I am done writing this blog for today. Halloween is this Friday and I will be writing a blog dedicated to Halloween. Until then, have a good weekend everyone and God bless!

Rants and Runts..

2008-10-21T19:20:00.004-04:00

I am doing good. Actually, I am not doing so well so I guess I just might vent on here.But before I start, as everyone knows, it's officially Autumn. It doesnn't really feel like Autumn it feels more like Winter. Then again we are in Ithaca, New York so everyday feels like Winter ever since Autumn has arrived. In light of the season changing, I thought that I would have Autumn decorations on here. I am just facinated by them so I do apologize if I overdo it. I am done putting Autumn pictures on here. I also realized that I haven't written on here for almost a month (or it could be a month who knows) so I just wanted to write on here. I know that there are some people that read my blog, but I am not quite sure who does. I have some idea, but then again I am not sure. Ok, I am done with that, on to a different subject. How about work? Oh and to for warn you, I am going to use pictures to describe my feelings (it's a lot more fun that way).
Ever since Joe left a little over a month ago, we have had this guy named Tim work at this Pharmacy and frankly, I am not liking this at all. Let's see if I can put what he is like into pictures: . Figured it out yet? Ok, here are the answers: he's demanding, sarcastic, and he has known to make people cry (I was one of them, but I cry when I am angry not only sad). Every person who has dropped off a prescription to have filled, he has told them two or three hours. When people question why it would take that long, instead of telling them why, he tells them that they (the customers) can take their prescriptions somewhere else. People have complained about him, but nothing has happened. Even our store manager isn't fond of him so what can we do? Absoultely nothing!! For me, all I can do is pray whenever he gets me mad. Because when I pray, it helps calm my nerves and not to mention it prevents me from doing or saying something that I know that I will regret later. I don't think that I have more to vent about work because the only problem we (meaning Sean and I) have is Tim and we can only hope that we get a better Pharmacist soon and FAST!!!
Onto a different subject....Grandma Shew's 80th Birthday!!! Yup, her birthday isn't until January, but I thought that I would bring it up now. Grandma Shew (James' grandmother on his Mom's side) is the closest thing that I have to a grandmother (since both of my grandmothers have passed away) and I am so extremely blessed that I have her in my life. She treats me like as if I was one of her own and there's nothing like her. Not to mention Grandpa Shew (her husband of almost 58 years). He's one of a kind too and just like Grandma Shew, he treats me as if I was one of his own. I love these two people so much and I am just so incredibly blessed to have them in my life. I guess I just spoke about both Grandma and Grandpa Shew instead of just Grandma Shew. James and I are going to see them on Friday and we are so looking forward to it.
Different subject time....I really don't know what else I need to talk about. I am just happy that I finally figured out how to put these smilies on my blog without having to upload them. Can't believe that the elections are coming up in a couple of weeks. I don't know whether to vote for or for . Decisions decisions!! Then again, I do have an idea on who I want to vote for (but I won't mention it on here).
Since I have nothing else to say, I will just say Have a goodnight everyone and God bless!

In a New York Minute...

2008-09-17T20:18:00.005-04:00

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." -Psalm 39:7
I usually don't complain about work on here. In fact, I don't think that I have ever complained about work on this blog until now. I thought that before I eat dinner, I would complain. Complain about work today. One of the Techs called off today and I was left by myself. Usually I can handle it, but not today. Everyone (meaning the customers) were mad, annoyed, or both at me and there was nothing that I can do about it. All I can do is put a smile on my face and apologize for the inconvenience. This isn't the first time that this Tech has called out when this particular Pharmacist was working. Usually, I can just bear and grin it, but not today. I was annoyed let alone ticked. God was really working overtime with me just to keep me from going on the edge.
"Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." -Psalm 24:14 It's funny on just when you think that no one is on your side, God will always be on your side and be there just when you need Him the most. Sam (the Pharmacist) was reading his Bible and was reading scripture and out of no where, I felt healed. It felt great to be healed and from that moment on, I knew that I can handle the mean, impatient, rude, and unjust customers. He was reading so many that I couldn't keep up with him, but some verses stuck in my head. Here's one of them: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life." -Matthew 6:25-27 And here's the most important one of all: "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34 I am so glad that God brought Sam to work with me today. He (Sam) made the day that we had turn from bad to wonderful! And all it took was him reading scripture. People were shocked that I didn't go off or just snap. All I could say is patience is a virtue after all isn't it? And they (the customers) just smiled. God has really showed me what patience is and for that, I am truly thankful that I have Him by my side now and always. Granted, I somewhat did have help (Sandy helped me as much as she could) and Sam did his very best to help me fill some prescriptions while I was on lunch or helping other customers out. So today wasn't a total bummer after all.
As I am typing this, I am listening to Dave Koz. It's amazing on just listening to Jazz music can just relax me and make me feel better after a long day of work. Tomorrow, Sean and I are the only ones working so it shouldn't be that bad. Notice I said shouldn't. Maybe he can help me put the drugs away while I take care of the customers or maybe Sandy can help me some more. I hope so anyways. Joe (the old Pharmacist) called today to see how everything is going and personally, I wish he didn't. It only made it worse because when I complained about not having any help, he just laughed and said that everything will be OK. Did I just say that he made it worse? Actually, as I really think about it, he made it better. He kept my spirits up and that was what I needed. Not to mention that he made me laugh too and no one can do that better than Joe.
On a different note (funny, I really didn't complain about work now did I?), I just got informed that I will be full-time instead of part-time! I am thrilled and I am looking forward to be getting more hours. I even told the assistant manager that I want a set schedule and he couldn't agree with me more. Things are now beginning to look up and all it took was Sam reading scripture! Amazing I tell ya amazing!! Oh and also, James and I maybe make that we are moving next summer to Odessa. He wants us to live in a house (well, a trailer of some sorts) and see what God can bring us out there. At first, I wasn't really into it, but now I know that I am ready for the challenge. With God and James by my side, anything and I do mean anything is possible. I also called the Pharmacy Manager over at the Wal*Mart over there and asked her to let me know if there will be any openings come up in the summer and of course she will. I guess I am done. I have one more verse and it couldn't be anymore fitting to close this: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." -Proverbs 3:5-6
Have an awesome night everyone and God Bless!

Moment of Truth..

2008-09-16T13:52:00.003-04:00

everyone, and since James is away in Odessa helping his Father clean up their house, I thought that I would write in my blog. Some life I have right? The following Bible verse has always helped me just when I think that it wouldn't, it did and I am so thankful for my Lord Jesus Christ and without Him, I am nothing.
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."Psalm 18:2-6
James describes me as but I think that I am cool and crazy; I don't know what part of "sexy" James sees, but he sees a lot in me more than I do. Then again, through faith and a lot of prayer, I have been seeing myself as beautiful, happy, and worthy to God and James and nothing can make me more happier. I used to have a real low self esteem and I am glad that I finally have a high self esteem because it doesn't really feel good when you are down on yourself correct? Wow, I haven't been saying much have I? Then again, I have. Sometimes I think that I say way too much for my own good. It can get me in trouble, so I have learned that I need to mind my Ps and Qs. Then again, I am very outspoken and that can get me in trouble, so instead of speaking it out loud I can put it on here right? Also, I won't say anything bad or negative just positive. I also have James to vent to as well so that works too! Thank goodness...phew!
When I see James, I feel like but that is only after not seeing him in a few days. Although I don't roar at him, I just want to hug and squeeze him and not to mention tell him that I missed him. James is my rock; besides God, I really consider him my soul mate. He knows me inside and out. I am whenever I see or even think about him. We have been married for four years and it seems a lot longer than that because we have been through so much.
Now on to something completely different. I saw this picture and since I love fruit so much, I thought that I would share it. Interesting photo isn't it? I don't think that I have ever seen fruit morph like this and it's pretty darn cool. Wow, I am jabbering again. Know what that means? This means that I have to sign off because I am talking about nothing nothing at all.
I just wanted to talk about James and God so I am done for now. Have a wonderful day everyone and God Bless! Oh and "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"1 Corinthians 3:16

Meaningless Mondays

2008-09-15T21:58:00.004-04:00

I have decided that if I get a chance to post a blog on Mondays, that it won't be anything meaningful, just meaningless. That way I can have the rest of the week to make up for it. Stupid, I know but I could write about what happened over the weekend and what not, but again, the same thing happens over the weekend (work and more of it) unless I get to have the weekend off and do something. So, Mondays will just be meaningless Mondays. Enjoy!
Have you ever had mornings like this? Where you feel like falling asleep once you get up? Trust me, I think everyone has. Even when I feel like I am wide awake, I am still dead tired.

But once I get a second wind, I feel like singing or dancing like this girl below: Then again, I wouldn't really say that I feel like singing or dancing, but I am sure that I am more ready to go to work than I was before.

Or have you felt like doing this to particular customer or person after they have made you mad? I don't think that this person is showing the "bird", I just think that he is just sticking his tongue out (just look at his hands before he raises them). It could be worse, we could curse the person or customer out, but that wouldn't be nice. I think that if you were to stick your tongue out, it would be better because of the fact that it would be a easier pill to swallow so to speak.

When someone gets on your nerves or just when you need to reassure them that everything is going OK, I feel that if you do this, it will almost guarantee them a smile:

I really don't know where I am going with this, but who really cares? This is to me a meaningless post so who really cares? On a different note, Halloween is coming up. Anyone know what they are going to be? You can chose from the following costumes:
But if you don't like these, you can always decide on something else (that is if you are actually going to trick or treating, going to a costume party, or just hand candy out to the kiddos).
Have you ever looked for fun pictures and came across one of these? This picture is a good way to close meaningless Mondays. This picture is out there not to mention pretty darn cool. Well, I am signing off now. Have a goodnight everyone and God bless!

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye...so I Will Just Say Good Luck!!

2008-09-12T19:55:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, September 9 marked a history in making. Joe Busuttil the Pharmacist at Wal*Mart left Ithaca, New York to go live in Greer, South Carolina. I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't think that it was going to happen this fast. He has lived in Ithaca, NY and has taken care of so many people for 33 years. I also knew that I was going to cry, but again, I didn't think that I would cry in front of him. I posted some pictures of him just to reminisce of what we (Joe and I) had together and not to mention some of my favorite pictures of him.

Oh and by the way, if you want to see them (the pictures) bigger, feel free to click on them. The picture above is by far my favorite on of all. Whenever I got a medical pen (a pen with a drug name on it), he would beg for it since he collects them. And when I said no, he would give me a frown like you see above and of course, like always I gave in and gave it to him. Now if I get a pen, I will always remember the frown he would give me and just smile. It has already been two days and I miss him very much. I didn't think that I would, but I do. OK, now more pictures.

Every Sunday that Joe worked (which was every other weekend of course), he ordered food like his Pharmacist used to do and of course, since I worked every weekend I would take advantage of the food that he bought. He would order Chicken Parm. sandwiches or Pizza and boy were they good! In this picture though, he decided that he would change things up a bit and get a meatball sandwich and we both agreed that it was the biggest mistake he could have ever made (the sandwich sent us to the bathroom).

The following pictures are of Joe and some of his Technicians that he used to work with. John was one of them. Granted, John didn't get to work with Joe that long, but when Joe, John, and I worked together it was fun and yet stressful. Stressful for the fact that John felt that he didn't get to do as much as I did or that he wasn't learning anything but overall, I wouldn't trade working with John for anything. He was and still is someone that I can turn to whether it would be about work, Joe, Wal-Mart or just life. Next to James, I would have to admit that John is one of my closest friends and I couldn't thank you God anymore than I do for him. Here's another picture of John and Joe:

Out of all the Technicians that Joe and I worked with, Korrina (with whom I am pictured with below.) by far was the best (well, one of them...just kidding) Technicians that I have ever worked with. We never argued, got into a fight, or just clashed. We worked and laughed and I wish that all the Techs that I worked with were just like her. Then again, I did work with Danielle and she comes to a close second on one of my favorite Technicians that I got to work with.
When Korrina and I worked at CVS together, we would buy each other food and whenever I had a question, she would help me instead of brush me aside like most Certified Pharmacy Technicians do to a new person like myself. Even though I am not working with Korrina anymore, she has taught me so much and I thank Joe and Chad (another Pharmacy Technician) for bringing us together (hope that makes sense). Heck, there's a good chance that I may work with Korrina again, it all depends on if Dennis (the Pharmacy Manager at CVS) will hire me back with more hours and more pay. Then again, I don't know if I want to leave Wal*Mart. I think that I have it really good right now and the fact that Joe left, will mark only good things and new beginnings rather than bad things and old beginnings.
I saved the best picture for last. Before I left for Illinois last summer, I took several pictures of Joe and everyone (hence, the pictures you see here) and John took a picture of Joe and I.

Joe is more than a Pharmacist to me, he's the Father that I never had. He knows that because I always called him Dad and sometimes I called him Joe-Joe. No one else called him this well, then again, Liz called him Dad once, but I am the youngest one there in the Pharmacy and I called him Dad (not in front of customers of course). A lot of his customers will miss his warm smile, his attention to detail, and how he took care of them, but I will miss more than that. I will miss the man that I could turn to when I just needed someone to vent to while I was at work or just someone to yell at (yep, we had our shouting matches).
Joe is at a better place now. He's away from the snow and he is with his girlfriend. It took nine years for them to finally be happy and now they are. His girlfriend even told me that she's looking forward to finally seeing (she's been at their new house by herself for almost two months now) him. So, in closing, Good luck Joe! I will miss you like always, but you will always carry a place in my heart and not to mention it's about time!

With This Ring, I Thee Wed...

2008-08-07T21:20:00.011-04:00

On this day, August 7, 2004, I married the love of my life, James Martin Bolton. I am no longer Andrea Ngozi Chikezie. I am now Andrea Ngozi Chikezie-Bolton (yes, I hyphenated my name just to make it more difficult). I just can't believe that I have been married to James for 4 years. A lot has happened in these four years and it has only made us stronger not weaker.
I decided to post some of my favorite wedding pictures on here to honor our four year wedding anniversary and if you want to see them bigger, click on them!
This picture is one of my favorites...James got our wedding cake on me and just when I was about to get him, he dodged it and of course the photographer caught it just in time.
Out of all of the pictures that James and I took that day, this by far is my favorite. When this picture was taken, I felt (don't know about James) that no one else was even around; just James and I looking at each other's eyes. I love the way the background looks and everything else. The way James is looking at me, I can tell that he loved me then and still loves me. When James looks at me the way he is in this picture, I am always reassured that everything will be OK no matter what the circumstance is. I guess in this picture, we were getting a little ancy and wanted to go to the reception area by limo but James wanted to make sure that this picture ended up perfectly and it did.
This picture wasn't taken by a professional photographer, but by my Uncle. This is a nice picture because we always have our heads touching. Go figure! :)

This picture was taken my maid of honor Toni (Meyer) Buttner. James and I have this blown up to an 8x10 or something like that. We even made wallet sizes to send to our friends and family in our Christmas cards we sent out as our first Christmas as Husband and Wife (notice our heads our touching once again).
This is also one of my favorites. You can see how long my wedding dress train is and not to mention you can see the front door of the chapel where we got married. Our heads are touching again...There are more pictures that the photographer took, but I am not sure if I want to post them but then again, never mind. Maybe when we are married for ten years. Wait, I never did put pictures of James with the bridesmaids and me with the groomsmen. OK, here's James with the bridesmaids: Here am I with the groomsmen (minus one): James with the groomsmen (minus one): Myself with the bridesmaids: and lastly, James and myself with our parents minus his mom:
When James and I got married, we had no idea that we would have his brother stay with us for a while let alone have my sister stay too (separate times of course). That was a huge test for us. I know that God was watching over us because I really do think that God was testing us to see if we can have family stay with us no matter what the circumstance was and fortunately, we passed! Although when my little sister stayed, she had to pay while she was with us and James' brother didn't have to. I felt that it was unfair, but back then I didn't. Conor wanted to save up money so he can live on his own and Roxy seemed like she wanted to stay there for as long as she could. Wow! Just when I thought that I really couldn't do it anymore, but again, God has taught me about patience and it paid off. She moved out within a few months.
The day after James and I got married, we moved to Ithaca. Actually, we moved to Odessa to live with his parents until we found a job and an apartment in Ithaca. Luckily, it didn't take that long for James to find us an apartment in Ithaca. The only problem was finding a job but then again, I did find one within a month so that wasn't really that bad. I guess the problem was money. We did have enough money to move in, but we didn't have enough money to buy food or anything like that so James had to pawn his guitar and our DVDs. We also had to ask his Aunt and my Mom for money. We paid them back as soon as we could. That was the worse thing that we ever had to do but again, God has taught us about material things and we realized that that stuff wasn't really important (not to mention that in due time we would be getting that stuff back soon).
When James and I left for New York, I didn't realize that I didn't pack most of my clothes in my big black suitcase. BIG MISTAKE!!! I called my Mom and asked her to send some of my clothes to Odessa. She was mad at me and it was clearly justified. We also realized that we didn't take our wedding gifts with us either. It was until we lived in Illinois six months ago that we finally got our wedding gifts and we are still waiting for the rest of them.
Throughout our four year marriage, we have only fought twice. Yes, you read that right twice. The first time was when we were in Illinois and the second time was when I was in Kansas visiting my Mom. Both of them were blown way out of proportion. I like to overreact and James knows this and if I wasn't such a brat about things, we wouldn't have fought at all. James and I talk about everything and I do mean everything. From how our day went to what is bothering us, we talk about it and it's such a good thing because it relieves stress and it makes me feel that I know I can go to him no matter what the situation entails.
I think that I have blabbed or blogged enough about my wedding anniverary and about my marriage to James. I do want to mention one thing though. What we did on our anniverary. We didn't get to spend the whole day together because I had to work, but he did surprise me with my favorite dinner that he makes: burritos!! His burritos are really good! Now that we are trying for a child, I feel that this is the next step in our marriage and I am looking forward to becoming a Mom. I know I will make a good Mom and James will make a fantastic Father! So I just want to say in closing.. I can't believe that I have been married to you James for this long, but I am ready for many many more years to come!

The Perception of Andrea

2008-07-29T18:46:00.003-04:00

I thought that I would write a blog on my first night back in Ithaca about perception. The picture above is how I see myself. Everyone loves to see me smile. In fact everyone says that I have a beautiful smile and the people that know my family say that I have my father's smile (I do have to agree with that one).

This is how others see me when I am thinking about something or someone..doesn't really matter what I am thinking about, it's all what shows on my face. And just for your information, James took this picture as I was looking for sea-shells in Florida.

I don't know if you can make out this picture or not, but this is how everyone and I do mean everyone perceives me. I have this look on my face and people think that either I am mad, sad, or just not in any mood to talk. Can't I just have a face that really doesn't show what it means? Unfortunately, I don't have a face for that. My biggest flaw is that when I am thinking about something whether it's bad, good, sad, or even funny I have the same look on my face (which you see above) and people think that I am mad but I am not. It really sucks that people assume that I am mad without asking first.
I remember going to James' family reunion for the very first time and I just had a blank stare (or should I say the face that I have above) and people thought that I was in a bad mood or I didn't want to be there that wasn't the case. Sometimes I wish that I could smile all the time or just have a face that everyone understands but then again, that wouldn't be me now would it? I just wish that people could understand me and know what goes through my mind before making accusations...wait, did I just say that I wish people could read my mind? I didn't mean it that way, I just meant that before people make accusations, they would ask me before assuming that I am mad at someone, something, or just a situation.
On a dfferent note....way different note.....My week in Lawrence was non-productive and it was great!! Although I did wish that I got my notary done...then again, I am glad I did it here. Since my bank is here, there was no charge. I didn't know that there was a charge for that..you learn something new everyday. The only regret that I have is well, it's not really a regret it's more of what I really wanted to see. What I really wanted to see are my two nephews that I haven't seen I think going on a year. I miss them so much....they have such a stupid father...oh well, I hope that I can see them soon or even during the holidays...(insert prayer here)
Oh! Didn't I mention about my trip back to Ithaca (or Rochester)? It was amazing!! Amazing isn't even the word to describe it. Let me tell you about my trip back home (Lawrence, Kansas). I almost missed my plane by 2 yes 2 minutes. I am so glad that the crew was willing to wait for me or else I would have to reschedule and I didn't want to do that or pay the difference as well. Yea, I know the story was short and sweet about how I got back home to Lawrence, Kansas but, on the other hand, getting back to Rochester (Ithaca) a whole different ball game.
The first plane that I got on that connected from Kansas City to Washington, DC was scary!! Goodness gracious!! First of all, the plane was small (it only carried 24 people give or take) and when it took off, it was shaking like mad!! Then it dipped low a little, then shook more...scaring the living daylights out of me (I was grabbing on to the girl next to me and she was grabbing on to my arm as well.)! The plane finally stopped shaking and it was smooth...but then again, it still shook but not as much. That's what I hate about small planes; you can feel everything and I do mean everything.
The next plane that connected from Washington, DC to Rochester was awesome!! So laid back and relaxing so relaxing that I fell asleep. The pilot was so fast that I didn't even know that we reached our destination until the call was made. Did you like my story? Some story huh? Nothing to tell my future grandchildren or anything, but something I would tell my mother-in-law when I get a chance to see or talk to her.
It's 11:47pm eastern standard time and I need to wrap this up (going to work tomorrow morning at 11). I guess I have nothing else to say...for now anyways. I guess I am done!! This blog started out about how people perceive me then it ended with how my travel went to and from Kansas City to Rochester. Wow, don't I know how to change the subject?! :) Why not? Needed to spice this blog up a little! Have a good week everyone and God Bless!

Dance Like There's no Tomorrow

2008-07-25T18:15:00.003-04:00

Wow, two blogs back to back. And this time it's about dancing..or at least I would like think so.
I don't know at this moment. I guess I am obsessed with putting animated icons on here. Yes, Andrea, you are addicted or "obsessed" as you put it to using animated icons on the blog. Repeat after me: I am addicted to putting animated icons on your blog. Feel better? :) How funny is that?
I guess I am writing in here because this will be my last entry here in Lawrence, Kansas and it's somewhat bittersweet but then again, it's not. I am actually ready to go back to Ithaca, New York. I miss James way too much and I am ready to see him again. James even said that when I get back, the apartment will completely different from when I saw it last. Goodness, I am excited to see the apartment now.
I don't think that I have anything else to say...guess that's why I don't write in this thing everyday like some people that I know. I only write in here when I want to vent to just to speak out about something that has been bothering me. I just took a deep breath...and out came...NOTHING!!! What an amazing concept that is huh?! :)
Ok, I should wrap this up now. The next entry will be from Ithaca, New York and it may be a few days from now because to be honest, I don't think that there will be anything to say except for the fact that I will be working again and faxing my affidavit out to the credit card company to show that I have never used their services before...stupid identity theft. What can you do but learn from it right? That's all you can do not to mention pray about it as well. Being a victim of Identity Theft has taught me way too much and it has only made me stronger and wiser.

Hmmm..no comment on this picture..I just like putting animated pictures on my blog. Don't worry, the next I do put an animated pictures on my blog, I make sure it goes along with the topic or what I am blogging about. Deal? ;)

I just realized that I am making comments about the pictures that I have chosen without looking at them directly. I really need to stop this blog and sign off. I am not even tired...just exhausted from doing...NOTHING!!! What an amazing concept!

I felt like head-banging so this is the only thing that comes close. I really don't feel like head banging..just the thought of it makes my head hurt...goodness, I really need to stop jabbering...WOW!!!

I put this one on here because...well, who really knows? Probably because she's dancing and I guess I am in a dancing mood...no not really..then again..

I don't know why I put this person on here...I mean she's not animated or anything; just smiling and that's what I do each and everyday is smile. You have to smile at the silliest or the dumbest or the rudest things because if you don't, it will just make you go crazy for no particular reason.
Ok, I am officially done blogging for this week and here in Lawrence, Kansas! Have a wonderful weekend everyone and until then, God Bless!

What a Feeling it is....

2008-07-24T13:48:00.006-04:00

What a feeling it is...Oh how I wish I was fishing right now...(but not being eaten by the Shark of course) just sitting back and not worrying about anything or anyone for the time being. But, I can't and since I don't have a fishing license but, being at home for a whole week not worrying about work is my version of fishing. Or, I can be like Homer here and just drive endlessly until my heart and mind tell me to turn around and head back to my Mother's house and give her the keys and go downstairs and lay down and dream about what I just did over and over again.What a feeling it is....just to be doing nothing. Positively without a doubt nothing at all.
Whether it is driving, fishing, sleeping, or even relaxing. I just know that I am not doing anything that involves work and I must say it's such a grand thing. I just wish that James was with me to enjoy this feeling. Then again, when he has a day off, he enjoys it as much as he possibly can. Just relaxing and enjoying it until I have to go home on Monday. This has been a relaxing week; not caring about anything or anyone. Goodness, I need to have this more often. I don't know what I am jabbering about this time around but, at least I am making sense...or am I?
I don't know what the purpose of this blog is but then again, I guess it's about being lazy for the first time in I really don't know how long and it feels fantastic!! Or even watching the sunset sounds good with James after a rainy day sounds good to me at this point. This blog is a first for me; a first of many...meaning that I will try to put pictures to animate my moods...or something like that. Hey, at least I am not stumbling or falling like Homer here: I guess it could be worse but, I am sure that I won't be falling...just walking and enjoying what God has made.

Oh what a feeling it is to imagine myself sitting on a beach with James looking at the ocean: and wish that all of our worries would go away. Yet, we don't have any worries at all. Any worries that we do have we just put it up to God and we know that we will be fine. I won't be pacing or wondering if God will be there for me because I know He will always be there for me no matter what the circumstances are. Oh what a feeling it is that James and I could be dancing and not worry about getting dizzy from spinning so many times because we have each other no matter what lies ahead. Is this blog of mine or what? I don't think it is but it's really close. What a feeling it is not to worry about life because my life and health are great and I couldn't ask for more! I am blabbing and jabbering again. I don't know what I am talking about. I guess I just wanted to post pictures and I did so am I done writing? Who actually knows? It's 10:28pm central standard time and if I was in Ithaca, I would be thinking that I need to go to bed so I can get up early for work...then again, tomorrow is Friday and I wouldn't have to be at work until one so I guess sleeping in is an option. Oh what a feeling it is not to worry about it...for now anyways. :)
I am done writing..oh what a feeling it is to be done writing...get the theme of this blog? Hope so! Have a wonderful week and weekend everyone! God bless!

Reunited and It Feels So...So...Weird?

2008-07-11T21:59:00.004-04:00

Goodness, I really don't know where to begin on this one, but then again, I think I do. I am not crazy then again, I think that I am. I know that I am crazy in love with my husband and it is so good to be that in love. But, that's besides the point. Anyways, about 11 years ago, I met this guy online named Lyn. We would talk on the phone constantly (when I wasn't in class or if it was the weekend, we would just talk). We never knew what each other looked like, but we didn't care. We just talked and talked on the phone for hours on end. We would talk about stupid stuff and it felt nice to talk.
Eventually, we started to develop feelings for one another and before we both knew it, we were in love (I know how can you fall in love with someone that you never met let alone not know what they look like?). Not knowing what he looked like or the fact that he lived in Ohio didn't bother me one bit. He was the one person that I can go to whenever I was down and needed someone to talk to. I am fortunate now that I have someone like that (which is James). Three months into talking with one another I decide that we can't go on talking to each other and saying that we love each other if we can never meet and it broke his heart. I felt so bad for doing it, but I knew it was for the best.
Back in I think 2001 or 2002, I was working for the Alumni Center and there was a chance that we (the callers) can call anywhere (and I do mean anywhere) and for some odd reason, I had Lyn's phone number stuck in my head so I gave him a call. Boy was it awkward. He had no idea who I was, but then again, he did. After jogging his memory, the light bulb finally lit so to speak. We didn't speak long but it was long enough just to have a "walk down memory lane". LOL
Now on to the present.....I was on Facebook and I typed in his name and low and behold, there he was! I tried to add him as a friend, but he declined so, I decided to send him a message to see if he remembered me and he did! He was so shocked to see me (because remember, we never knew what each other looked like). And I was shocked to see what he looked like too. To both of our suprises, we pictured what exactly what we looked like to the T! :) To quote him, he is still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that I found him let alone remember him. We are both amazed that we found and remember each other after not speaking to each other for almost eleven years.
This doesn't mean that I am going to leave James for Lyn. I am not stupid. Lyn is someone that I will always remember as someone that was always there for me during my first year in college and for that, I was and still am thankful for that. I always hoped that I would find someone that was just like Lyn (caring, thoughtful, sweet, etc.) and I did. James. He is everything and more. I couldn't thank God for bringing James into my life when He did.
Now that I wrote most of my blog about Lyn, I think that it's about time that I moved on to a different topic...that could possibly the crazy, yet annoyed crab on top of this lovely blog. Trust me, this blog isn't

but, pretty close! :) Oh man, I have to get to bed because I have to work in the morning. Maybe this is God telling me that I shouldn't complain about work. Yea, I am not going to complain about work; there's nothing that anyone can do or say about working with this one particular woman so I am just going to grin and bear it!
Oh! I almost forgot! A week from today (Friday) I am getting new rings! What I mean by that is that I am getting a new wedding band and a new engagement ring! James chose them with the help of me of course and I couldn't be happier. The rings that I have on my finger well, the engagement ring is fake and I didn't really care about it but, James thought that after almost four years of marriage, I deserve something real (since I have complained only once that white gold doesn't look good on me but yellow gold looks much better) so we went to the jewlers on Tuesday and boom! I will be getting my new rings next Friday! I am so thrilled and excited!!! Yeay!!!
Ok, I think that I am done...for now anyways! Have a good weekend and God Bless!

It's Officially Official

2008-07-07T20:58:00.002-04:00

Today is official (now that everyone knows, I can put it on here). Daniel and Tori are expecting!! They are due at the end of January. Today, we (James, Sean, Conor, Finley, Jade, Casey, Grandma and Grandpa Shew, and James' parents) all had lunch today at oh crap, I forgot the name but anyway, the announcement was made that they (meaning James' grandparents) are going to be great-grandparents again (James' cousin Chris gave them their first great-granddaughter) and at first, Grandma Shew looked at me thinking that it was me, but I had to say no it's Tori. The look on her face was priceless. I don't know whether to say that she was thrilled or what. It's so hard to read her face. I told Grandpa Shew due to the fact that no one else wanted to tell him and when I said that he is going to be a great-grandfather and he was so excited; he actually thought that it was me! When I told him that it wasn't me, he was to me disappointed. He was thrilled that he's going to be a great-grandfather again, but I am sure that he wanted me to be pregnant. In fact, everyone and I do mean everyone wanted me to be pregnant right along with Tori. What they (meaning the family members) don't know is that James and I are trying again soon and we can't wait until we become parents.
Babies, babies, and more babies! Everyone (well just about everyone) that I know is having a baby! Amazing, isn't it?! Today, James and I (mostly myself) babysat for Tori's little boy Jackson. I am surprised on how good of a boy he is. Yes, he threw a temperatatrum, but other than that, he was pretty good. He calls me "Rea" (just take the first part of And off of Andrea and you have Rea). I guess that's good enough since apparently it's difficult for some kids to say my name. I either get Annie, Andy, or Underwear (don't ask about the last one).
Today, I also got to see the Bolton side of the family for the first time in four years and that was wonderful! I also got to meet James' Aunt Pat and Uncle Mike. They are wonderful people. In fact, I had no bad vibes or anything from them. I am so happy that James' family is so warm and loving and that also includes his Mother's side of the family as well. I remember meeting Phillip's family and extended family members and you could literally hear a pin drop because of the fact that they have never seen a black person before (you could just tell by the looks on their faces). I also remember meeting Chris' (James' cousin) father's side of the family and they were unique too.
I can't wait until I am a mother; I can blog about that and even put pictures on here too! I guess I am done now. Have a wonderful week everyone and God Bless!