You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2012.
⌂ My (real) name is always at the top of contact lists, so I get butt-dialed a lot. I always listen a bit to the soundtrack of someone’s life. (I do hang up if it sounds personal.)
⌂ My phone rang one afternoon, and I saw it was a college friend with whom I hadn’t spoken in ages. I picked it up thinking it was another butt-dial, but I was pleasantly surprised to find her on the other line just calling to check in. We had some great conversation that lifted my spirits for that night.
⌂ I’m still taking down Christmas decorations…
⌂ The weather the last few days has been absolutely perfect. I’ve been leaving windows and doors open throughout the day. It smells like springtime inside my house.
⌂ Some coworkers and I were eating at the same restaurant as one of our bosses. We said hello on our way to our table. Later that night we learned that our boss had covered our bill. It was such a nice surprise. I need to do that for someone.
⌂ I know some of the “50 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do.” I’m going to learn the rest. Watch me make a fire!
⌂ So, there’s this boy….
Hee!
Apparently providing patient education is a terminable offense.
For real.
All nurses and patients need to check out her story. And the follow-up here.
Pages will be set up on Change.org and Cause.com by tomorrow so that petitions can be made and funds can be gathered.
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Update 01/26/12:
Facebook Support Page: Nurse Up for Amanda Trujillo
Cause.com Support Page: Amanda’s Fight is Our Fight, Both Nurses and Patients Alike!
Banner Health on-line feedback: Tell her former employer how you feel about their actions.
Change.org Support Page: Arizona State Board: Remove Amanda Trujillo’s nursing license from “under investigation” status
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Update 01/27/12
Click here for a full resource list of ways you can support Amanda Trujillo.
Cerro de Guadalupe, Colombia
Or why a mountain is worth climbing.
My lovebird Pip will be 14 years old this summer.
I had just read Great Expectations in English class and thought Pip was a cute name. Incidentally, Pip was also short for Philip – the name of my current crush.
I can’t think of anything else I’ve had for so long. And I’m afraid that this connection to my 15-year-old self won’t be around much longer.
Pip loved to cuddle as a baby. As he got older, his instinct to do so faded. He was much more interested in flying around, playing, and exploring. Now he’s reverted back to his cuddly self. He’s content to curl up at my neck or be held in my hand.
So I take him out most mornings and nights just so he can be held and cuddled. And so that I can remember what it was like to be 15.
I’ve donated blood since I was in high school.
The last time I tried I was turned away due to a hematocrit of 37 (minimum 38 to donate).
Today my hematocrit was 31. And that was after three tries to get the machine to read my blood sample.
I think it’s more likely a nutritional deficit, so I’m going to work on increasing protein intake and add iron supplements over the next few weeks.
A third strike and I’ll make a doctor’s appointment.
° The first few days of work after a vacation are the hardest.
° Grandma’s food is the best, but I managed to only put on 5 lbs in a week.
° I started doing my 30-day shred workout again. (Only it’s more like 60 days since I don’t get up early enough on my work days.)
° I got to see my bestie who moved away. Love her and the four hours we spent catching up over spicy* Vietnamese soup and shopping.
* So spicy that I’m still feeling it the next day, but no regrets!
1. Being greeted by my dogs.
2. Being greeted by an amazingly clean house – even down to alphabetized DVDs. Thank you, sister’s friend who house sat for us!
3. Being greeted by my bed.
Be back in a week!
What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? I had never gone to a nice sit-down dinner with several courses and wines. First in Bermuda and now 3 times through a new dinner club. I ate foie gras, eel, beef tongue, pig trotters, and chicken feet. I went snorkeling and sea kayaking.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year? I’m continuing my own happiness project and using a life list for some fun goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth? A work friend had an adorable little boy. I predicted 8 months in advance that he would be born on my birthday. I was right.
Did anyone close to you die? I lost my great grandmother at the end of the summer. I expect my upcoming trip to Colombia to be bittersweet as I had thought I’d get to see her at least one more time.
What countries did you visit? Bermuda (British territory)
What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? More relationships. Never have I been more aware of my lack of good local friendships than when looking for people to go to these dinner parties with me.
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting over the fear of going to events alone. I’ve never regretted showing up. I have regretted staying home.
What was your biggest failure? Taking a new step professionally.
Did you suffer illness or injury? Thankfully, no.
What was the best thing you bought? Sewing machine. An a fabulous haircut.
Where did most of your money go? The usual – bills and savings.
What did you get really, really, really excited about? A certain boy asking me out. I couldn’t eat afterwards.
What song will always remind you of 2011? Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO and Black Water by Apparat.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier. Every year gets better and better.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.
What do you wish you’d done more of? Local sightseeing.
What do you wish you’d done less of? Sleeping in on my days off. I never feel good if I get up after 9am.
How did you spend Christmas? My family came over Christmas Eve. We drank hot chocolate and ate arepas while playing Taboo. Then we opened gifts. I spent actual Christmas day at work. It was incredibly busy for a holiday, but I had a nice time with my coworkers.
Did you fall in love? No.
What was your favorite TV program? Parks and Recreation.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No.
What was the best book you read? The Hunger Games.
What did you want and get? A better relationship with my sister.
What did you want and not get? Peace between my mom and sister-in-law.
What was your favorite film of this year? Bridesmaids.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 28 this year. My family always goes to a buffet anytime we go out to eat together. I tried to push for a new experience. (Really anywhere but Golden Corral or the local bad Mexican place.) I was outvoted. On my birthday. I realize that I’m still bitter about that. I’ve got to let it go.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably satisfying? Knowing that I had always done my best.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? I have no hard rules when it comes to patterns and colors. I like things more structured vs. flowy and loose. I hate most anything that ties in a bow in the back. I’m always cold, so I tend to layer. As soon as it’s cold enough the tights come out. I live in Texas, so that usually means sometime mid-December. Today’s high in the 8o’s got in the way.
What kept you sane? Having something to look forward to doing.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Kyle Chandler.
What political issue stirred you the most? Health care reform
Who did you miss? As always, I miss my college friends. We see each other once a year, and it just isn’t enough.
Who was the best new person you met? The creator of the local dinner party club. She and her husband are some of the loveliest people you could ever meet.
What is a valuable lesson you learned in 2011? Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t lose.
