I'm Looking California, but Feeling Minnesota

More randomness.......

1. I got a lot of good studying done today. YAY! I finished GI & I am such a dork b/c I love GI!!! I guess that's a good thing b/c I am going to be a GI surgical oncology PA (liver, specifically). ;)

2. I absolutely LOVE the new wine glasses that my sis got me. It is so nice to be drinking wine out of proper and nicer wine glasses. It's been one of those things I have been wanting, but just never got around to buying. LOVE THEM! They are classically beautiful, perfectly weighted, & they actually let the wine BREATH. Someday I truly want to be a wine snob. I do. Seriously. I knew I should have taken that wine class when I was at Cornell. shucks! Oh, but the bad thing about these properly sized red wine glasses....I sometimes pour too much. Hubby calls it an "Alli glass." I'm not a wino. I swears!













3. With the new Jukes, we are enjoying some good tunes. Thanks to ETK & Hubby, I am currently (and quite behind) REALLY loving the Garden State Soundtrack. Now I just need to buy the movie & some of the bands that are on the soundtrack. I heart Frou Frou!!

4. Speaking of music.... The title of this blog, for those of you that don't know or remember, is a line from an old Soundgarden song. I loved Soundgarden (still do)!!! Doesn't Chris Cornell have an amazing voice? I don't know what exactly the song means, but I think that is how I feel sometimes...

5. I'm bummed.... I was invited to 2 New Years parties this year, and I won't be going to either one. AND both are friends I haven't seen in forever. I need to be a party pooper this year so I can stay focused. 9 more days.....then freedom..... Then I can be social again. ;)

6. I like numbering things.

Brown Eyed Girl Christmas 2007

Photos from my family & Hubby's Texas family Christmas. Unfortunately, dumb me forgot to charge my battery & didn't bring the back up at my 'rents' house...so less pix. Anywho, enjoy!

Hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Techy Dorky Coolness

Dear Blog,
(This is how Hubby thinks I start my blogs)

I love my new toy! It is so way cool. I am so going to turn heads & everyone is going to wish they had one, too. Don't you all wish you were cool like me? Envy me.

Just kidding!!!

Anywho, it's fun! I love it! Hubby & I both got the red one. Very snazzy!

Maybe I will turn into that techy dork I always aspired to be.

;p

Today's Randomness: Brought to you by the letters P & M & S

Studying for my board exam and Christmas time is soooo not a good mix. It has been very difficult to stay focused, and the past week there has been little studying. Due to this and my tendancy to FREAK & STRESS out over such major exams, I have rescheduled my exam to Tues. Jan 8th. Perhaps some may think that postponing it 4 extra days is silly, but I don't care what those "some" think. If the 4 extra days to study helps me and eases my freaking-out-ness, then that's what I need. So there. ;p So I have 11 more days to study. I can't wait to get it over with!!!

So, I got my revised acceptance letter from the hospital I will be working at. The good thing about the letter is I am making a little more than they initially told me. But the bad thing..... due to the lengthy process of getting nationally certified, state licensed, and hospital credentialed, they gave me a start date of March 14th. Bummer. But if all of that business is completed earlier, then I can start earlier. MAN I HOPE SO! I really want to start working in February so I can get a jump on my new career and so I can start earning money again. It has been over 2.5 years since I have brought home a paycheck. ug. AND I HAVE A LOT OF LOANS TO PAY OFF!!! Working during PA school is nearly impossible and HIGHLY frowned upon. So I didn't. When I wasn't in class or clinic/hospital, I was studying my tail off. Anywho, if it does take forever to get all of my documents finalized, then I may have to get a temporary part-time job after my board exam. Any ideas where I should look/apply?????

The hubby & I made a desicion that we are now no longer letting the pets in any of the bedrooms. They have been banned from the guest bedroom & workout room for a long time, but now they are no longer allowed in our bedroom either. There was just too much fur & dust & chaos. The master bed & bath is supposed to be a sanctuary, not a zoo nor allergy city. Hubby is so wonderful. He did a THOROUGH cleaning & dusting of our bed & bath. It is clean & pet free. We have reclaimed our sanctuary! The door stays shut & the pets stay out! No more cats in the bed! No more dog/cat fur tumble weeds there. Sorry pets, but we had to do it. We still love you. But you sleep downstairs now.

Final random thought of the day: I hate PMS. I wish men knew just how bad it can be sometimes. The cramps, the headaches, the bloating, the moodiness. They just don't understand the torture us women go through on a montly basis. It sucks. (p.s. this was by no means a negative towards hubby....just want to make that clear.)

Anywho, I hope all of you are still enjoying your holidays. As for me, well, I am back to the books today. I mean it this time & it's possible my blogging may continue to be lacking. My apologies in advance to those of you that care. :)

Toodles!

These are a few of my favorite things

We had a very busy, but good Christmas. There was a lot of cooking and baking and family time and eating and gifts and eating some more. We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house with my sisters and their families. Christmas Day was spent at Hubby's mom's & step-dad's house with all the siblings and their families. Christmas festivities at my 'rents included helping Mom with cooking, playing with the cutie nephews, the boyz playing Bocci Ball & Bee-bee gun target shooting, listening to iPod Christmas tunes, watching Dad's train go 'round the beautiful Christmas tree, watching the wild deer run through the wooded areas & EATING lots of delicious turkey & stuffing & potatoes & rolls & pistachio salad & cookies & pie. How am I not 500 pounds now? Christmas festivies at Hubby's was a little different this year. The Boys decided they wanted to give their mom a break with the cooking, and so we did a potluck Christmas. Hubby & I made the mashed potatoes & pistachio salad and brought some rolls. There was sooooo much good food once again. Again, how am I not a million pounds? Gift exchange at his house this year was gifts for the kiddos and the adults participated in a White Elephant or also known as Dirty Santa gift exchange. My Dirty Santa gift is a Best Buy gift card (sa-weet!) and Hubby ended up with a surfing video game where you actually get on a plastic board that is plugged into your TV???? That could be funny to watch....if he uses it. ;)

We had a great Christmas, but man, I am pooped.

OK....party's over....back to some SERIOUS board's studying. I only have 9 days left until the monster exam! EEK!

Weekly Words' Challenge (WWC) brough to us by Tink over at Pickled Beef.

This weeks' words are PINK and TRADITION.

PINK

Some of the gifts from Hubby were PINK bath & body/good smellies...

TT got me this lovely Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon. Very cute!

TRADITION

Mom & Dad's beautiful tree & train.

Hubby & my lil' Charlie Brown tree.

The words for next week are Brown and Pattern.

If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Let your heart be light!

I hope you all have a great Christmas!

xxxooo

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

My response to a recent discussion over that CNN article I posted about below:

Christ is the reason for the season:
Isn't it ironic just how SENSITIVE our nation has become with not wanting to offend anyone that "we" end up offending many. When did things get so complicated? Sometimes it makes me not want to turn on the TV or read the internet.

Giving is ok:
I think giving to our family and friends this time of year is a great thing, especially if for the right reasons. It's the idea of giving, not the actual gift, that means the most. Giving to charitable organizations is also a good thing. Whether it is simply donating clothes or food or volunteering or giving a monitary contribution. We can all give a little in our own way.

It's not about material goods:
We do live in a world of such excess. We want more & more and have become so insatiable. There is never enough. For many living that kind of life, it just makes them more unhappy. I at times think I could do with less, but then again, compared to many people I know, I am doing pretty good. I try hard not to let material things be the key to my sustained happiness, because I know it simply isn't what makes me happy. I do admit, though, it is difficult at times to not fall into the material wants traps. Especially in this state. Everyone here wants bigger more luxurious cars, bigger, fancier homes, huge flat screen TVs & all the latest techy stuff, couture clothing, fine dining, etc. People that chase these things the most, seem to be the least happiest with their lives. Interesting. I really & truly don't want to end up like that.

Grinches & Scrooges:
One thing that does bug me about this time of year is how GROUCHY and MEAN people can be on the roads & in the stores/malls. I was merging in traffic the other day & this woman IN A MINIVAN of all things, was screaming obscenities to me. Apparently my merging in front of her was a huge inconveinence to her and her shopping. How do these people live with themselves? It's unfortunate that they act like that at all, let alone this HOLY time of year.

Anywhoodles....

I have a lot to be thankful for. I am grateful for my wonderful family and friends. I am fortunate to have a bright future. I am blessed with good health. What more could one ask for?

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season & Happy New Year.

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

xxxooo

Maui Snorkel Pics

We used an underwater disposable camera & unfortunately, not many came out. The ones that did are poor quality. Oh well.

I couldn't agree more!!!!

Great article!

CNN Commentary: You can't take Christ out of Christmas

Random Pics for the Day

Probably not a good combo....

YAY! More Marci Pics! Isn't she the cutest & growing so fast!
She is a whole 7 lbs now!

I can haz politician?

I will hug him & squeeze him & call him george.

How kans you not luvs me?

Hana Hou!

One of the special things about staying at the KBH in Maui is there is a FREE nightly Hawaiian music and hula show. The band that plays is the Lanui Band and is fronted by the great Rudy Aquino. His wife and daughter participate in the hula show. We enjoyed them so much & couldn't wait to see them again on this past trip. Unfortunately, because the first half of our trip was stormy, there was no nightly show. But finally, when it all cleared we go to see the show. It was great! He played some popular Hawaiian songs and even some Christmas songs, including "Mele Kalikimaka" and an humorous Hawaiian version of the 12 days of Christmas. And much to Hubby & my delight, especially since this trip was my grad gift/early anniversary gift, Rudy and gang played a lovely version of our wedding song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (we danced to an acoustic version on Kapalua beach at our wedding & to IZ's version at our H-town reception). I got part of it on video. I wish I had taped all of it, especially since Rudy told Hubby & I that this was his last year playing at the KBH. :( He bought property in the Cook Islands and will be moving there soon. I guess we'll have to stalk him & take a vacation there sometime to watch him play again. He made it sound like a great place to visit, as it is similar to Hawaii. Rudy will definitely be missed in Maui!



And I found their hula show on YT, but it isn't Rudy singing that night.

Weekly Words Challenge

This week's WWC words supplied by Tink over at Pickled Beef are WHITE and LIFE.

Hubby's white MINI Cooper S

White seafoam of Maui

My white coat ceremony when I started PA school

Pretty white flower

Hawaiian life
















Hawaiian Honu

My nephew the day he was born

The words for next week are: Tradition and Pink

Because of the holiday, the pictures for next week won't be due until Wednesday.

If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.

Thanks for the Memories!

These past 2.5 years have been full of a lot of studying and stress and hard times, Blood (not mine but...well...you know), Sweat & Tears, but we managed to fit some fun in there. I have made some great friends and created a lot of great memories. We went through A LOT together & I think we will forever remember that. I will forever be grateful for the friends I have made. They have definitely helped make PA school an enjoyable experience. I truly hope we stay in touch! Thanks guys! Much love & hugs to you!

Thanks for the memories!

<

"The Eyes of Texas are Upon You...."

That was sung, in UT tradition, at my graduation Friday night.

Here is a nice message my Mom wrote on our (private) family blog:

"Almost as soon as she got off the plane from Hawaii, Alli graduated last night from UTMB Galveston. She was awarded two honor's society awards and an award for best power point presentation for final research project. The commencement speaker, from Chicago, mentioned that this class was the most diverse, ethnically, of any she had seen, and that the "persona" of this class was just a huge HEART! They were encouraged to remember, first: social justice, and second: those who could- please! go into teaching, since they are expecting a huge shortage in this profession... Hopefully, she will post the pic of herself at the microphone from the banquet the night before. When I first saw it, I thought she had been invited to sing. ("and now a short song by our very own Alli....") Alli said that would not be likely. Happy/sad times as the class realized after all the hard times they went through together, most will never see each other again as they spread out around the country. Then we were off to the Hotel Galvez for dinner. ummmmmm good. [Hubby] is glad to have his wife back. (of course the next three weeks will be hard core studying for her boards.) Then a month or so waiting for certification, which means the job might not start until early March, she was told."

Thanks for the nice post, Mom!

It has been a busy week and half: graduation trip to Maui (read about it here), breakfast with the faculty Thursday morning (this is where I was awarded with best master's research platform & inducted into the Alpha Eta Honor Society and the Pi Alpha Honor Society), then our graduation banquet Thursday night at the Downtown Club in Houston, and finally graduation Friday late afternoon finished with that delicious dinner with Hubby, Mom, & Dad at the historic Hotel Galvez in Galveston.

It's been a busy 2.5 years with a lot of hard work, a lot of stress, and also a lot of great times and great memories. I have a learned a great deal, and yet this is just the beginning of my education as a physician assistant. I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me & I am excited about it. Also, as Mom said, the next few weeks will be full of crazy studying for my board exam and hopefully will be working by February or March at UTMDACC. So, I can't exhale just yet.

It's been a blast & I am greatly looking forward to what my future as a PA holds for me....

More graduation pics here.
Banquet pics here.

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say....

.......On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day,

That's the island greeting that we send to you

From the land where palm trees sway,

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright,

The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night,

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way To say "Merry Christmas to you."

It was interesting to be in Hawaii during Christmas time. It's kinda funny to see Christmas decorations in a place that is so tropical. We heard Mele Kalikimaka quite a bit & loved it every time (often singing along). Although, I must admit, it still reminds me of that goofy scene in Christmas Vacation.

Anywho, as I said before, we had a great time, but things didn't go quite as planned. The first half of our vacation was in the midst of one of Maui's worst storms in many years. Thankfully we weren't on the side of the island (the east side which is the rainy side) that experienced mud slides and major power outages. We didn't lose power & filled our time shopping, eating, shopping some more, eating some more, etc. :) On the last rainy day, we spent time in the Maui Aquarium. THEN....FINALLY....The sun came. awwww. The beautiful Maui sun and beaches. There is nothing like it. We stayed in Ka'anapali at Maui's "most Hawaiian hotel" which is on a beautiful stretch of beach. In fact, Ka'anapali beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I recommend that if any of you ever head to Maui, stay in Ka'anapali to experience the beautiful beach. There are many hotels and condos to chose from. We are partial to KBH, although not 4 or 5 stars or fancy schmancy by any means, b/c it is so Hawaiian, staff is great, free nightly hula/music show, and has one of the best stretches of beach! They also have great vacation packages, have a beautiful goodbye ceremony for EACH guest, and have great packages for return guests. Because we were return guests and were celebrating, we got a free room upgrade, great deal on the room, breakfast every morning, & rental car. We arrived to champagne in our room & half way through our stay they gave us a little gift basket with plumeria bath & body products. Turn down service every night with yummy macadamia cookies. The ocean (from partial to full) & courtyard views are beautiful!

OK, back to what we did. So, like I said, the sun finally came out & we got our beach on! Lots of laying on the beach. A snorkeling trip to the Molokini crater & Turtle town were we saw a lot of pretty fishies & sea turtles & we saw some whales in the distance. That was probably one of my favorite part of the trip. We also went on an evening cocktail whale watch cruise, however, it is the very beginning of whale season in Hawaii, so we only saw a few in the distance. We saw SO MANY back in the 2005 wedding trip (one even breached RIGHT NEXT TO OUR BOAT, remember that, ETK??? AWESOME!!!) Also, lots of great foods & fruity drinks & DEE-LICIOUS pineapple. MMM! I swear, the pineapple in Hawaii is amazing! Oh, and more shopping (we shopped WAY to much. I think hubby & I have a T-shirt addiction.) And hubby surprised me with another graduation gift that I have been wanting & is great for traveling & casual days.

Unfortunately, on our last full evening in Maui, I became HORRIBLY ill. I am assuming I had food poisoning & won't go into the details, but I really thought I was dying. It was awful. I have never been in so much pain, seriously. I almost had hubby take me to the hospital. It. was. that. bad. Anyway, I got some OTC meds & gatorade in me and improved by the next morining. THANKFULLY. We spent our last morning resting in the sun & then took an over night flight home. Again, thankfully I was feeling better. I ate very little that day as to have no issues on the plane. It wasn't the best way to end a trip. Oh well. For the most part, despite the rain, not getting to do several things we wanted to do, & my short-almost-dying illness, we really did have a good time. We were sad to leave, but I must admit, it is good to be home again. We'll just have to go back again sometime....perhaps not in December, though. ;)

Now I just have to graduate tonight & get back into SERIOUS study mode for my PA board exam. Back to life. Back to reality.

But I can still dream of Maui.

More pics here.

I'm Back......

But too tired to blog.

We had a great time in Maui. It didn't go completely as planned, but had a good time none the less. Details & pics to come. I promise.

I have a lot going on this week, so blogging may be at a minimum. I have a little thing called graduating from PA school this week. No big deal, eh?

So....more later.

Stay tuned.

Weekly Words Challenge

This week's WWC words supplied by Tink over at Pickled Beef are ORANGE and LANDSCAPE.

This is what one looks like after working several 12 hour night shifts in the ER. See the ORANGE ear plugs? Not what you'd call a sleeping beauty. I have no idea how the bed got all mangled.

Hubby working hard in the field.

My parents' lovely landscaping at the Colfax Cottage.


The old New York Bliss farm house




Our humble little townhome yard. It's small, but it's ours.

This last one is a cheat as it is not mine, but it is a beautiful orange Maui sunset which I will be seeing VERY soon.....

Baby's Gotta Brand New Toy

Video added!

Thanks ETK! He loves it. I think it's his favorite Bday gift. ;)