Foot Notes

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS by Portia Nelson

2010-11-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

I.
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost...I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.

II.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place
but, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in...it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V.
I walk down another street.

video for last post...

2010-10-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

Now Listening

2010-10-31T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am dancing to this for a contemporary dance class I am taking...love it! So beautiful. It's especially touching for our group because a girl in our class lost her stepmother a few years ago in a car accident, and this dance is the story of her journey with grief.

Having a "Blah" day

2010-10-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have only a week left in school and you would THINK that I would be eager to get all of my work done. There's not too much left to do and you would THINK I would just bite the bullet and finish it up. You would THINK so, but no. I just can't get myself to focus on my last few educational tasks that will ever be on my to do list again.

There are things that I would simply rather be doing.

As my Annie would say...BUT!!! I might as well just get all of it done so I can really focus on the other things without a care or worry =)

It's that time again...

2010-10-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

I have a week and a half left of school. It's rather exciting. I have time. To. Breathe.

Aaaahhhhh.

It's beautiful.

BUT...if you know me well enough, you know that I cannot function unless I am busy. So this whole school coming to an end thing, while I am extrememly relieved and excited to be done with this chapter and start the next, is kind of freaking me out. Thus, I have started reading a new book and I will start blogging again. Not that I ever did it all that regularly.

Right now I am house sitting for a friend while she is with her family at Disneyland. She has three dogs, and they are super cute all cuddled up next to me on the couch right now but OH MY GOODNESS it was a chore getting them to calm down when I walked in the door this evening! We've got on our hands: a little yippee dog, a medium yippee dog, and a small lab who is not yippee, but very skittish (Don't mind these words I'm making up...I do what I want). Hopefully they don't go crazy every time I walk in the door.

heard this today...

2010-02-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

"Don't tell your God how big your fears are, tell your fears how big your GOD is!"

Love it.

Ok, this looks really awesome...

2009-12-11T21:28:00.000-08:00

That was a trailer for an online series coming out next year. The dancers in the series are part of an actual dance group called the "Legion of Extraordinary Dancers" or "LXD."

Here is another video of them dancing on an episode of So You Think You Can Dance a couple weeks ago...also take note of the music choice. Very cool if you have heard the original version by Coldplay!

Live.

2009-11-11T20:20:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine died this morning. She was hit by a car, walking across the street. She was 21. She died.

Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. 2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

More importantly, she was 21, and she lived.

Prayers to the Hollenbach family, Brittany's memory will be eternal.

ER

2009-11-02T22:21:00.001-08:00

I had rounds in the ER today at my clinical hospital, and I LOVED IT!!! I did so many cool things, practiced a ton of new skills and got lots of compliments from the nurses that I was doing a great job! I started a bunch of IVs and a few catheters and it was just a huge confidence booster. I would seriously consider working in the ER after this experience, and I feel like everything else I have done so far is boring in comparison. HA! Im stoked!

Oh and...

2009-10-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

I was Alice (from Wonderland) last night at a Halloween par-tay. It was quite the hit.

Pictures as I receive them...

Times

2009-10-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

my love is over, its underneath, its inside, its in between
the times you doubt me, when you can't feel
the times that you've questioned 'is this for real?'
the times you've broken, the times that you mend
the times you hate me and the times that you bend
well my love is over, its underneath, its inside, its in between,
these times you're healing and when your heart breaks
the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
the times you're hurting, the times that you heal
the times you go hungry and are tempted to steal
in times of confusion and chaos and pain
im there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame
im there through your heartache, im there in the storm
my love i will keep you by my power alone
i dont care where you've fallen, where you have been
i'll never forsake you, my love never ends

gorgeous

2009-09-18T00:51:00.001-07:00

heavy

2009-09-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

Can't sleep. Borderline nauseous. Just one of those days I guess. A lot of times, I think I have this uncanny ability (if you could call it that) to feel. When people in my life are stressing or having a momentary lapse of faith, I feel it in the pit of my stomach. I guess my best description for the feeling is "heavy". The heaviness has been around for a few days. I wonder what's up.

Thought of the Day

2009-09-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

David Crowder Band "How He Loves"

thought these were beautiful words!

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

months

2009-07-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

that is how long it's been since i have blogged. not ok. i'm planning on getting back into this soonish. can't wait for vacay in san diego to see holly, mattie, and my little annie pie...taking my laptop to document my travels =)

2009-02-21T18:46:00.001-08:00

I have been pretty sick the past few days, and just feeling icky and blah. I feel like I just need to detox or something. So, I ran today. I've recently discovered that, contrary to previous thought, I actually enjoy running. The rythm of my feet pounding along with the beat of whatever song I'm listening to at the moment is rather therapeutic when I need it to be. I find myself getting in the mood every once in a while (like today) and just gearing up, stretching out, pushing play on the iPod, and taking off. Then about 5 or 6 minutes later I remember that my feet are incredibly flat, which causes my pseudo-arch to cramp and my achilles tendon to catch on actual fire. So, I ran for about twelve minutes then walked for about 10. It's a start. I had a long competition today with my danceteam, so now I'm going to hot tub, get in sweats, and do some reading.

=)

Wow.

2009-02-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just ate an entire box of cocoa puffs in 2 days. Know what that is called? College. Know what else that's called? Disgusting. I'm going to the gym.

Real Friends...

2009-02-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

bring you Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked when you are in the middle of studying for multiple exams and had a loooooonnnng day with old people =)

Thanks Jamie!

With regards to the old people...first day of clinical today!! I'm assigned to Richland Rehabilitation Center, which is best decribed as a step between the hospital and assisted living. Today I was on PT/OT duty (physical therapy/occupational therapy). IT WAS AWESOME!!! Before today, I was absolutely positive that I wouldn't want to work in a nursing home or in any sort of geriatric field for some reason. After my shift, I definitely was willing to reconsider that thought! PT/OT was especially great, because I was able to see the different levels of care that were given in just one facility. It ranged from patients who could barely even stand or push themselves in a wheelchair, to ex-PT regulars coming in to visit and bringing Valentine's treats for their friends, It was amazing, so much happened, and I was so thankful for being able to experience it!

Good day =)

Another dance

2009-02-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

This was a piece featured back during the summer on my dance show i love so much. This version is the original full-length choreography, put together by Wade Robson...who i could do a whole seperate post on because he is such an amazing artist. Anyway, I love this song, it's one of my many "criers" (the ones i play when i need a good cry). Naturally a gorgeous dance to a crier would make me cry even more.

over a month later...

2009-02-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

Currently im sitting in my nursing research and informatics class. we have guest speakers to talk about finding online reasearch articles. i already know how to do it and have no questions, so im not really paying too much attention...woops! i am finally feeling a little more on top of things and organized (5 weeks into school), so i thought i would get back to blogging. i had an exam last week...don't wanna talk about it, and two this week. hopefully the two this week will be better than the one last week.

I am SO glad that i decided not to work during this semester for a while, because i cannot imagine all of my commitments...school, coaching, church activities, friends, and family being able to fit in if i worked. the other my Gma called me and noticed how tired i sounded. She said "Isn't there something you are doing that you could drop? Isn't there anything that you could cut out to make your life a little easier?" I had never thought of this before. But when I did think about it, the answer is a clear NO. Dance takes up a lot of my time, but it's something I enjoy and it keeps me grounded. Doing fun things with friends is not something I am willing to give up, because I am 20 years old. Yah, maybe I could be studying instead, but when I get out of nursing school and am actually working, I am not going to remember that I got a C on my first pathophysiology & pharmacology exam. I'm going to remember that later that week I went to a really fun event with a few of my really good friends, and ate really good food, andfanced all night long.

Anyways, the point is, I'm busy. I'm sleep deprived. I procrastinate. I blog in class. It's who I am, who I have always been, and it's been OK thus far. Maybe it's not always easy, but it's ALWAYS fun =)

2009-01-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

Moving into a new apartment has brought me shoddy internet service, but have finally gotten a hold of the neighbors wireless :)

Quite a bit has happened since my last post! The apartment is great...super comfy cozy, and the roommate is even greater! My last day of work is this Wednesday *sigh of relief* and my first day of class in the nursing program is this coming Monday! Updates to follow!

Heeerrreee we go!

Quote of the Day

2008-12-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

Don't go through life thinking you hit the triple when you were born on third.

Hmmm.

School's Out for the Summer!!

2008-12-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, not really, but no more Human Anatomy & Physiology for me!! I decided that since I got into the nursing program already with a C+ in the class from a couple semesters ago (my worst grade EVER, mind you...) that there was no point in finishing out this quarter of madness.
I dropped the course this morning and now, for the next two weeks I have freed up time that would have been spent writing a paper on the urinary system (exciting), taking a quiz, a comprehensive final (the WORST kind), another quiz, a lab final, and driving to Seattle and back for lab. Whew! Think of all the things I can do now!
I can now focus my time on finishing up my Life-Span Developmental Psychology class that will actually mean something when I'm done with it. Only two more weeks of that and not nearly as much work =)

This just made my day...

2008-11-20T12:49:00.001-08:00

Tim Burton is in the process of filing his rendition of Alice in Wonderland! It's set to come out sometime in 2010. This is going to be so awesome, it was just a matter of time before he chose this story to depict! The cast is going to be the usual Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter team, but also with Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries, Devil Wears Prada) and Michael Sheen as the Chesire Cat. Alice is being played by newbie Mia Wasikowska...I bet she will be famous in a heartbeat after this! OH gosh I love Tim Burton's masterpieces, and Alice in Wonderland, and am really looking forward to this!!

Still too early for Christmas music???

2008-11-20T11:43:00.001-08:00

So-o Excit-ed for THE HOLIDAYS! Tuesday night begins my week of baking fiascos...I am going to try and make pumpkin chocolate cheesecake pie, a delicious looking recipe I saw in a doctor's office lobby magazine. It's just splendid! The weather is getting chilly and it's all foggy and misty out, which means it's extra cozy inside!

Also, after talking with one of my friends, I have decided to video document some holiday good times and make a DVD! It's gonna be greeaattt!!

A job well done.

2008-11-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

Because my classes beginning in January will be primarily during the day when I work, I'm not going to be able to keep the job that I currently have. I was telling one of the women that I have worked closely with over the past months that I would be leaving in about 8 weeks, and that if there is anything else she needed help with until then I would be happy to help. She said, "I know your plate is really full with other projects right now, so I guess there are other interns that I could get to help me. But none of them are as good as you, and I always have to hold their hand through everything, it's annoying!" She decided everything would be OK, as long as she could send them to me with questions. This made me laugh, because I feel like this has been the cushiest job ever. If I hadn't been doing a good job, that would have been a little sad seeing as I get paid 15 bucks an hour to sit in front of a computer and make spreadsheets. I mean, I know how exciting and challenging that sounds.... No really, who could actually be bad at that??

Either way, I'm kind of excited about the recognition =)

Sunday

2008-11-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday means something different to everyone. The end of the week for some, the beginning for others, a time to spend relaxing with family, or a time to get some stuff done around the house that our busy lives just don't allow for during the rest of the week. Some people watch football on Sundays, and others curl up with a good book. For the greater part of my life, Sunday has been just another day in the week. Yesterday, for the first time in...I don't even know how long, I devoted my Sunday to worship. As I stood in the pews of a church that I had never attended, with people that I mostly didn't know, and prayed with the group in thanks, in hope, and in honest commitment, I felt something that I hadn't felt in a really long time. It was awesome, to say the least. Later on this Sunday, I attended a small group of about 7 or 8 young adults that I had only met hours previously. We ate dinner, hung out in our sweats, and had a really enlightening, but brief, discussion about God and what he has done for us.

What a great day. 7 or 8 great new friends, and look at faith that was always there, but needed a little reawakening.

What does Sunday mean to you?

woohooo!

2008-11-17T09:18:00.001-08:00

I finally got my letter in the mail, and I'm going to be a nurse!!!! Yessssss! I start January 12th here in Tri-Cities and am so excited, relieved, proud, and determined to do well in this program. I feel like I am now on my way to doing the great things that I am supposed to be doing =)

waiting, waiting, waiting

2008-11-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER! But...I'm just going to have to. This week ( I hope) will be the week that I find out if I have been accepted into the nursing program at WSU. Crossing my fingers! And toes! Really! This past year-ish has been such a long journey for me and I just want to start the next leg. Can't wait...pray for me please!

It's November!

2008-11-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how fast time has flown by these past few months and it is already almost the end of the year! I only have 6 more weeks of school left this quarter, ahh!! I am really excited because I think sometime this week my friend and I will be holding our annual viewing of The Nightmare Before Christmas (What's This?!) It's pretty exciting, really.

Also, I am really glad that daylight savings time has hit, because it was getting really difficult to get up and get ready for the day...when it was looking like night outside.

From now on, our troubles will be Miles Awaaaayyyyy...

2008-10-28T14:43:00.001-07:00

Today has been a productive day at work, but I think I might leave a tad bit early to catch up on homework overload. I am lucky to have a boss that understands that school is more important to me than completing his trivial tasks. Not that I don't thoroughly enjoy filling in excel spreadsheets, don't get me wrong. It's just that my Developmental Psychology and Human Anatomy & Physiology books are really getting jealous of the spreadsheets. Plus, I have a quiz and an exam both due tonight that I'm not exactly what you would call "prepared" for.

This morning I bought some Apricot Ginger Black Tea and some oatmeal to keep in my office so I can start off each day with a little "aaah." And I have also been listening to a lot of relaxing music, like Sinatra's rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and various Jimi Hendrix tunes. It's nice.

Such is my life.

Lyrics I Love 10/28/08

2008-10-28T14:32:00.001-07:00

I thought this was clever....

Don't break me, I bruise easily, the source of both your love and misery.
I am steady beating endlessly while you are dozing, dreaming pretty things, lovely things.
I don't work for free, please take care of me.

Don't hurt me, I bleed constantly, my efforts leave me but flow back swiftly.
My rythm soothing like raindrops, steady on foggy windows when you gaze outwardly, peacefully.
I don't work for free, please take care of me.

Every time you sleep; bom bom bom bom
Every time you eat; bom bom bom bom
Every time you laugh; bom bom bom bom
Every time you cry; bom bom bom bom
Every time you lie; bom bom bom bom

This is a message from your heart, your most devoted body part, taking blood and making art.
This is a message from your heart, pounding away into the dark. You could thank me for a start, This is a message from your heart.

Kina Grannis, Message from your Heart

Interview recap

2008-10-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the nursing school interview, and I think it went pretty well. They asked me questions like "What brought you to nursing?" and "What problem would you solve if you had a million dollars and could solve a problem with it?" For that I said I would find more ways to prevent neural tube defects, and talked a little bit about Annabelle, of course. One of my interviewers turned out to be a pediatrics nurse, so she loved that and it seemed like she wanted to talk more about that with me actually. But no time for that...the entire interview lasted 12 minutes. So my dad and I drove 2.5 hours, ate lunch, interviewed, got gas (for 2.66 a gallon!!!) and drove 2.5 hours back home. Now I wait :)

Oldie but Goodie

2008-10-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

I took my love, I took it down.
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
and I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills,
till the landslide brought me down.
Oh, mirror in the sky, What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changing
cause I've built my life around you.
But time makes you bolder,
Children get older and I'm getting older too.
So, take this love, take it down
If you climb a mountain and you turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down.
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring it down.

gotta love stevie.

My thoughts on this day 10/16/2008

2008-10-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today was Boss's Day and we went out to Casa Mia, and italian place near work. It was delicious, but i ate too much and am stuffed! Tuesday, our group is moving to a different building so i have been working all wekk to pack up everything and get it ready for the movers. It's quite the ordeal really. Basically, I just really, really, really hate boxes right now. For real.

One thing that stinks about being super busy with work and school, is that I haven't been to dance for almost 2 weeks. I am just tired and have other things that I feel are more important. Of course, I have been going to practice for the dance team girls, but other than that, nothing. Ballet has been really difficult for me to get back into, I don't really enjoy it as much as I used to. I mean, I know how good it is for me...it is an amazing workout and the best thing I can do for my technique which is why I decided to do it in the first place. But the thing is, I don't really need my technique to be all that much better since at this point I am just dancing for pleasure...no performances to mess up in, nobody to impress, just me. I really enjoy the jazz class I'm in, and would love to take a modern or lyrical class but the studio I'm at doesn't offer one that fits with my schedule. For now, I have just decided to go in when I feel like it and not put too much pressure on myself to attend class. I would rather not be a walking zombie every day like I have been lately. In the meantime, I have joined a gym! I know, I know, you are saying "If you don't have time for dance then when do you have time to go to the gym?!" It's a 24-hour gym! Open 24/7/365...a full-time elliptical paradise, all for me! I'm pretty excited for this. I'll post on how that is going at a later date :)

October 25th

2008-10-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

That is the date of my interview to get into the nursing program! Yay! It's 3pm on a saturday in Spokane. Now I'm REALLY nervous! But excited!! :)

Nursing school update!

2008-10-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

So i just called to see when we would be finding out if we get interviews for acceptance into the program and was told that they are getting letters ready to send out today! I should know by the end of the week if I have an interview, and the lady said they would be held on either the 25th or 28th of this month or the 1st of november! ahh i am so nervous!!

Pulling for a better week...

2008-10-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend with a horrible headache that pretty much put me out of commission for the majority of my time. Luckily, I got in about 15 hours of sleep yesterday,and I think that may have helped. Today I've got my first Anatomy & Physiology exam of the quarter, I hope it goes well! My goal this week is just to stay on track with homework, and also do some things around the house. I am thinking about going to the football game in Pullman this coming weekend too, I kind of need a getaway. Although I don't know if that would really qualify as a "getaway," but I'll take what I can get.

This week will be better than last.

Lyrics I Love

2008-10-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

Corner Of Your Heart
Ingrid Michaelson

There's a corner of your heart for me.
There's a corner of your heart just for me.
I will pack my bags just to stay in the corner of your heart.
Just to stay in the corner of your heart.

There is room beneath your bed for me.
There is room beneath your bed just for me.
I will leave this town just to sleep underneath your bed.
Just to sleep underneath your bed.

There's one minute of your day.
There's one minute of your day.
I will leave this man just to occupy one minute of your day.
Just to occupy one minute of your day.

Just to sleep underneath your bed.

Just to stay in the corner of you heart.

A "drabulous" or "dulltacular", if you will, day

2008-09-30T12:39:00.001-07:00

This morning at dance practice I locked my keys in my car (good one), and had to get a ride to work from one of the other girls that is assisting. Now I have to leave work a little early (ohhh the horror!!) so I can get a ride with Kait to get my spare key.
I have just been feeling so lazy and tired lately...last night, my ballet teacher wasn't there because she had a family emergency and another girl taught our class. I wasn't really getting anything out of it without my regular teacher there, so I decided to go home and work on homework to be more productive. When I got home, I ate dinner, read a miniscule amount in my psych book, and then watched Heroes. Basically, nothing got accomplished. Now i have two quizzes due tonight that I haven't finished the reading for and I can't work on my reading at work because of course, my book is in my car. Which is locked, and at the high school.
Plus, tonight is my last night to hang out with my friend before she moves to Bellevue :(

Good thing reminders: I am having a productive day at work, somehow. Only two more days in the work week. Seattle on Friday (for school, but still...Seattle is bomb no matter the reason). My nails are growing rather nicely and I keep admiring them.

Practical Jokes

2008-09-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

OK, my entertainment is back from lunch. Since two of our guys are retiring, Sandy has decided to give one of them a little funny business. She took his mouse and hid it is Lois's plant. Then she stole his phone receiver and put it behind her coffee maker. This video came to mind:

Uneventful Day

2008-09-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Puzzle #2 still incomplete, I won't let them cheat this time! Also, I just ran across a job opening at Kadlec (hospital) for a patient registration and reception position. I wish that was available when I was looking for jobs in May, I am getting really bored of my job (probably today because my entertainment isn't here)...maybe once I get into nursing school and my contract is over here it will be easier to get on as hospital staff.

As a side note, I keep looking at a picture on my bulletin board of my beautiful new cousin Annie-Lu-Belle. It's getting me through the day :)

one more office bit...

2008-09-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Also, a lady came and asked me for my help jus tnow that I don't normally work with. I was excited to be put on a new task, since what I'm working on now is extremely monotonous. She leans onto my desk with a paper full of numbers and says, "Can you read this number for me? I think you are the only one here that can read it!" Glad they appreciate me for my youthful eyes!

Happy Birthday!...wait...

2008-09-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

There was a Thank You card going around for our manager today, and Sandy apparently wasn't paying attention and wrote "Happy Birthday and Best Wishes!" I just all of the sudden hear from behind me , "Crap!!! This is NOT a birthday card is it?" She whited out "Birthday" and just wrote Days, so it read "Happy Days and Best Wishes!"

Classy.

This is the song that never ennnnds....

2008-09-24T16:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Lois brought this crazy puzzle in to work (perhaps to boost morale?) that was SO HARD! they consist of 9 square pieces. sounds simple enough, but trust me, it's not. so yesterday everyone was in a meeting except for Me, Sandy, and the other intern Justin. The other two gave up and decided to see if they could find the solution online and succeeded. After lecturing them for a couple of minutes about cheating, I finally gave in and they made me swear not to tell anyone that we cheated because pretty much everyone in the office had spent at least 15 or 20 completely unsuccessful minutes on that stinking puzzle that day. Talk about a waste of time! So Lois was impressed that we had figured it out, while another guy said we had "sick minds" if we were able to put that thing together.

Today, Lois brought in another one. Yes it goes on and on my friennnnd.

Bagel

2008-09-18T08:39:00.002-07:00

From Wikipedia:

A bagel is a bread product, traditionally made of yeasted wheat dough in the form of a roughly hand-sized ring which is first boiled in water and then baked. The result is a dense, chewy, doughy interior with a browned and sometimes crisp exterior. Bagels are often topped with seeds baked onto the outer crust, with the most traditional being poppy or sesame seeds. Some even have salt sprinkled on the surface of the bagel.
Bagels have become a popular bread product in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom especially in cities with large Jewish populations[1], such as Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, Toronto, London and Manchester, each with different ways of making the bagel. In Yiddish, it is spelled beigel.
Bagels were derived from the similarly shaped doughnuts and from the similarly textured bialys, primarily because of the cooking method amongst other differences. Russian bubliks are very similar to bagels, but are somewhat bigger, have a wider hole, and are drier and chewier. Pretzels, especially the large soft ones, are also very much like bagels, the main exceptions being the shape and the alkaline water bath that makes the surface dark and glossy.

Office 09/18

2008-09-18T08:39:00.001-07:00

First of all, let me just say that i feel extremely old because most of the things I talk about happen at the office...and I'm a college student...

With that said, our management has been providing us with a lot of goodies the past couple of weeks. Our contract is ending so extra money needs to be spent, along with the fact that a lot of people are probably going to get laid off soon so they are doing it as a "morale booster." I'm not sure that free pizza and subway sandwiches would brighten my outlook if I was going to be laid off, but what the heck, why not give it a try?

Today, our morale booster was bagels and scones for breakfast. The secretary for our group, Karen, and I went over to the next building to get a box for our employees. We were asking everyone whether they wanted a bagel or a scone when one guy responds with "What's a scone?" OK, that isn't that bad...scones aren't super well known (I guess?). Then he asks "What's a bagel?" REALLY NOW? Come on...Karen looks at me with a blank stare, shrugging and says, "Crystal, what's a bagel? How do I explain that?" Well, um, it's...uh...round...and...uh...bread-y?

So we go over and get bagels and some scones and bring them back. Everybody's happy. Like it actually did boost their morale. Way to go management, youv'e made them keep at it for another day!

So, I'm walking back to my desk and some guy walks out of his office and says "Somebody's got some pan-fried rabbit?!"

Good Lord.

Safety Topic

2008-09-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Our safety topic in staff meeting today was "Blackberry Thumb". Really?

REMEMBER

2008-09-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

80 minutes till cougar footbal!!

2008-09-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

That's how early we were to the game on saturday. We lost horribly, probably worst in history, and I say this on a whim with no research whatsoever. 66-3. BUT, despite our awful playing, watching the boyfriend nearly punch someone in the face, and getting a little crispy from the sun, I still managed to have fun at the game and enjoyed sitting right behind the players. Good thing my dad and I ended up getting free tickets though, that were actually really great seats!!

Office

2008-09-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

I have nearly fallen asleep at my desk about three times now today, this is no good! Thought I needed a break...mainly I just need to get more sleep...

Coming up is a busy weekend, so I won't actually be able to catch up on Z's until Sunday. Friday my dancers have their first home football game performance and they also have a pep assembly, which is always exciting for them. Then I am going up with Dad to the WSU California game on Saturday, GO COUGS!!

Things in the office is quiet today, besides Sandy (as always). This morning she called a refrigerator repairman(to fix her *brand new* refrigerator that is leaking). They said they wouldn't be able to get oanyone out until Friday and she proceeded to tell them what for and ask them "you expect me to keep mopping up the floor until then?!" So, needless to say she will be calling the manager, customer complaint department and the....'attorney general'?? She got off the phone and I said, "Sandy, really? Come on..." Nope...it's very important that she calls the 'attorney general' because they will get stuff done. Like get the refrigerator repairman to her house faster.

She's probably forgotten about all of that by now, because her daughter just went into labor with her first grandchild. Good thing...she needed to get out of the office...

As for me, I will be putting in another 4 hours here at the Scranton Branch.

dance

2008-08-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

this morning was richland d-team's first morning practice and i was so excited to finally be able to go and help them out!! i have been feeling guilty all summer for not being able to go to their practices, but now that they have school their schedule mathces up more with mine. their dances are super cute and I can't wait until they perform next week!! im also most likely going to start taking technique classes the first week of september on thursday nights. this is a great thing about coming home...i get to dance!! practices are at 5:15 tuesdays and thursday and I surprisingly had no trouble getting up on time this morning! hopefully that will continue. the starbucks lady even opened a little early for me :)

slacker

2008-08-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

I thought this was funny. My coworker was going to PF Changs yesterday for a free company lunch. She was really uneasy and didn't think she was going to like it. Also, she is very picky about her iced tea...so before PF Changs, she drove to Arby's, yes *Arby's*, to get an iced tea. So great.

I am excited to start riding my bike, it's all fixed up. And now, I can roll around the neighborhood in style with my new shoes.

Balboa Rose

2008-08-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the bloom described in the below post

Discovery

2008-08-14T10:41:00.001-07:00

The boyfriend had flowers sent to me for my birthday last week, and some of them are still going strong over a week later! There was a flower in the bouquet that I never seen before and after asking Lois and doing some research, I know now that it is called Lisianthus, or the Balboa Rose. It's so pretty and I just love having it sitting on my desk to look at each day!

Picnic

2008-08-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Just got back from our "Steven's Center Management Appreciation" Picnic. That successfully killed about an hour of my day. Sandy just went back down to get another plate of baked beans....it was nice to get out of this feezing cold office and into the sun!! Miss TriCities and Miss TriCities Outstanding Teen were there for entertainment, along with Southridge High Dance team (performance was "meh") and it made me think of when I used to do those kinds of appearances. It was funny to be on the other side of it and hear what the audience probably thought of us back then haha! Also, I thought it was pretty cool, Miss TC Outstanding Teen sang "A New Day Has Come"...the same song that is on the video post from yesterday.

Annabelle

2008-08-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

What an eventful few days! My new baby cousin Annabelle was born Thursday afternoon, what a blessing. She is a miracle if I ever saw one, I have never had so much love for someone I have not even met! I leave Friday morning to go down to San Diego and visit sweet Annie Lu, I can't wait to meet her!

This is a dance that was choreagraphed by Jean-Marc Genereaux in tribute to his daughter that is handicapped...so amazingly beautiful, I wanted to share

Miss Annabelle, Matt, and Holly, you are so incredibly loved!

Birthday!

2008-08-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today I turn 20! I don't feel older, but this a pretty good birthday so far! My co-workers Sandy and Lois are taking me out to lunch at Isla Bonita Mexican, I have never been but they insist that I try it. I'll report back on the outing later...it should be good :)

Which came first...

2008-08-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

the chicken or the egg?

NEWS FLASH: According to my morning radio DJ, this weekend in Havana, Cuba the worlds largest chicken egg was born to a hen name TiTi, weighing in at 0.37 lbs. That's right, you heard it here first. COMING SOON: Worlds largest omelet.

In other news: had a garage sale this weekend which was very successful. We made $350 and donated the extras to Goodwill. What a great day!

2008-08-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

Just turned in my ICN (nursing school) application! I have crossed so many things off of my list this week...it's like I'm organized or something! Now, I just have to work my butt of in school to get better grades than before: piece of cake...well, we will see.

wooosh

2008-07-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

That is the sound of relief sweeping over me. Dilemma no more. Renton it is. All registered and paid and ready to go starting September 17 :) I looked into going back to Pullman today because I thought I might be able to get into the class i need once the semester begins, but I couldn't find anywhere to live with less than a 10 month lease. Unless I lived in the dorms...no thanks! (Sorry Emily :P) Home is just fine for me right now I have decided.

Random thought: Right now, looking out the window of my office I can see the smoke of a brush fire probably about 30 miles away. If I just stare at the cloud, I can't tell at all that it is even moving or growing with the wind. But if I look away for 10 seconds or so and look back, it is completely different and way bigger. This is interesting to me.

Frustration!!!

2008-07-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Ehhh I am so frustrated!

Here is the scoop:

The school I am trying to go to for fall semester (Renton) won't accept my financial aid grants or loans, and they say I am not eligible for any other grants through them, even though I was eligible for a grant from the federal government.....? So now, all of the money that I am being offered to use for school for the semester is just going to go away. "Here you go, here's $8000...Oh wait, nevermind. You can't actually have that."

The school I am going to now (Columbia Basin), I decided against before because the people there working in administration actually made me feel stupider every time words came out of their mouth. I decided on Renton because my WSU advisor recommended their physiology program. Now, one of the classes I need there is full.

WSU tri cities doesnt offer all of my classes, nor does the WSU online program. WSU in Pullman does (obviously, because I took them there before)...except it's not here. And i think one of my classes there is full too.

So...dilemma. I wish I would have just gotten into nursing school, that would have been better.

Getting Fit, Staying Organized

2008-07-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided that I need to get healthier, so I'm starting that and I have a few of my family members along for the ride too :)

Also, I accomplished a few things on my list!! and crossed them off!! I didnt get to everything, but people rarely do (or is that just me?). The point is, I am using my lists in a contructive way and actually getting things done and staying organized. Yah!

Off to work but, you know, work doesnt always consist of working. Right Holly? :)

Quote of the Day

2008-07-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

"Love will conquer all...if you let it"

LET IT.

2008-07-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Busy Weekend! Didn't have a chance to post until now! This weekend I got a chance to go down to the annual sidewalk art show and got a really great piece of jewelry. I also got a chance to see my cousin Adam compete in a swim meet on Saturday, which was awesome! The hydroplane races were all weekend, but we attended on Sunday for the finals and it was a nice relaxing day in the sun. For the week ahead, I have already crossed off TWO of my list items (new list as of this morning), and it DOES feel good.

As for SYTYCD last week, I didn't put up a video because I was too dissappointed in the rest of the viewers who voted off the wrong person 2 weeks in a row. Unforgiveable. We will see this week if people get their heads on straight.

"Friday"

2008-07-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Last night, I was studying for my stats test and completely forgot about SYTYCD until it was 3/4 of the way over!! It was dissapointing, but I really needed to get some studying done. I got to see two dances at the end, which were OK, nothing too special. I will watch it tonight and post my favorite tomorrow.

One of the things I love about my job is the schedule we work on. It's a 9-80 schedule, meaning I work only 9 days out of the 10 every two weeks but still get in 80 hours. I work a 9 hour day Monday-Thursday and 8 hours on Friday during one week, and then the next week 9 hours Monday-Thursday and Friday off. SO, today is my "Friday"...which I am happy about. I've almost made it through the week, but we'll see after tomorrow...

List Queen

2008-07-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

I have named myself "Queen of list-making". It's what I do when I am bored, stressed, or feel like I am not at max productivity for the moment. Here is my list for right now:

Read for Sociology exam, Ch. 1-4, 7, 9, 10 in Globalization, which is Sunday
Study for Stats quiz, which is Thursday
update resume, look for jobs
Finish up nursing school application
Straighten up financial aid situation through Renton Tech
CLEAN ROOM
DO LAUNDRY
rearrange room, another form of stress relief.

The thing about my lists is that I write them down multiple times throughout the day, changing and tweaking as I go yet, almost never actually reference them. Tell me how that is supposed to help anything.

Refreshed..sort of

2008-07-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I went away for the weekend to visit the boyfriend. It was nice to get away and relax for a couple of days, and I actually ended up doing a couple fun things. I learned how to fire a shotgun...I've never done that before! I also made some bomb french onion soup (his favorite). A friend hitched a ride with me, so it was nice to have some company driving. I came home yesterday evening to a very clean house thanks to Dad and some scrumtious BBQing for my Uncle Steve's birthday. Overall: good weekend.

Now let's everyone make it through the week!

2008-07-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Another reason why I LOVE the show. Beautiful.

SYTYCD

2008-07-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been really into the show So You Think You Can Dance. A couple of friends and I have taken to watching it just about every week and we tend to make a pretty fun night out of it. We even have an acronym for our favorite show of the moment...SYTYCD. We are that cool. Anyways, anyone that knows me will understand why I love this show...I enjoy dance. Watching it, doing it, anything about it I love, and the people on this show are all extremely talented.

On Wednesday, one of the judges said something cool about a dance featured on the show: "when internal artistry meets physical expression" This was such a great thought and it really stuck with me. The next night, the same judge said something else that really stuck with me, because it really pertains to a lot of people in my life right now:

"It is difficult to find the avenue of gain while being chauffered by loss."

This is so true. It is SO difficult. But not impossible.