Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Guess who's back, back again?

Who has two thumbs and has been a bad blogger *this girl*
Whoopsie! In my defense, I was on spring break (aka drinking with besties until I couldn’t feel feelings about midterms) and had some birthday celebrations going on :)

I’m officially one year away from the “mid-twenties” according to my classmates, when did I get so ancient… I mean young… Ha! Kidding! I’m the first one in my class to turn 23 so they’re having fun razzing me about being the “old lady” of the group.  Psh, 23 is nothing, however no guarantees I won’t throw the quarter life crisis of the century in 2 years, it’ll be legendary (said in the Barney Stinson voice).

My birthday started out amazingly with a phone call from a certain boy :) He woke me up, but totally worth it in my book!  The goof even apologized- like I minded the wake up call, pish posh.  He was also funny, he said he had some of his guys “running interference” so we could talk a little longer.  It’s the little things he does like that which make my heart swell. 

Spring break was uneventful, just two much needed weekends away and some AMAZING clinical observations. I cannot wait to work with little kiddos and help them to hear!  Plus all those cool earmolds and ways to make hearing aids fun is pretty amazing in my book.  It is days like this past week where I love what I am studying, despite all the tests/papers I have coming up in the next few weeks…. ugh can it be May 13th yet!?!  20 page paper, case study review, lit review, hour long presentation on the 20 page paper, and 2 finals…. oof.  I’m going to be living in the library these next few weeks.  On top of all of that I have to run as many subjects as I can for my research professor.  Argh, can my semester from hell be done already? *just keep swimming* is my new motto.

Thankfully I get a week between spring semester finishing up and summer semester starting, minus a clinical shift.  HOPEFULLY leave will happen around then so LT and I can enjoy some really amazing time together.  At least my doughnut of misery is at 60% done, it now says “excited yet?” on the bottom, cue the girlish squeal.

Check out all my travels- pretty nifty eh?


 Also- jumping on the map bandwagon, as you can see I’ve been pretty well traveled minus the south and the northeast.  Can you tell I’m a Midwestern (read: flatlander) gal? My parents took my kid sis and I on many a long road trip in good old ‘Big Red’ the family van monstrosity, and I also had my share of trekking through girl scouts but for some reason never really made it out east (save PA)… I’d love to live out there someday, but I should probably visit first before I make that decision… just a thought.

Other than school taking over my life until May, not much else going on- just some culinary adventures and a bestie weekend coming up soon, much needed breaks from papers/tests.  I have a feeling my good old Mac Book is going to be getting quite the keyboard work out in these next few days…. I feel the need to apologize to it now :/ sorry Maci Macintosh!

And yes, that is my computer’s name, I name all my major purchases in my life including my cars. My current vehicle is named Brigitte, Brig for short, or Brig the bi-otch if she’s being cantankerous (previous vehicles include Hans and Gustav- yes all german cars).  LT hates my naming affinity, but I think that may be because I gave his car a nerdy Harry Potter name… oopsie! (His car was black and could handle any beating the LT threw at it, so I named it the Bludger, he failed to find the humor in it)

Anywhoo- beddy by time for this old lady.  Up and at ‘em early to write a freaking chapter outline… at least it is short this week. G’nite all! (also, how funny is it that my 23rd post is about my 23rd birthday... life is funny like that sometimes)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring Break Shenanigans

Well not much of a spring break to report thus far, but a much needed weekend of D^2 debauchery in my alma mater.  I should explain, my BFFs and I all have nicknames for each other, and 2 of us happen to be Danielle, so when together, we are D^2, and when apart we call each other our square roots.  So needless to say, this reunion weekend was fun and a much needed break from responsibility :)

Now that I am back in town, oh man, I’m in a hell of a funk!

I don’t know what it is for sure, but I have a pretty good idea.  LT and I’s 6 year anniversary and my birthday (# 23) is tomorrow (the 24th), and it is just a very bittersweet day.  The last post was about the day he just asked me to dinner, while on that dinner date we actually had the “so what are we” conversation… oh high school dating drama ;)  I’ve only had a facebook message in the last few weeks so I’m just down I guess.  They’re still stretched thin with guys on leave, and on top of it LT changing jobs while the new PL takes over.  It is very hard when you talk to friends who’s significant other has recently returned, and while I am SO SO SO happy for them, a little, bitty, tiny, pessimistic part of me wants to play the pity game (thankfully that lasts all of 0.00003 seconds and is also quelled with chocolate). 

I’m just sooooo ready for leave to get here.  My donut of misery is creeping along, and right now looks like about 60% done with no leave date in sight.  I understand in the Army’s eyes he is “single” but there are plenty of family and friends that are anxious to spend some time with him.  Being the last one to go after watching all your buddies is certainly taking it’s toll on his morale, he is getting really sarcastic lately…. So come on Gen. Petraeus, give him a chance already ;)

The funk I’m currently in is almost worst than the one I was in around the holidays.  I think part of it is also my fault for getting this idea of spring break together in my head and not being rationale about it probably not happening…. Stupid pre-frontal cortex, you are supposed to think rationally!  I think my hormones keep running interference on the whole cerebral cortex- damn you estrogen!

In other not so pathetic news, I get to see something REALLY cool tomorrow.  I’m going to watch a diagnostic ABR or auditory brainstem response test.  It is a test that is done on newborns that fail their newborn hearing screening, and it is a good test to measure/estimate the hearing loss *if* they have one, most parents freak out (understandably) but sometimes kids just fail a screening as a fluke chance, hence why we do the ABR.  It is done while the child is sleeping, and they will have electrodes that will measure their brainwaves' response to clicks/tones that are presented to each ear over period of time.  It’s a very intense and emotional test, but very reliable when compared to a screening.  I hope the kiddo’s parents don’t cancel tomorrow, because this is what I want to do the rest of my life, so here is a chance to really see it in action and maybe even get to assist for a bit *cue the squeal like a little girl*

Ok, off to bed and here is to hoping that playing with babies tomorrow will put a big old cheesy smile on my face.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

All because two people fell in love...


Who would have thought that 6 years ago today I’d walk to my locker after school to find a note from my recent Sadie Hawkins’ date that said, “meet me here after school, I have something to ask you.” Along with the note was a drawing of leprechauns and wishing me a happy St. Pat’s.  (I still have that note stashed away in a memory box to this day) 

When we finally met after school, you asked what I would be doing next weekend for my birthday, and I let you know that I had no plans (while inside I couldn't stop squealing).  You then asked if you could take me out to dinner, and walked me to my car to chat while I grabbed my running clothes for track practice, and then walked me to the locker room. 

I can honestly say these have been happiest 6 years of my life.  Through all the tears and tough times, you have always been there for me, and for that I thank you.  We’ve grown from awkward high school kids unsure of where we would be in a year, to confident young adults striving to figure out our next steps.

That was then….

(Kinda cheating, this was my Senior Prom)


This is now…

(Circa August, right before I had to say "see you soon")

I miss you LT, and seeing these photos really takes me back to where it all began.  

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

One down, One to Go! And a *snazzy* new accessory.

Yep, one midterm down, one left.  Thankfully this one is a take home, so hopefully this is slightly easier than the I took this morning.... ugh brain drain like no other.  7 weeks of auditory anatomy, and we only got to the inner ear, we didn't even make it to the cranial nerves or the brain- yeesh! Ugh, brain is fried thankfully I have some chocolate fudge frosting and graham crackers, my guilty post test treat :)

Also, in regards to the new accessory.  I woke up this morning with some green crud and a very pink looking eye, so naturally since I've be doing research with children, so I'm thinking pink eye.... Boy was I wrong!! I went to the campus health clinic, saw the Dr. was rushed to the opthamologist for further testing (I seriously was terrified and shaking!) and when all was said and done, turns out I do have an infection but a way more serious one.  I have a corneal ulcer (which if you so choose, you can read about here, but you have been warned!) so basically that means I managed to scratch my cornea somehow and it then became infected.  Hence the snazzy new accessory. It is only for today because they put some "goopy"antibiotic drops in there and wanted them to soak in all the way.  Thankfully after tonight, it will be needed only when I'm sleeping for the next week.  So, endless eye drops for the next 10 days and no contacts for 3 weeks.  I'll survive, the true test will be in 3 weeks when I go back to the opthamologist and see if everything heals up and *fingers crossed* no scarring.

I'm very blessed in the fact that it isn't affecting my vision so this will be much easier with school.  However I realized something, when I was freaking out and scared, I wanted nothing more than someone to go with me to the doctor and hold my hand and tell me everything was going to be ok.  It was the first time in a long while that I've actually felt lonely here at school.  My best friends are all a phone call away, but it just wasn't the same.  I also wanted to call and tell LT, but an email will just have to suffice.  I guess I'm just tired and whiney, but it was quite an eventful day, that is for sure!!


How do you like my awesome pirate impression?
The patch I was wearing earlier my classmates drew an eye on it for me, it was quite comical :)  Unfortunately, it lost the adhesive due to my eye tearing up, otherwise I would share.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

I'm still alive, I promise!

Oh my goodness, it's been quite a long time! My apologies, school has just crapped on my life, plus I was also super busy with my BFFs in town for a long weekend :) It felt so great to be reunited, and it was exactly the breath of fresh air I needed in my life.  I love my best friends so much, and late nights talking about the LT, life, and my dreams put me right back on track.  To be honest, I've been in a bit of a funk lately.  I think part of it is due to leave being pushed further and further back, and the realization that despite all my wishing and hoping, he won't be home for our anniversary or my birthday.  I always knew it was a very big possibility, but it is time to accept it.  *sigh* I'll still keep dragging my feet.

The girl time with movies, homemade pie, good food, lots of wine and going out was a blast!  It felt great to get all dolled up and go out just to spend time with my friends.  There is something about looking good just for you that feels amazing, and I really need to get back into that habit.  I'm not one of those get dolled up every time I see him kinda gals, but I do like to look good occasionally.  I've really let my hair/makeup go to the wayside, and when I try I clean up nicely.  I think a haircut and a visit to the dermatologist (stupid hormones making me look 16 all over again with the acne) will go a long way for boosting my self confidence and helping me want to take the time to do things just for me again.

Also, the graduate college has royally screwed me over lately.... I seriously want to throw sharp pointy objects at them.  Turns out they haven't been taxing my graduate research stipend properly... and so for the next 2-3 months I'll be getting $60 less per stipend.  That may not seem like a lot, but when you only get $750 a month and close to $500 of that is for rent, $60 goes a long long long way.  That's more than 1/2 my grocery bill for the month. And with the way gas prices are going, that's a full tank and a half for my car.  Yikes huh? I'm glad I took out a little extra loan money for a cushion, but dang... I was hoping to save some of that to pay back at the end of the year should I not use all of it. I'm just angry at the whole situation.  I was promised a set stipend and the whole variability thing is really throwing me for a loop.  I realize I am very lucky in the fact that I have a job that is mostly paying for me to go to school, but dang it, I live off of every penny of that stipend, and pretty frugally too.

Finally, something for a little bit of a laugh after all the whining and complaining ;)
LT finally called the other day, probably the 1st time in a month he'd been able to call due to being stretched a little thin with all the guys gone on leave.  And as Murphy's Law would have it.... I was in the shower of course.  So glad I keep my phone by me at all times, other wise I'd be so upset if I missed the call. So I jump out of the shower, still full of shampoo and body wash, to answer my phone dripping water and soap everywhere.  My poor bathroom rug took it the hardest, I had to throw it on the balcony to drip dry a bit :) Needless to day, LT was enjoying this crazy scene way too much and laughing about the whole thing, and while I was mortified at first, I can at least laugh about it now.  I'm sure I'm not the only one to jump out of the shower to answer a phone call from the guy while deployed.  Or am I?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Holy cow, when did March get here!?!

Yikes, where has the semester gone!?! Seriously, I am only a few weeks from midterms, and man do I have some studying to do!! My hardest class is kicking my butt, and I need to put in some study time these next few weeks.  My classmates and I have a study date later this week, so I think it'll be super helpful to talk through some concepts with them.  I should probably take some time to read the book over again and notes and all that fun stuff..... whee grad school!

Thankfully I have my BFFs coming into town this weekend... yay girl time!! *let the frantic cleaning/organizing begin* I seriously can't wait to see them, while it has only been 2 weeks, I miss my girls while I'm here.  We have some MAJOR celebrating to do, one of my girls has her birthday this weekend, and the other just got a job as a teacher for the rest of they year.... look out CU, we'll be running a little wild ;)

Also, if you haven't figured out what college I'm currently attending, this may give it away haha.  This weekend is "UnOFfIcial", or a huge St. Pat's celebration that is a drinking day on campus.  Bars open at 11am, but others pre-game before then, and apparently the main street through campus town gets crazy.  I have clinicals in the morning, and I'll probably hold off on the celebrating until the girls come into town, I have to finish my work first. But, this weekend shall probably be nuts, and I for SURE won't be doing the good old 'kegs and eggs' style celebration.... I just can't keep up with those undergrads anymore (probably for the better, ha!)  Big 10 schools know how to have a good time, so glad I went to a small school for undergrad, I could not have handled this at 18.

In other news, I'm determined to make this month awesome! I'm currently working on an awesome anniversary package for the LT, 6 years in just a few weeks.... holy cow! It seriously seems like just yesterday we were awkward high school kids just starting to date and go to prom together, and here we are almost 6 years later.  I honestly would not have predicted this future for us, but while we've had our tough times, I wouldn't trade them for anything.  This month also means my 23rd birthday and spring break are coming up.  It'll be a busy month, but at least there is some down time to be had.

In not so good news, Mr. Soldier got delayed on leave yet again.... *big old pouty lip* There is some hope he'll be back sooner because he's switching jobs, but I'll believe it when I see him at the airport.  Just trying to stay positive, and trying to accept the fact it might be as much as 10 months from when I last saw him to when I'll finally get a kiss again. The silver lining will be that when he does have to go back at the end of leave, he'll be not far from coming back again... at least that is my mantra for now.

I'll probably be MIA for the rest of the week, but I'll be sure to have photos and I'm sure tons of stories to share after this weekend.  It's going to be one for the record books that is for sure!