To Trivia!

Team Trivia tonight. the first time since this past summer when we lived in Delaware.

I am absolutely HORRIBLE when it comes to team trivia, but the beers and laughter are why you go, right? And I ran 4 miles today, so I at least earned a beer....

So with what team of people am I joining for team trivia?

a mom's group.

yes, somehow, even though a separate facebook group was set up just for me, the childless one, I am invited to their mom's night out. (pathetic tid bit: it might be a pity invite because they were all talking about trivia night over dinner when I first met them, but still.)

Today's run:

4 miles, 61* weather, 58% humidity. I wore shorts and a tank top, and sleeves, which I probably didn't need. Total time: 36:12/9:03 average pace

Mile 1: 9:30

Mile 2: 9:01

Mile 3: 8:56

Mile 4: 8:42

Lunges to boot at the end. Not sure why, but it seemed to take longer than normal to get my heart rate down (it just felt like it was still running even though I wasn't). Maybe the higher temps?

And what can we say about unfriendly runners? I saw a man running without his shirt (it wasn't THAT warm), listening to his ipod/radio, and not a nod, glance, wave, or gesture of acknowledgement.

He must be a surgeon at my hospital.

Tonight

Dinner at our house with the parent's of my husband's high school best friend.

(sounds odd, I know, but they are such a nice couple-and the high school friend lives in a different state, otherwise we would have him over too of course).

It's beautiful out and I'm debating if we should just eat out in the patio....except the patio is still bare bones and because we're finally just coming out of winter, there are no plants to enjoy.

The house is nearly spotless (minus the messy closets); some more pictures are up on the walls (and off the floor), and dinner....needs to be prepped. Now. (on the menu: cuban food (piccadillo, black beans, perfect white rice, and flan)

Tomorrow I'm planning on meeting up with a friend at the Long Run location. I haven't been since October. She's running 14. me? probably 6-8. Unless I get conned....

The Division

Lately, I've noticed more than ever the effects of getting older. The canyon developing between my eyes, the dark clouds under the eyes, a wider set of hips, dimples on the bottom cheeks.

People always warned me about getting older (watch what you eat, it sticks!), especially patients. The patients never failed to sugar coat aging: "It's no fun getting older."

But nobody ever told me about the division that would come with getting older (age) and children; or should I say being child-less.

And if you're a military spouse reading this, you probably have already noticed this little unscientific factoid: it is rare to meet a 30 year old child-less couple in the military. I like kids. They are painfully honest and incredibly entertaining. But for personal, educational, and medical reasons, we haven't had kids yet (although hopefully maybe one day soon!)

Anyhoo-In an effort to expand my tiny circle of friends here in this new hometown, I was invited (by a friend who has kids) to a book club dinner. It was a good time, and I enjoyed the social aspect of it (although lets be honest: I can't contribute to a discussion on the merits of one car seat over another). I was included in their plan to meet up for trivia night as part of their Mom's Night Out. I gave them my email address, and most of the girls immediately friended me on facebook. I considered it a success.

Last night, I get home from work, shower, eat dinner, eventually get to the computer, and see on facebook that I'm part of a private group, 'bookclub' where there's a post saying:

"Made a group so we can have our book info here and that way Rachel can join and not have to see all the mommy stuff from our other group. Did I forget anyone?"

And I think.....it's nice. Except...you've made it known that there's a group out there that everyone except me is a part of.

I should respond. But I cant figure out what to say. To say something funny would come across mean or acerbic; And to ignore it would seem snooty.

Every time I read that line I feel this little black hole or better yet, a big fat black line.

I understand it probably wasn't the author's intent (and there will always be groups out there that you can't be a part of), but it was just made crystal clear that when people get together, those who have children vs those who have no children is taken into account of invitation.

But enough mulling; Time to change into some running clothes and meet up with the road hogs for a 5 miler followed by greasy pizza and pizza. Take that Dividers!

One Monh

It's been four weeks since moving to our new location; it's getting a tad better.

Sunday mornings have a typical routine spent running, driving to Publix to pick up the NY Times, and then driving to Starbucks to read the NY Times (for whatever reason, the NYTimes supplier of NW Florida does not deliver to any of the Starbucks in the region. Maybe he/she is protesting their 'no decaf after 12' policy). Then it's a quick lunch out, trip to the commissary (and sometimes back to Publix for produce and/or meat), nap, and if it was like yesterday, an afternoon of The Kardashians.

Not quite the home depot, bed bath and beyond of Old School, but eerily close. It would be fun to decorate a house, unpack a box, or shop.

There are certainly highs and lows to living here.

The lows: the newspaper. With each move, the local newspapers get smaller and smaller. And now more than ever, it's scary to read the locals' take on national issues. Some of the sound bytes, quotes, and letters to the editor are jaw dropping.

The highs: Thursday night I crashed the local running club's Thursday night run. As we were waiting for 5:30 to roll around, I was the only female amongst pierced and tattooed men, most of whom were shirtless. In otherwords, I'm thinking, "What am I doing HERE?! Where are the turtles?!"

(there really weren't any turtles to be spoken of.) People welcomed me, and nobody made fun of me when they asked my normal pace (10:30). One of the male members ended up running with me (good thing as I would have be lost with all the turns we made). It's hard for me to talk while running 5 miles at a 9:15/9:30 pace...so here's hoping I'm not dubbed the new snooty one. The pizza, talking, laughing and beer following the run was probably the best part.

Finally, after 4 weeks of not meeting anyone, I was meeting locals and socializing. Quite a high for the week! Now if only we can move into a house and get our house hold goods out of storage!

Halloween

For reasons that should be left unsaid-and for reasons that you can only imagine, I'm banning myself from ever playing Flip Cup*.

But the party was so much fun! and the outfit was great. I loved it so much that I was planning on wearing it out again tonight, but I ended up sleeping in my clothes. I'm still wearing the outfit. I swear, it's that comfy. Stylish and comfy....TLC's What Not to Wear would be proud!

*how new is Flip Cup? I never heard of it until we came to Delaware. Seriously. Did this game exist at Florida???

She's Alive!

It seems like the past 10 days have flown!

I was sick at one point (still on antibiotics) and haven't gone to the gym or jogged in just over a week. The lingering cough is nearly gone, so I should hit the road soon...because.....

I have this crazy idea of trying to run a full marathon this next time next year. I realize that might be kind of crazy, so it might not be for another two years. The goal: a marathon by 30.
This past weekend was the Mairne Copr Marathon -don't want search engines to pick up, sorry-and we went to see our friends from charleston run. My friend's husband ran this marathon last year...this was her first time running a marathon and she did a terrific job. She's quite the motivator right now.

Finally, the last day of psych has arrived! As much as I initially hated this rotation, I really am going to miss the patients on my unit. My partner and I puroposely put ourselves on the geriatic floor because we figured while they might be able to spit on us, yell at us, and smack us, they wouldn't be able to out run us.

And naturally, nobody spit on us, yelled at us (um, scratch that..some did yell), but nobody smacked or chased after us. My heart goes out to some of those patients who are in the state facility because the have no family, or the family essentially abandoned the patient.

Unrelated to psych, (or not as I keep replaying the events in my mind), the first job interview has come and gone. It was like speed dating in slow motion...I went from nurse recruiter to the nurse manager of one department to the nurse manager of another department. At two hours, it was probably my longest interview, and I'm not really sure how it all went. I had woken up early that morning with a splitting headache that reappeared about an hour and a half into the interview. Hopefully I hear something, but it won't be for a couple of more weeks. I'm still keeping my eye out for some of the larger teaching hospitals in the area.

and tonight is halloween! More on that later. What are you all doing for the Halloween??

Aye, Que Rico!

Thanks to gorgeous gal pal Traci & my brother for making this past weekend so enjoyable! After a rough week of finals, I flew home to south Florida.

My brother & his girlfriend picked me up in Ft. Lauderdale and he didn't flinch once when I asked him to drive along Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

So he flinched a little bit. Camera shy maybe?

We didn't get out to go anywhere in Ft. Lauderdale. something to do with my brother's wardrobe. Don't ask. Just be warned...if you're picking me up at the airport, be dressed to GO OUT!

17th St Causeway & A1A. I miss palm trees. and neon.

After the mini-road trip that night was a stop at Pollo Tropical for a Tropi Chop (or chop chop). Essentially black beans and rice (white) with chopped grilled chicken. You're supposed to eat them with plantains, which you order on the side, but mix with the rice, beans, and chicken. Except Pollo was out of plantains....which is like McDonald's being out of fries. Very disappointing, but the rice, beans and chicken were delicious.

Saturday morning I got my brother out of his place by 8:45am...unheard of for him. First stop? A nearby cuban restaurant for a cortadito...1/2 cuban coffee, 1/2 steamed milk. then a bagel (hehe, I hit both of my cultures). Then a trip to my old house and neighborhood plus a visit with my childhood friend Liz and her beautiful daughter Ella.

Afterwards my brother and I shopped for his place...then I met up with Traci!

That night was filled with good food, shopping, and Sex & the City. We started off at a favorite restaurant, where I had bistec empanizado (breaded steak) with moro (black beans and rice that are mixed in while cooking). Followed by dessert.

The best flan ever. I will have to try making this again...without spilling it on the floor...

Then it was off to Lincoln Rd on Miami Beach to see Sex & the City. Snapshots of the city...notice the pink sidewalks of Miami Beach. I was thinking of these pink sidewalks during my final exam on Friday afternoon....

The movie was hilarious. We laughed so much in those 2 1/2 hours! After the movie we walked Lincoln Rd which was just as I remembered it: young, old, gay, straight, English, Spanish, South American, all with their dogs.

Sunday we had breakfast at the News Cafe & walked along either Washington of Collins Ave...I forget which one. Then a trip to Merrick Park where we gawked at the art inside Neiman Marcus. I found a couple of Dolce & Gabbana dresses that I had to have. Then Dadeland...where I am still mad at myself for not getting the shoes I saw marked down to 80something.

More Miami Beach....I spy tourists, even if I played (and dressed) like one...

Finally, we met my brother & his girlfriend for dinner at a Miami staple. Versailles. No, not french food, but more cuban food. You've all seen this place on the news...the minute something happens in Cuba, the newscasters head to Versailles to interview the cubans who are sipping their coffee. This is a restaurant where you will see people dining in baseball caps and tee shirts next to people in tuxs & gowns, dressed to the nines.

I had arroz con pollo (chicken and rice...even though I make that a lot). and for dessert, Tres Leches. !que rico! then it was time for the cafecito at the window.

Un cafecito & dos cortaditos, por favor...

Then it was time for a photo shoot!

Leopardtini to Me!

I need to find a picture of my shoes, because if you saw those, you would understand why that leopard martini glass is the most perfect gift from my nursing school friends.

They are incredibly cool and I'm so glad to have met such a great group in such a short amount of time.

The glass will go great with my new ultra funk-filled sari bag :) Loving it!

What Student Nurses do on the Weekends...

Inject strawberries with triple sec!

Hey...we have to learn how to do injections someway or another...

OMG

This dinner (+ this brie w/ apples)

was so. freaken. delicious.

I'm delirious.

from the dinner.

or the wine.

or the convo.

it's a toss up.

It was all so damn good.

To Good Friends :)

"Future Dalai Lama"

What a great weekend! Traci made it to town late Thursday-poor thing, she came up to visit me in Delaware and spent more time OUTSIDE Delaware.

Friday we hit IKEA (the novelty of the store has yet to wash away and I insist on bringing all of my friends to this mega store). A yummy sandwhich at Pat's (complete with f-and b- bombs from the guys working the soda & fry line), followed by trying to find parking in the city. Luckily these two grads can read a map and we found the historic district without a problem. Since we're more into shopping than history, we only visited the Liberty Bell & part of the Betsy Ross house (pictures will be added soon). And what trip to Philly is complete without stopping at Reading Terminal Market???

The new "BEST DRINK EVER" goes to the Amish family selling the Strawberry-Lemonade.

We spent Saturday in Maryland, first in Annapolisis. Who knew there was such a cute picturesque town there? The navy boys (from the Academy) were spending the first weekend out of prison and Traci and I wanted nothing more than to take a picture with them (especially the one eating the ice cream cone).

For lunch, we found a sandwich place called The Big Cheese. Two words: YUMM-O. This is the store I would love to own if I knew a thing about making food. i don't remember what Traci or Ryan had, but I had an apple & brie sandwich on a small french loaf of bread. I even got to pick out which loaf I wanted them to use for my sandwich! The brownies we had were delicious, too. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :)

After walking around Annapolis we headed to Baltimore. Timing wasn't quite right and the Water Museum was closing in an hour so just went straight to the Inner Harbour, which is kind of touristy, but nice nonetheless. except, it was so darn hot. I'm losing my Florida/Charleston adaptability to heat (especially after having three days worth of 60* weather here last week).

Sunday we had to take Traci to the airport :( So sad, but now I know flights are super cheap from Philly to south Florida that once our house ever sells (HA!) I'll be able to visit Traci more often. It's already known I will be visiting her and Versailles once Castro is dead... ;) Hmm...maybe we can go to the 'events' at the Orange Bowl, too...(I think Traci is the only person out there who will understand any of this).

MWAH to Traci for coming to visit :)

After leaving the airport, Ryan & I headed to IKEA where we still couldn't find any curtains (for the guest bedroom) and then we headed back to PASSYUNK & 9th for ANOTHER cheesesteak. Except this time we at Gino's.

hm. first off, the people in line are just stupid (yet we joined them). The line was so long that the people did NOT wrap around the restaurant (on the sidewalk, in the shade), but kept the line going straight out INTO THE STREET. Uh-huh.

Second, the people working behind the counter were nice. They actually said, "Can I help ya?" as opposed to, "NEXT!" (which is what the say at Pat's).

Third, the place was clean. we could have eaten the sandwich off the counter tops WITHOUT the paper liner.

and finally, forth, I heard no cursing. And the lady tried to give me cheese fries (what's up with that??). When I asked (for the second time that week) for REGULAR fries, she said, "Ok, just a minute." There was no, "Why the fuck did you mess up her order?" or "I don't know, if you were fucking helping me like you were supposed to, I wouldn't have fucked up her order bitch."

So...I think I liked Pat's better for the atmosphere. But if I'm bringing little people under the age of 12, it'll probably be Geno's.

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AND-Muchas gracias a mi amiga FRANCES for the lovely shoe pajamas :) Put a big smile on my face!