cliche

Forgive and Forget.

Forgive, but don't forget.

So what does it all really mean? I mean, we all grew up hearing the cliche of our elders and role models, but how do we really learn forgiveness? Is it coated somewhere in our DNA? Is it the lessons we learn on the playground in pre-k? Or do we learn it from our parents, no matter how backwards their antics might seem?

Forgiveness can be granted with or without the other asking for forgiveness.

Some of the people we meet (like myself) are less inclined to hold things against people. I don't know why, but finding the "benefit of a doubt" is pretty easy for me. I guess I see both the human side and the realistic side of people and their actions... and perhaps a little too readily. It's left me holding on to the good in not so good people and clinging to the hope for things that really will never come --- but it has also kept great people from exiting my life, my family from falling apart at the seams, and mostly, me who I am. 

His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it to hold the memory of a wrong. 

The secret of forgiving everything is to understand nothing -- or to understand everything. 

You decide. 

ghse

Today, I started my first day at my first real world employer. It was great! Although I'm not working as an OT yet, technically due to licensure and etc etc etc I'm limited to what I'm allowed to due until I pass my boards and  submit all my certification paperwork. BUT, it is so nice to be in a work environment where the staff is thrilled to have me back there, even as temporary rehab tech in the interim. And minus the actual paycheck that I'll be receiving, it's nice to know that they want me there as much as possible. I've been told to work as many hours as I can as a tech since they'll be putting me to good use. Today I learned how to do an nerve conduction study (NCV) and shock the bajezus out of peoples median and ulnar nerves! (It was fun, don't laugh). Then I made a Munster splint, which is like the most difficult and intricate of all splints, it was kind of a nightmare riveting all that nonsense together. Regardless, I'm a happy girl tonight and to celebrate, I'm completing Chapter 7 of my NBCOT exam study guide WHOOOOOOOO!

I tried to find a picture of a Munster splint ... but apparently they aren't that common!

i'm dreaming of a ....

WHITE CHRISTMAS!

For the first time in 128 years it snowed in Georgia on Christmas Day. 

I've only lived in GA for 21 of my almost 25 years now, but it was indeed very neat to get to experience this. 

A Christmas 2010 recap: Earlier in the Christmas week, I packed up Lex & Kujo and headed the 35 minutes to Mom & Mark's house for an extended Christmas stay. I figured my friends were there, my boyfriend lives there, so as long as I had my cats with me I wouldn't have to worry about driving back and forth! So Christmas Eve we had Steph, Jared and Jackson over. We opened gifts, had a HUGE amazing dinner, and I attempted to finish my annual week Christmas "family" puzzle.  (It'd supposed to be a family puzzle, but I pretty do most of it because I can't drag myself away).  And now that Christmas has past and my sister has informed all that needed to know (and then some) I can share the great news with my small online world --  MY SISTER'S EXPECTING ANOTHER BABY! She's due mid-July and I couldn't be happier about becoming an aunt for the 3rd time (counting Jackson, July baby, and my best friends newest addition, Abby).  

Christmas Day was great. Snow, family, leftovers, and a bottle of "Electric Reindeer" wine that I consumed that evening. Oh, I also got bored since my family went to the cabin so I rearranged all the photos and decor on my mom's living room shelves ... It won't take her long to notice, but I think she'll love it! 

two, blue, and all boy

Happy Birthday to my FAVORITE little 2 y/o! 

 

everything pink

Congratulations to two of my favorite people in this world on the birth of my new favorite little girl, Abigail Grace.

Can't wait to spoil this little one :)

Picture taken 2 weeks before baby girl was born :)

24/40

It's done, my 24 weeks of 40 hrs a week of unpaid work is completed!

And it definitely ended on a crazy note. 

What do MRSA, CP, Autism, Hydrocephalus, and Epilepsy have in common -- they were all on the diagnosis list for my last eval. 

This adorable little boy had just been discharged from the CIRU thirty minutes AFTER he came for an outpatient eval. Interacting with a kiddo in gowns, gloves, and masks was not what I was expecting on my last day! But, I suppose I do like to be kept on my toes!

BUT, I'M DONE!!! 

 

Bah-hum-bug

In light of all of the holiday posts about Christmas music and the radio blabbering on and on about the 'sounds of the season', I feel it appropriate to let you all in on a secret on mine. When it comes to holiday music --  I'm a Scrooge, Grinch, and the person that kicks Tiny Tim's little crutch out from under him. I really do not care for Christmas music in the slightest. I have nothing against it, just no affinity for it. HOWEVER --- with that being said --- there is one song that I will listen too ... in fact it's the only Christmas CD that my Mom's been allowed to play in the house since I was younger if she wanted me to stick around and help bake, decorate, or wrap presents. So, without further ado: 

weds, thurs, fri

Wednesday: 8am - 6:15pm OT Meeting with Inservice Presentation by yours truly

(topic of task analysis with home programing friendly verb-age for kiddos parents) 

Thursday: 8:30a - 6:15p

Friday: 8a - 1p

Done.

Done.

DONE!!!!

That's right online world, two and 1/2 real days of clinical rotation left, then it's coffee shops and textbooks to cram my brain full of things I've already learned at some point in the past 2 1/2 years. 

Officially start my first day at Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow on December 27th. I'll be working part time under the title of a Rehab Tech until I take my boards then it's full-time and Hello, R/L!  

complacency

complacency: self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

 

 

 There are very few moments in life where complacency are okay in my book. One should not be complacent, but always looking for growth or depth or SOMETHING. Too many times this month have I seen people getting complacent in their ways of life. It's probably due to the fact that I'm just gearing up and finding all this new excitement and energy towards studying for the boards and my new job, but ... still people. A little extra is what defines a situation, a scenario, a relationship, a job, A LIFE. 

So, do something different today!

 

Call a friend instead of text them. 

 

Look for a different job if you don't find yourself in love with the one you have.

 

Instead of saying 'i love you' to your signigicant other, tell them "i love you today because ___(insert something great they did for you today here)___ "

 

There are a million reasons not to go out of your way, but the effort is 

contagious and puts a smile on everyone's face.  

 

-- Soapbox, end --- 

 

:) 

 

 (taken during a cabin vacay with the girls in '06)

eat, drink, and be 'merry'

Tis the season right?

Holiday parties are in full swing, beginning last weekend with an OT Christmas party filled with peppermint candy cane martinis, pictionary, pot luck and presents to this weekends trek to a new friends adorable abode in Logansville for probably the most delicious array of snacks and wine ever (not to mention the leftover cupcake that I just ate for breakfast)! 

After two weekends of eating, drinking, and being very marry then catching a cold, this is one 

holiday snacker who needs to hit the gym asap!

Giving Thanks

This year I've had a lot to be thankful for ... my lack of  down time to blog about it in a timely manner, is not one however! (And my computer still only likes to let me open Blogger like twice a week).

 (A table setting at Thanksgiving dinner)

 To recap a few events recently: Thanksgiving came and went and thanks to my sister for hosting a whole lot of family at her house, it was beautiful. All 14 members from both sides of her and my brother in law's families came together under their roof to celebrate all the things we are thankful for. Me, I was just thankful to be spending a holiday with family. Last year I spent Thanksgiving at a bar watching football then had 3am dinner at IHOP across the street. In 2008, I spent Thanksgiving at Mammoth Mountain learning how to snowboard with a good friend that graduated from USC in the OT program with me. So family (while still overwhelming in mass quantities, no offense!) was much needed and greatly welcomed this year. 

And then December happened .... Not sure when it became the last month of the year and time to get in the Christmas spirit, but wow, it is here. A week or so ago, Justin helped me go get a REAL Christmas tree and decorate the dining room for the holiday. This is the first year I've done a real tree on my own. And again, I'm looking forward to some Christmas normalcy this year. 

A review of my last few amazing Christmas adventures: 

2006: Left for backpacking trip to London, Dublin, Paris & Amsterdam on Christmas day. 

2008: My nephew was born 2 days before Christmas, so we celebrated Christmas in the hospital with my sister recuperating.

2009: Landed in Hawaii on Christmas day to celebrate the marriage of two of the greatest people I know. 

And then came my nephew's 2nd birthday party. It was adorable. A bunch of little kids running a muck at a play zone of foam, industrial blown up plastic, and under enthusiastic staff.  He loved it! I don't have any photos to date (I left 'Robbie' at home), but I will post any that pop up here soon. 

On the agenda for the upcoming weekend and week ahead: Break in the new eye glasses (my eyes need a serious relief from contact lens according to my eye doc), celebrate the little sister's 18th bday, spend time with the hot boyfriend, break in the holiday spirit at a Christmas party, then finish up my last week of my 24 weeks of clinical rotations. Super excited to be done officially with all things schooling related and start working at my new employer on Dec 27th!!! 

Till then!

Finally Legal

Happy 18th birthday to my beautiful little sister :)