I'm an adult, when did this happen? No, seriously, it's like I woke up one morning and the medical bills are piling up, I'm feeling more motherly than ownerly towards my dog and everyone around me is getting married or having babies. My best friend, my partner in crime, is getting married next month and I'm one of the photogs for her wedding. It's just crazy. Does all this make me feel left out? That I am *that* friend. The single, pitiful one? You betcha. Even my mom begs me to get a boyfriend at this point. But I really don't want to rush into anything. I've been reevaluating things lately and here's what I want to achieve in the first 5 years. Ya'll's opinion is definitely welcome.
1. Achieve a Bachelor's Degree
This is one I have to give some thought to. I want to be a Paramedic for quite awhile. I want to get trauma experience, do a trach, save a few lives and make connections within the trauma center. I really want to be a Flight Paramedic for Med-Trans but I also would like my Bachelor's. I don't feel good about just stopping at my Associates... so, I am going to look at my options at Clemson and see what is best for me to go into, whether it's my BSN or not. Of course, I am still planning on getting my MSN and BSN but, I am not sure if my life is supposed to take that path immediately.
2. Buy a house.
I love my apartment, I have the fireplace, the vaulted ceilings, the huge patio, my HUGE closet and HUGE bathroom... but I can't customize it and make it *home*. I already know my price range and have been working on making my credit A LOT better (one credit card will be completely paid off this month, another creditor will be paid off in a few months and then in One year, 4 months I'll be completely out of credit card debit. I am SO excited for that day. I already know what I need to save down payment wise (thinking about saving 10,000+ dollars for something blows my mind). There's a house currently on the market here, where I plan on living for a very long while (I am in love with this area and it's become my second home so I am planning on buying a house in this city) and it's perfect, already decorated the way I'd love it, it just needs new flooring, a new fridge and new cabinets, along with a few things done to the master bath. But I am definitely not all saved up for a down payment and I am in a lease that I plan on staying in for a few years... so that's kind of depressing.
3. Find Mr. Right
He's out there, right? I recently revamped my standards. I need someone around here, who has the same goals in life as me (home ownership, college education, a family, living debt free, traveling), someone who values my family and understands that distance makes the heart grow fonder. I'm not going to give up but currently this part of my life is really frustrating.
4. Meet More People
I have been a little bit of a hermit lately, not getting out there and throwing myself out there to meeting people. But with my life I have been too busy to do this but... I am trying to figure out a way to change that (a way I won't mention on my blog for all eyes to see).
5. Lose the weight
Right now this is a bit impossible, I'm pretty sure my medicine has caused me to develop a stomach ulcer so I feel hungry constantly right now and eatting makes the pain go away (though tonight it has been much much better). But I really need to buckle down and get this done. For my health, for my well being and for my emotional well being. So off to the gym I go. I need to do it to become a better EMT and a better Firefighter.
So that's my list for now, it might get longer but I want all 5 of these achieved in 5 years. Your opinions would be appreciated. I am scared but excited... yay adulthood lol.
B
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Up in the air....
Hi, My name is Brenda and I'm a frequent traveler (it's part of being an adrenaline junkie after all!).
So just some thoughts that crossed my mind as I was walking through the airport this morning... In case you don't know, I have a parent who works in the airline industry so flying is something that is just a common as waking up in the morning to me. I've been doing it since before I can remember and have been some really neat places before. And believe it or not, my favorites are in America! Seattle, Boston and Maine stand out on that list greatly. The parent has been some awesome places too including Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Germany (I sooo want to go to Germany one day!). The parent has actually been with the company for 1 month more than I am years old... they started in September of the year I was born and I was born in October. Anyways....
Through the years I have seen some major changes within this industry. I remember the days of the airline industry when you could just walk through security and people watch, one of my mom's favorite pasttimes (and still is, but then again, have you seen some of the people in the airport? There's some characters!). Then... one day changed it all. I flew September 18th 2001... that's right, 7 days after September 11th. I'll never forget it. Momma Clark, (my great-grandmother) had passed away and we were flying to her funeral in Tennessee. Suddenly, the world I knew was shattered. Stricter security, men standing around with guns everywhere, my mom had to watch us board the flight from the outer terminal as she wasn't flying that day so she couldn't enter the terminal past security. The airport wasn't somewhere you could go to the gate and cheer as you watched your relative's plane come in... it became a place of fear, pride and a reality check in a matter of minutes. I also need to touch on one other memory of mine it shattered. Before September 11th, as long as my parent accompanied me, I could go anywhere in the terminal. I got to go in the hanger (which was sooo cool), in the basement of the terminal, we could just walk through one door (didn't even have to go through security!) and go to the credit union in the terminal.... it was cool being an airline employee's daughter. I got to see so many things that most people will never see in their lifetime. After September 11th, that was of course thrown out. Flash forward to the summer of 2002, one of my favorite family vacations. We first flew to Washington D.C..... I loved it! While waiting for a shuttle to our rental car, my dad nudged me and asked me if I knew who was sitting beside me in first class on the way to Washington D.C. I immediately shook my head no but my interest was peaked. Well, since my dad saw them going in and out of the airport, he knew who the air marshalls were.... and there was one right beside me!! Then it hit me, even the skies aren't safe anymore. Then we flew onto New York City after spending a few days in Washington D.C. We walked through the airport to get to our shuttle to the hotel we were staying at in Times Square (the Crowne Plaza Times Square... it was SWEET!). There they were... National Guard Soldiers standing at ready in the terminal with large guns on the shoulder.... and since then, with the ban of liquids, the new scanners (I saw it at ATL today and was terrified it was going to be used on me... not a fan of it), the air marshalls and the removal of your shoes before you go through the metal detector.... things will never be the same.
And by the way, I always used to picture me meeting the man of my dreams while waiting for a flight... he talks about his interesting travels, I talk about mine, we exchange numbers, fall in love and travel the world together.... a girl can dream.
So one last thing on this note. People ask me why I have such lofty education goals. I don't ever see me going into aviation. I would kill to be a flight attendant, pilot or any other job that would allow me to fly constantly but.... let's be honest. The aviation industry isn't the most stable for new people. So, I want to have a job (As of right now, the highest I want to go is nurse practitioner) that will help me finance a lifestyle in which my children can experience the lifestyle I did as a kid, getting to travel and see so many places. I'd love to own a vacation home in the north one day, it's been one of my goals for a long long time. But I will make sure I do everything possible to make sure my kids have the opportunities for travel that I do (and even better if possible!)
So, here's to me going back to trying to rest before my flight... B
So just some thoughts that crossed my mind as I was walking through the airport this morning... In case you don't know, I have a parent who works in the airline industry so flying is something that is just a common as waking up in the morning to me. I've been doing it since before I can remember and have been some really neat places before. And believe it or not, my favorites are in America! Seattle, Boston and Maine stand out on that list greatly. The parent has been some awesome places too including Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Germany (I sooo want to go to Germany one day!). The parent has actually been with the company for 1 month more than I am years old... they started in September of the year I was born and I was born in October. Anyways....
Through the years I have seen some major changes within this industry. I remember the days of the airline industry when you could just walk through security and people watch, one of my mom's favorite pasttimes (and still is, but then again, have you seen some of the people in the airport? There's some characters!). Then... one day changed it all. I flew September 18th 2001... that's right, 7 days after September 11th. I'll never forget it. Momma Clark, (my great-grandmother) had passed away and we were flying to her funeral in Tennessee. Suddenly, the world I knew was shattered. Stricter security, men standing around with guns everywhere, my mom had to watch us board the flight from the outer terminal as she wasn't flying that day so she couldn't enter the terminal past security. The airport wasn't somewhere you could go to the gate and cheer as you watched your relative's plane come in... it became a place of fear, pride and a reality check in a matter of minutes. I also need to touch on one other memory of mine it shattered. Before September 11th, as long as my parent accompanied me, I could go anywhere in the terminal. I got to go in the hanger (which was sooo cool), in the basement of the terminal, we could just walk through one door (didn't even have to go through security!) and go to the credit union in the terminal.... it was cool being an airline employee's daughter. I got to see so many things that most people will never see in their lifetime. After September 11th, that was of course thrown out. Flash forward to the summer of 2002, one of my favorite family vacations. We first flew to Washington D.C..... I loved it! While waiting for a shuttle to our rental car, my dad nudged me and asked me if I knew who was sitting beside me in first class on the way to Washington D.C. I immediately shook my head no but my interest was peaked. Well, since my dad saw them going in and out of the airport, he knew who the air marshalls were.... and there was one right beside me!! Then it hit me, even the skies aren't safe anymore. Then we flew onto New York City after spending a few days in Washington D.C. We walked through the airport to get to our shuttle to the hotel we were staying at in Times Square (the Crowne Plaza Times Square... it was SWEET!). There they were... National Guard Soldiers standing at ready in the terminal with large guns on the shoulder.... and since then, with the ban of liquids, the new scanners (I saw it at ATL today and was terrified it was going to be used on me... not a fan of it), the air marshalls and the removal of your shoes before you go through the metal detector.... things will never be the same.
And by the way, I always used to picture me meeting the man of my dreams while waiting for a flight... he talks about his interesting travels, I talk about mine, we exchange numbers, fall in love and travel the world together.... a girl can dream.
So one last thing on this note. People ask me why I have such lofty education goals. I don't ever see me going into aviation. I would kill to be a flight attendant, pilot or any other job that would allow me to fly constantly but.... let's be honest. The aviation industry isn't the most stable for new people. So, I want to have a job (As of right now, the highest I want to go is nurse practitioner) that will help me finance a lifestyle in which my children can experience the lifestyle I did as a kid, getting to travel and see so many places. I'd love to own a vacation home in the north one day, it's been one of my goals for a long long time. But I will make sure I do everything possible to make sure my kids have the opportunities for travel that I do (and even better if possible!)
So, here's to me going back to trying to rest before my flight... B
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Oh hi adulthood!
First of all.... I feel old. My best friend just had a baby and I am going up there tomorrow to help her move. I am in that "state" of adulthood, where I am helping friends plan weddings and help them with their kids. Yeah yeah, I am still single but that's fine with me actually. Adulthood has woken me up to some stuff these past few days that I really never considered. Like how crazy my life is going to be this fall. Anyways.... I have something brewing that I am kind of excited and nervous about. It's something I've done before and I am not going to lie, I was just as nervous and excited then. I won't go into it on here until I take care of some things first but just be praying for me while I jump into this "game" again. There's a lot I need to do to make this game easier for me to play so I'm scared lol.
Second of all... I went to the ENT. I had to wait 1 hour 20 minutes to see him but then I found out in the end that I have to have "surgery". And really it's not surgery but we have to consider it that since they are putting me under so that my muscles will be fully relaxed. It looks like my TMJ is hurting because my jaw is dislocated and I have open bite disorder. Mine is not as bad as some of the cases I saw when I was researching it but now that he has pointed it out to me it makes sense, my front top teeth do not touch my front bottom teeth, at all. So, he's going to put me under on July 30th (thank goodness dad is coming up here to be at the hospital with me, I am kind of grumpy when I am put under) and pop my jaw back into place so he can fit me for an appliance that will go in my mouth to fix the open bite. Now, the one thing this has me wondering is how am I going to look after this is done? I mean will I improve my looks or will it make me look odd. I am kind of scared for that but I have to realize that I can not continue to live on pain pills because of TMJ pain. Funny how I battled breast cancer without flinching (okay, maybe a little) but something like TMJ sends me straight to the ER. Hopefully this fixes a lot of issues and I can continue to work on my outward appearance.
Speaking of which... I still haven't weighed myself. I think I am going to have to break down and buy a scale for the apartment. I had one but the mover broke it soooo I need a new one. Maybe that'll be a stop I make in Greenville tomorrow so I can update you guys with my weight on Saturday. I went and bought groceries and bought more at home stuff though Chick Fil A is still tempting me. And the other problem I am having is I am hungry coming home from work so I stop at Wendy's or Jack in the Box (mmm Sausage Crossiant). I have been without Dr. Pepper in my apartment for a couple of days now so I am proud of that fact even if I have replaced it with Raspberry Lemonaide (whoops!).
Anyways, that's all for now. Hope everyone is well. More to come on this new "adventure" in my life soon :).
Brenda
Second of all... I went to the ENT. I had to wait 1 hour 20 minutes to see him but then I found out in the end that I have to have "surgery". And really it's not surgery but we have to consider it that since they are putting me under so that my muscles will be fully relaxed. It looks like my TMJ is hurting because my jaw is dislocated and I have open bite disorder. Mine is not as bad as some of the cases I saw when I was researching it but now that he has pointed it out to me it makes sense, my front top teeth do not touch my front bottom teeth, at all. So, he's going to put me under on July 30th (thank goodness dad is coming up here to be at the hospital with me, I am kind of grumpy when I am put under) and pop my jaw back into place so he can fit me for an appliance that will go in my mouth to fix the open bite. Now, the one thing this has me wondering is how am I going to look after this is done? I mean will I improve my looks or will it make me look odd. I am kind of scared for that but I have to realize that I can not continue to live on pain pills because of TMJ pain. Funny how I battled breast cancer without flinching (okay, maybe a little) but something like TMJ sends me straight to the ER. Hopefully this fixes a lot of issues and I can continue to work on my outward appearance.
Speaking of which... I still haven't weighed myself. I think I am going to have to break down and buy a scale for the apartment. I had one but the mover broke it soooo I need a new one. Maybe that'll be a stop I make in Greenville tomorrow so I can update you guys with my weight on Saturday. I went and bought groceries and bought more at home stuff though Chick Fil A is still tempting me. And the other problem I am having is I am hungry coming home from work so I stop at Wendy's or Jack in the Box (mmm Sausage Crossiant). I have been without Dr. Pepper in my apartment for a couple of days now so I am proud of that fact even if I have replaced it with Raspberry Lemonaide (whoops!).
Anyways, that's all for now. Hope everyone is well. More to come on this new "adventure" in my life soon :).
Brenda
Friday, July 9, 2010
What a week!
So I am so so sorry I haven't updated all week, it's been a bit of a crazy one. Well, in some ways that is. I've also been using this week to kind of relax and recharge since it's my one week off from my summer classes and I am not doing so hot in one of my classes so I was hoping I could regroup this week. Starting tonight I am going to catch up in that class and study for my mid-term in the other one. I can't believe I am this close to my General Studies Associate. But I have to say, I am starting to get really anxious and ready for this fall. My life is going to change and is headed on a completely different path, a path that could make or break me and that my friends is exciting. I am nervous because my life is going to be crazy and the stress is already causing me a few health issues but I only have to do this for 2 years and then it's a little bit of nursing school, and after that, my degrees (except my master's) aren't as involved. I am also starting to look into the housing market and that's been pretty awesome. The problem is, a lot of houses here around this area have a few issues like no Central A/C and heating (that's a deal breaker) and wood paneling. Yes, I know I could paint it but it's not very energy efficient and where there's wood paneling there's also usually old insulation so I'd have to tear down the walls, put new insulation in and drywall the house.
So how's the challenge? Well, I can't weigh myself until Sunday morning so I'm not 100% yet. I've been doing a little better with my snacking, now it's just breaking my habit of Chick Fil A lol. I'm doing more snacking with grapes and today snacking on those throughout the day has actually kept me full except for getting chick fil a for lunch since it was free food day (yep, I dressed up like a cow lol!). I went grocery shopping today and actually bought more baked stuff and things I can make at home to keep me from falling into the temptation of going out to eat. It's just so hard eatting healthy on a college student's budget and with my time limitations. I went to the gym on Saturday and did a lot of cardio. I've been kind of limited on doing anything physical this week since I've had a health issue....
Looks like I have TMJ syndrome which means my Temporomandibular Joint (your jaw joint) on my left side is inflammed and the muscles are unhappy for some reason. I've had joint pain in that area for about 2 weeks but coming home from July 4th with Karla and Kimbra and the gang I had extreme pain. I got home, put some Orajel on the area and took some pain meds and finally got to bed about 5:30am. Well, 12 hours later I was back in pain so I headed into the ER. They couldn't do much except give me an anti-inflammatory medicine and refer me to my ENT so it looks like I'll be seeing my doctor who did my tonsilectomy last year on Tuesday. I had the MRI to check out the tissues and bones today. So let's keep our fingers crossed it's as simple as giving me a stint or mouthguard to wear when I sleep.
Anyways, the puppy dog is in a super sweet mood so if you made it through this entire post yay for you! It was long, I know. Love you guys!
Brenda
So how's the challenge? Well, I can't weigh myself until Sunday morning so I'm not 100% yet. I've been doing a little better with my snacking, now it's just breaking my habit of Chick Fil A lol. I'm doing more snacking with grapes and today snacking on those throughout the day has actually kept me full except for getting chick fil a for lunch since it was free food day (yep, I dressed up like a cow lol!). I went grocery shopping today and actually bought more baked stuff and things I can make at home to keep me from falling into the temptation of going out to eat. It's just so hard eatting healthy on a college student's budget and with my time limitations. I went to the gym on Saturday and did a lot of cardio. I've been kind of limited on doing anything physical this week since I've had a health issue....
Looks like I have TMJ syndrome which means my Temporomandibular Joint (your jaw joint) on my left side is inflammed and the muscles are unhappy for some reason. I've had joint pain in that area for about 2 weeks but coming home from July 4th with Karla and Kimbra and the gang I had extreme pain. I got home, put some Orajel on the area and took some pain meds and finally got to bed about 5:30am. Well, 12 hours later I was back in pain so I headed into the ER. They couldn't do much except give me an anti-inflammatory medicine and refer me to my ENT so it looks like I'll be seeing my doctor who did my tonsilectomy last year on Tuesday. I had the MRI to check out the tissues and bones today. So let's keep our fingers crossed it's as simple as giving me a stint or mouthguard to wear when I sleep.
Anyways, the puppy dog is in a super sweet mood so if you made it through this entire post yay for you! It was long, I know. Love you guys!
Brenda
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 1 - Purge
So I am not going to lie, I have guilty pleasures. Ice Cream, Popcorn and sweets are key to that so today I did my purge. I had a bowl of popcorn during the movie, made some cookies to share and ate a few... and now tomorrow I can get started back on eating healthy. Now I am still going to eat those "guilt" foods but it's all about proportion size. For example, tomorrow at lunch I will probably make me a tombstone pizza (the staple of a college student's diet). At one point, I could eat 3/4ths of that. I'll be lucky to eat 2 slices. I am going to start by replacing my ice cream snacking with yogurt (Yoplait light Strawberry/Banana to be exact), my popcorn snacking with grapes while they're in season and my sweets with ONE york pattie mint when I am craving.
So here we go... I am also going to Gold's tomorrow to start my new membership there. I am so excited because I have a new AWESOME cardio song (I like things I can move to and dance to). David Rush - Shooting Star. So I am looking forward to putting that as my PowerSong on Nike+
So Day 1: 22lbs to go.
What is my reward in this? Well, there's a key number I weigh more than right now. I hate that number and can't wait to get below it. Well, when I get to my goal of 22lbs, I will be 6lbs under that number. I am not planning on stopping there. According to the paperwork I got today from my fire department physical I need to lose 47lbs to be at my ideal weight. I'd like to lose about 55. What stinks about being tall (I'm 5'8") is my ideal number is a bit high but... I can get below it a little bit :).
Thanks to all my friends who have joined me in this challenge. I am looking forward to doing it with you guys and I am SO lucky to have you guys as a support system. I've actually cancelled my appts with some of the specialists (except the cardiologist) until after I get all the weight lost to see if that improves some of the issues I am having like my knee. :D
Brenda
So here we go... I am also going to Gold's tomorrow to start my new membership there. I am so excited because I have a new AWESOME cardio song (I like things I can move to and dance to). David Rush - Shooting Star. So I am looking forward to putting that as my PowerSong on Nike+
So Day 1: 22lbs to go.
What is my reward in this? Well, there's a key number I weigh more than right now. I hate that number and can't wait to get below it. Well, when I get to my goal of 22lbs, I will be 6lbs under that number. I am not planning on stopping there. According to the paperwork I got today from my fire department physical I need to lose 47lbs to be at my ideal weight. I'd like to lose about 55. What stinks about being tall (I'm 5'8") is my ideal number is a bit high but... I can get below it a little bit :).
Thanks to all my friends who have joined me in this challenge. I am looking forward to doing it with you guys and I am SO lucky to have you guys as a support system. I've actually cancelled my appts with some of the specialists (except the cardiologist) until after I get all the weight lost to see if that improves some of the issues I am having like my knee. :D
Brenda
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Happy Birthday to me...
So, I found out that a lot of what's aching and hurting is caused by my weight. Surprise surprise right? No, I am not on the overly obese side but I do have some pounds to shed. So... I've decided that I am stopping all of this figuring out how to fix what's wrong with me through surgery and doctor's appointments and get to the heart of the matter... losing weight.
So tonight I am challenging myself, 22lbs before my 22nd birthday (October 18th) and I invite my fellow bloggers to join me. And if you join me, what are you doing to lose weight? I'll be working out at Gold's since I am having to cancel my work gym membership due to the distance.
So day one... 22lbs to go...
Let the fun begin :)
Brenda
So tonight I am challenging myself, 22lbs before my 22nd birthday (October 18th) and I invite my fellow bloggers to join me. And if you join me, what are you doing to lose weight? I'll be working out at Gold's since I am having to cancel my work gym membership due to the distance.
So day one... 22lbs to go...
Let the fun begin :)
Brenda
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A big town girl, with a small town heart...
Tonight, I had to run up to the fire department (every other day I go up there to check our Thermal Imaging Camera's battery because they like to completely drain out quickly) to do something and was driving home from the FD since I stopped on my way home from work. I don't know how I did it in Greenville. Now don't get me wrong. I totally miss being 5 minutes from work and 10 minutes from school and next semester is going to be rough since this will be my schedule:
Sunday: Work @ the hospital 9-5:30
Monday: Class @ GTC - 9-12:40, study in the library and then straight to work from 3-11:30.
Tuesday: Work @ the hospital 3-11:30
Wednesday: Same as Monday
Thursday: Same as Tuesday
Friday: Class Only @ GTC 9-12:40, come home for a nap lol
Saturday: FREEDOM!
And lets not forget, on top of this, I have my volunteer firefighter duties. Now, I know some of you might be concerned for Bella. She's going to be fine actually, she's getting a doggie roommate and my new (and improved!) roommate are going to work out helping each other with our dogs since we're both busy. But truly, as I drove through __(insert town I live in here)__ tonight, and it was so peaceful as most people aren't insane like me and work 2nd shift... I truly realized that I was home. Which is strange, since if you know me I was born and raised in a suburb in the smack middle of two cities known for their size. Dallas and Ft. Worth. So as I said, when I moved out to Greenville, I thought I'd feel right at home, but not at all. I was miserable there and only longed to return "home" to the small town. My Fire Department is here, I know a lot of people here, Clemson is nearby, and I have everything I need. I have a chick-fil-a, wal-mart, gas station and grocery store. Yep! Good to go!
So all in all, I might be a city girl deep inside... but at heart, this girl has gone country ;).
<3 B
Sunday: Work @ the hospital 9-5:30
Monday: Class @ GTC - 9-12:40, study in the library and then straight to work from 3-11:30.
Tuesday: Work @ the hospital 3-11:30
Wednesday: Same as Monday
Thursday: Same as Tuesday
Friday: Class Only @ GTC 9-12:40, come home for a nap lol
Saturday: FREEDOM!
And lets not forget, on top of this, I have my volunteer firefighter duties. Now, I know some of you might be concerned for Bella. She's going to be fine actually, she's getting a doggie roommate and my new (and improved!) roommate are going to work out helping each other with our dogs since we're both busy. But truly, as I drove through __(insert town I live in here)__ tonight, and it was so peaceful as most people aren't insane like me and work 2nd shift... I truly realized that I was home. Which is strange, since if you know me I was born and raised in a suburb in the smack middle of two cities known for their size. Dallas and Ft. Worth. So as I said, when I moved out to Greenville, I thought I'd feel right at home, but not at all. I was miserable there and only longed to return "home" to the small town. My Fire Department is here, I know a lot of people here, Clemson is nearby, and I have everything I need. I have a chick-fil-a, wal-mart, gas station and grocery store. Yep! Good to go!
So all in all, I might be a city girl deep inside... but at heart, this girl has gone country ;).
<3 B
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