Monday, June 30, 2008
TODAY's Earth Sheep Horoscope
Your ambitions will be great but well justified; make an attack on what's dearest to your heart in order to achieve your professional projects at the fastest. There'll be clouds over your love affairs; beware of possessiveness and tyranny. Risk of a break of the thighbone: be watchful in your movements. Without forgoing your outdoor life, devote a little more time to your family; this is important.
It's Mental
(meaning, "A Little Crazy" and "Willpower" at the same time)
On a whim, I signed up for the Long Beach Half Marathon, which is going to be held October 12. I did the Honolulu Marathon in 2002, so I'm not new to the marathon training regiment. However, this time I don't have a training partner or group. Instead, I have my wits and a training program built into the nike.com website. It's pretty neat. I enter my training level, (Beginning, Intermediate 1 or 2, or Advanced). I chose Intermediate 1 because I need to improve my time. The program then maps out and details when I should do runs, with how much Perceived Exertion, what distances, etc. The gimmick is that I have to buy something that allows me to sync my runs into the computer so I can keep track of my progress. Eh! I needed one anyway. And I have to get a new pair of shoes since I've been running so much. I see these things as investments in my personal health--what a concept!
What's this mean for my diet? Cutting back and/or cutting out alcohol, caffeine, junk food, fast food, empty carbs. Consciously focused on intake of water, veggies, lean protein, and water again--of course, all of this I should be doing anyway.
Why in the world would I do this? You ask? I operate best when I have a goal. Fitness goals and physical challenges keep me focused and I'm looking forward to testing my mettle. Wish me luck.
On a whim, I signed up for the Long Beach Half Marathon, which is going to be held October 12. I did the Honolulu Marathon in 2002, so I'm not new to the marathon training regiment. However, this time I don't have a training partner or group. Instead, I have my wits and a training program built into the nike.com website. It's pretty neat. I enter my training level, (Beginning, Intermediate 1 or 2, or Advanced). I chose Intermediate 1 because I need to improve my time. The program then maps out and details when I should do runs, with how much Perceived Exertion, what distances, etc. The gimmick is that I have to buy something that allows me to sync my runs into the computer so I can keep track of my progress. Eh! I needed one anyway. And I have to get a new pair of shoes since I've been running so much. I see these things as investments in my personal health--what a concept!
What's this mean for my diet? Cutting back and/or cutting out alcohol, caffeine, junk food, fast food, empty carbs. Consciously focused on intake of water, veggies, lean protein, and water again--of course, all of this I should be doing anyway.
Why in the world would I do this? You ask? I operate best when I have a goal. Fitness goals and physical challenges keep me focused and I'm looking forward to testing my mettle. Wish me luck.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Yo La Tengo
"Tears are in Your Eyes"
You tell me summer's here
and the time is wrong
You tell me winter's here
And your days are getting long
Tears are in your eyes
Tonight
You tell me that you haven't slept in days
You tell me sleeping only makes you tired anyway
Tears are in your eyes
Tonight
Tears are in your eyes
Every night
Although you don't beleive me, you are strong
Darkness always turns into the dawn
And you won't even remember this for long
When it ends alright
Please tell me how you know tomorrow staring at your shoes
Tears are in your eyes
Every night
Tears are in your eyes
Every night
Tears are in your eyes
Tonight
You tell me summer's here
and the time is wrong
You tell me winter's here
And your days are getting long
Tears are in your eyes
Tonight
You tell me that you haven't slept in days
You tell me sleeping only makes you tired anyway
Tears are in your eyes
Tonight
Tears are in your eyes
Every night
Although you don't beleive me, you are strong
Darkness always turns into the dawn
And you won't even remember this for long
When it ends alright
Please tell me how you know tomorrow staring at your shoes
Tears are in your eyes
Every night
Tears are in your eyes
Every night
Tears are in your eyes
Tonight
Life on the Ambulance, Vol. 1
As of this moment I have logged in about 237 hours at the private ambulance company where I work. One of the first lessons I learned in training was, "Don't make their emergency your emergency." I say that to myself each time I get a 911/fire call. Actually, only about 98% of the calls I get are on the private side--which means I'm a glorified medical taxi taking patients from hospitals to other hospitals, convalescent homes, dialysis centers, MRI offices, etc.
Everyone guesses that I am about 24-25, and are usually perplexed that little ol' me is there instead of some 6-foot white dude in his early 20's that looks like he surfs in his spare time and is on the way to becoming a Firefighter or Paramedic. When I tell them I want to be a nurse, they seem to understand. Still, a few of them still take one glance at me and tell me (and my partner), "You'd better not drop me."
As an attendant (not a driver), I get to sit in the back with the patients and talk to them (given that they are alert and oriented) as I monitor their vital signs. I've had dozens of fascinating conversations with patients. After the important medical questions, my favorite question to ask older female patients--whose husbands were in the hospital upon pick up--is, "How long have you been married?" and "What do you think is the key to a successful relationship?" I'm still collecting stories, but the common thread is Patience. There always ups and downs... how you get through those times is as important as the act itself. In between time, "Don't go to bed mad." If I get to it, I tell them a little about myself since they are offering so much of themselves. I tell them that I recently had a 6-year relationship end about 9 months ago. And they give me the same look. The wince that says, "Ouch, that much be tough." It is the same look anyone that has been in love gives me when when I tell them that.
Everyone guesses that I am about 24-25, and are usually perplexed that little ol' me is there instead of some 6-foot white dude in his early 20's that looks like he surfs in his spare time and is on the way to becoming a Firefighter or Paramedic. When I tell them I want to be a nurse, they seem to understand. Still, a few of them still take one glance at me and tell me (and my partner), "You'd better not drop me."
As an attendant (not a driver), I get to sit in the back with the patients and talk to them (given that they are alert and oriented) as I monitor their vital signs. I've had dozens of fascinating conversations with patients. After the important medical questions, my favorite question to ask older female patients--whose husbands were in the hospital upon pick up--is, "How long have you been married?" and "What do you think is the key to a successful relationship?" I'm still collecting stories, but the common thread is Patience. There always ups and downs... how you get through those times is as important as the act itself. In between time, "Don't go to bed mad." If I get to it, I tell them a little about myself since they are offering so much of themselves. I tell them that I recently had a 6-year relationship end about 9 months ago. And they give me the same look. The wince that says, "Ouch, that much be tough." It is the same look anyone that has been in love gives me when when I tell them that.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Downside, Upside
Con: It's nearly an hour-long commute to work, each way.
Pro: It's a committed hour of Morning Edition (AM) and Fresh Air (PM) that I didn't have before.
I heard two stories that got me thinking today.
A Nod to Arranged Marriage
I couldn't shake the image of a dancer and an engineer standing on opposite sides of an unfinished bridge, shouting to be heard over the roar of the fast-moving river. Not physically together but newly married and dying to communicate with each other, get to know each other, and be together. Poetic. Romantic. Inspiring.
My Stroke of Insight
This neuroanatomist's story was so compelling. Pulled me right in. She recounts her experience with her left-brain stroke/hemorrhage with such clarity and detail. Only took 8 years to remember.
I am so right-brained. No wonder left-brained people think that I'm spacey. More details about right brain vs. left brain. BUT I think I've been re-wired in order to try to function properly in the world. According to this test, I am left-brained.
Pro: It's a committed hour of Morning Edition (AM) and Fresh Air (PM) that I didn't have before.
I heard two stories that got me thinking today.
A Nod to Arranged Marriage
I couldn't shake the image of a dancer and an engineer standing on opposite sides of an unfinished bridge, shouting to be heard over the roar of the fast-moving river. Not physically together but newly married and dying to communicate with each other, get to know each other, and be together. Poetic. Romantic. Inspiring.
My Stroke of Insight
This neuroanatomist's story was so compelling. Pulled me right in. She recounts her experience with her left-brain stroke/hemorrhage with such clarity and detail. Only took 8 years to remember.
I am so right-brained. No wonder left-brained people think that I'm spacey. More details about right brain vs. left brain. BUT I think I've been re-wired in order to try to function properly in the world. According to this test, I am left-brained.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Who needs rings?
Why exchange eternity bands when you and your sweetheart can get a set of these.
How awesome is that?
How awesome is that?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Awesomeness
Thank you for the thoughtful bday gift.
I love this Flaming Lips album/cover. And a needed a new Moleskine!
Great gifts these make.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Eureka!
I spent a lovely hour this Sunday morning at a local store that sells yoga clothing. They offer free yoga classes every Sunday morning. Some of the women in this class had super amazing yoga skills: headstands and other balancing asanas/poses. So impressive. Part of me knows that they could have been planted by the store to inspire us novices to get more into it and in turn buy their clothes... so, in sum, it worked. I didn't buy anything yet, but I want to get back into a regular yoga routine.
Finally! Some centeredness in this crazy existence I have been leading for the past few months. Trying to get a job, getting my courses all planned out, my career path paved, bills paid, while staying emotionally, physically, and mentally healthy has been taxing. I finally got relief in the hour at yoga. It's been about 4-5 years since I was in a yoga class that helped me feel this way: focused, centered and in tune with myself and the world. Now I can start processing all the thoughts that have been floating around in my head. #1 thing to remember: breathe.
Though it will take some time to completely get on the ball, this morning was an awesome start.
Finally! Some centeredness in this crazy existence I have been leading for the past few months. Trying to get a job, getting my courses all planned out, my career path paved, bills paid, while staying emotionally, physically, and mentally healthy has been taxing. I finally got relief in the hour at yoga. It's been about 4-5 years since I was in a yoga class that helped me feel this way: focused, centered and in tune with myself and the world. Now I can start processing all the thoughts that have been floating around in my head. #1 thing to remember: breathe.
Though it will take some time to completely get on the ball, this morning was an awesome start.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
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