Book #9

Did you know that there are 8 books of Mary Poppins? First one was written in the 1930's, last in the 1970's. All by the same author. I learned this when I decided to read it. I picked this book because I started a book club. My book club has a theme "Cultures". Each month we are going to read a book from a different culture. Mary Poppins was Brittish (we had a tea party with tea, scones, and cookies). Next month is "The Help" and we are gonna have fried chicken, biscuits, corn souffle, collard greens, pecan pie, and the like. And, yes, almost every decision I make in life revolves around food....yum!

Another reason we picked Mary Poppins is because its non-exclusionary. It's only 103 pages and people who don't like to read wouldn't struggle with it, or they could still come to our book club without reading it because they could comment on the movie.

As with all books, the movie is not much like the book. But, sadly enough, in all the worst ways. The book didn't flow very well from chapter to chapter. Interestingly enough though, all the chapters ended with "...". There was no chimney sweeping (sadness). No super-calla-fradgalistic-expiala-dosious. There was a bird lady, but she didn't sing, she just called out. There were other parts that were fun, like the pliedes star that came out of the sky to do her christmas shopping. And the chapter about the dog, Andrew. Otherwise, I think the best parts of the book were included in the movie. Mary Poppins is also much harsher in the book. Perhaps it is because no matter how stern she is, Julie Andrews always has a sweetness about her. Overall, I would not likely read the book again, or any of the subsequent books. It is probably an ok book to read to your kids, especially as each chapter begins a new story so you can read a chapter a night. Perhaps it did not keep my attention because it is a child's story and I don't have the imagination for it anymore. I assume I lost that special quality when I got my teeth, just as Barbara and John (the twins that are in the book but not in the movie) did (you'll have to read it if you want to know more about that).

The next book club book: The Help. Yes, I picked this one based on food too (fried chicken, biscuits, corn souffle, pecan/peach pie, collard greens...yum).

Happy Easter

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Love, the Cupcake Chicks and Me!

really nothing new to report

I haven't blogged in a while...so I decided I would blog today. But really, there is nothing new to report. I am still plugging away at my job here in Gilbert, AZ. I am enjoying it for the most part (the only thing I would enjoy more at this point is to be able to make my paycheck without really having to work...if I figure it out, I'll be sure to post the steps of how I made it possible). My job treats me well. I got a decent raise after 7 months of working there...yay! I feel really appreciated and really blessed.

I didn't post anything after General Conference. I really liked most of the talks. I did miss Elder Holland's talk...I fell asleep during it. :( But, the other talks I was able to maintain my alert state. I loved Loved LOVED Elder Scott's talk. Not only because he told the boys to get in gear and start finding wives (between his talk and Pres Monson's talk perhaps I'll be able to find me a husband, hehe). I also was very touched by his story of the tender moment he shared with his young son before he had passed away, and then his wife following the death of their son. It made me cry. I was a little disappointed though because Elder Eyring (who is one of my FAVORITE speakers) who always cries in his talks, did not cry! I was a little taken back by it. But, no worries, I'll move on. Also, Elder Richards, he was a surgeon at LDS hospital, and, when he got his knee surgery I happened to be his nurse! Crazy, huh? especially cuz I was a cardiac nurse. I had been pulled to another floor as my floor was over staffed. Leave it to those crazy people to put a nurse who is not familiar with that stuff to take care of a surgeon!!! But, it all worked out ok.

Also, one of the best home teachers I've ever had turned 31 recently and had to leave the ward. He was the coolest guy and I miss him dearly. He did a lot to push me to become a better person. He is a great example to me of a spiritual giant and I want to learn to love the scriptures as he has. He's amazing.

I went to the temple for the 1st time by myself recently. It was great up until the time at the veil. I was being asked questions, and I was on top of answering them (ie not requiring much coaching) when the veil worker whispered a "tip" in my ear, as the guy was asking a question....It through me for a loop! I lost my train of thought. I couldn't remember where I was in the questioning or what I was supposed to say. I was so upset with the veil worker. I had to have her coach me through the rest of it from there on out. Next time, I will try not to be so easily frustrated.

When I look at my life I feel truly blessed. I do have my struggles. One particular one that I am really struggling with right now, but I can overcome, and I will eventually overcome. I will put my trust in the Lord and try to stay on the straight and narrow.

sicky sicky, sickness

This past week I have been in recovery...recovery from a stomach flu. It was horrible. It came on so abruptly, but sneakily. I felt fine Sunday. I went about my day as usual. I even got in a great Sunday nap, which is hard for me to do as I have church from 12:00-15:00, prime napping time. After my nice nap I went to game night (this is a usual Sunday evening occurrence). On the way I could tell my stomach wasn't happy. At game night I did ok. There was one time that I eyed the bathroom and thought "if I could just go in there and puke, I'll be ok". But, that is always a dangerous thing because who knows what sort of chaos that will bring about. And, it was close enough to the majority of the gaming that people would have definitely heard &/or suspected something. So, I just laid low. On the way home, I mentioned to my roommate that I wasn't feeling well, but based on those feelings, I would have never anticipated my night.

I was having episodes of indigestion and vomiting every 1-1.5 hours. I ended up in the bathroom 7-8 times that night. I almost passed out once and afterward spent about 10min on the cool bathroom tile waiting for my head to stop spinning so I could get up and drink something to rehydrate myself (which I later vomited). It was horrible! - and, luckily for you guys, and me, I didn't take pictures! You know your a crazy blogger when...hehe

But, speaking of crazy, I went to work the next day! I know...I'm nuts. I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed, but still sick. I moved very slowly that morning so as not to wake the easily upset monster in my abdomen. I texted my home teacher to ask for a blessing. He told me I could come right on over. When I got to his house I burst into tears. He is such an awesome guy, and had no problem telling me that I probably shouldn't be going into work. But, he gave me a blessing anyway. My patriarchal blessing tells me that if I become sick, I will be able to receive a blessing and become well. I know that the Lord knew that I was counting on this because my home teacher said specifically in the blessing: I am being inhibited from telling you that you will be healed immediately from this, rather, I bless you that you will be smart enough to listen to your body and treat it how you know you should. This was rotten. It made me cry even more! But, I still thanked him and walked slowly to my car, and drove on to work.

At work, I was moving slowly. I spoke over the phone with the MD I was working with that day and gave him a heads up that I wasn't feeling so hot and might bail early. After I had seen the new consults and 4 other old patients, we met up to review things (around 11:30). Immediately when he saw me he said, "you look sick, you need to go home". So, I did. I went home, I took a phenergan (anti-nausea that will make you sleepy too) and slept for 5 hours. I got up, went to FHE, and came home and slept again. It was beautiful.

The next day I was feeling 85% better. I went to work, ate a semi-normal lunch (I skipped breakfast cuz I was just not feeling it). I think I started to eat solids too soon. I didn't throw up again after I went into work on Monday (although I did feel it strong about 3 times this week and did give it a good effort). I keep getting hungry, and I'll eat, but then afterwards I feel nauseated and I have also been burping TONS this week. I think I had a viral gastroenteritis (stomach/small bowel infection with a virus) which caused an ileus (when part of your stomach/small bowel moves much slower/stops moving because of surgery, or, in my case, infection).

I'm hoping I'm back to normal this next week. I took a week off from the gym last week because I didn't want to upset the monster, but I'm trying to train for a half-marathon. I can't take too much time off because then I will lose all my progress. But I'm optimistic! I'm feeling 98% better today. I think a good nights sleep tonight will be what I need for the other 2%...then...P90 in the AM! Bring it! :)

next week: one major goal accomplished

Disneyland!

Sorry for not posting last week. We got home from California at 7pm, and then there was the ritual Sunday Evening Single's ward game night. But, now you can see all my fun adventures at Disneyland. These pictures are in no particular order.

Space mountain. The first ride we went on. Me and Stacey (the girl next to me) don't like roller coaster rides. I asked a couple of the boys what to expect and they freaked me out. They told me that it only went upside down 3-4 times, there was one loopdy-loop in it, etc. I was all sorts of scared. Come to find out, they lied! They told me the look of terror on my face as they were describing it was worth the eternal damnation. Oh well. It was still fun...despite my look of horror on the ride. You see me...I'm right behind the girl in pink. I do not really look like I'm enjoying myself. Its cuz I'm anticipating the loopdy-loop! hehe :)

This was an awful ride too. Tower of Terror. I've been on the rocket ride on top of the Stratosphere in Vegas. It was better than this. Reason: It is predictable. You go up and down, gradually getting less high until its time to stop. This ride, you go up a floor, and down, two, then up 5, then down 1, then through the roof, then down to the first floor. It was horrifying! I'm in the back row behind the guy in the darker blue, and next to the kid in the light blue. Yes, once again, horror on my face. There were handles next to our seats to grab hold during the fall if you so chose. That was an option I chose. My left hand found the handle no problem. My right hand found my friends leg and grabbed on for dear life. I was mildly afraid I gave him bruises I was holding so tight. Oh well...what do ya do? Come to think of it, he was one of the boys that told me the space mountain lie...he deserved a bruise or two!

My friends Cameron and Amy on the Toy Story ride. Lots of fun!

From the back: Ami & Kimberly (you can't really see them very well), Kevin and Dusty (what a cute couple they make), CJ & Becky (Me), and Seth & Amy (Amy's cut off). This is on the Matterhorn.

Post space mountain...walking it out! L to R: Dusty (Maroon shirt), CJ, Kevin, Cameron, Becky, Kimberly, Ami.

Waiting to get our tickets! CJ, Dusty, Kimberly, Kevin, & I in my awesome Lexus. I've had some fun times in this car. On this trip my odometer reached: 202020. Kinda a milestone I think.

It was after dark and freezing. We went to the bug's world area and found a warm spot underground in the bug's life movie. It was so nice. Love our awesome glasses?

Seth, Stacey, Amy, Kimberly, Becky, Cameron

Amy, Ami, Cameron on the Rapid's ride. We got SOAKED!

Our raft was over a gusher as it went off. We could hear it rumbling under our feet and then bam! It really got Ami, as you can see. Awesomeness! Even more awesome was that I caught it on my camera!!

Yeah, I got a good soaking too. This is CJ and I.

This is on the tea cup ride. Kimberly, Cameron, and I. Of all the rides I went on as a child, I remember, the tea cup, the carousel, and the dumbo ride. Of those, we only did the tea cups.

This is our whole group. Becky, Dusty, Kimberly, Kevin, Ami, Stacy, CJ, Seth, Cameron, and Amy. 10 people, 2 cars. We were packed, but had an awesome time! I can't wait to plan our next trip!

sans-facebook

I almost forgot to blog today. Its not been a spectacularly amazing day, just full of stuff that made me forget. I was able to go to North Phoenix and see one of my high-school friends bless her first baby. That was awesome! But, I always forget how freaking far the drive to North Phoenix is. This is the friend that convinced me to look for a job down here. I found one in Gilbert and told her and she was like, "awesome! That's only an hour away!" It's so crazy! I spent 2 hours on the road today. But, its worth it to support friends in such a good cause. And its the first time I saw her baby, who is such a cute big little man. Both she and her husband are ~6+ feet tall and so this little 2 month old is the size of a 4 month old. But super cute! :)

One quick update too: I am eating normal now. I don't have the appetite for white flour products I used to have. I still try to eat a salad for lunch everyday. And sugar gives me a headache every time I eat it. I should stop eating it right? But, when I go to someone's house for a party (or like today at break-the-fast) I can't help myself...those cinnamon rolls are too tempting. Alas...headache. Thank goodness for tylenol/ibuprofen/aspirin/etc. :)

So, onto my week without facebook. It actually wasn't this last week. It was the week before that. It was harder than I thought it would be. I'm not on facebook a lot...probably about an hour total all week. But, I will check it a lot to keep up with what people are doing. For example: when I'm at work and rounding on patients in the hospital. If I'm on a particular floor to see a patient and that patient is occupied for a min (in the bathroom, with a chaplain, etc) I would check facebook on my smartphone until I could go in. This was more to occupy my mind. When I had committed to no facebook, I got really antsy at these times. But, I solved my problem and downloaded a book onto my phone. Now I perused the pages of my book instead of facebook. This is probably a better activity for my mind too.

One of the funniest things I found with my sans-facebook time was I think a lot in "status updates". Looking back at my postings on facebook, I don't really post a lot of status updates. However, it seemed I was always thinking in terms of what I was doing and how I could make it sound interesting to other people on an update. (and of course, now I can't think of an example! ha!) I still think I will try to spend less time over all on facebook. I really have more important things to do with my time. But it is a great way to keep in touch with old friends. That is the blessing of Facebook. So, even though I have my moments of bashing on it, I will continue to use it for the time being.

I want to tell you all who read this blog one thing: Thank you! Even if you don't post comments, that doesn't really matter all that much to me. I try to read all your blogs too, and I hardly ever post. But I still love you all! :)

Preview of next week: The HAPPIEST place on Earth: DISNEYLAND!!!!