Absentee ballot

Sorry kids, I'm back. You know how you always think you'll get around to writing that blog? After you do your homework, housework, social obligations and wants, plus whatever the hell else pops up... Yeah, that stuff. So anyway, I'm back. I missed you too.

Updates:

In September I became an EMT-B. Huzzah! Surprisingly, you cannot do a lot. I think that my 11 year old cousin could do my job with no problem. Totally explaining why everyone wants you to be a medic.
I have a part-time job working events here in the city. You've seen the Colts game pictures. Who has the best part-time job available? Me. Sometimes it is boring, and yes, not all my coworkers are full of hearts and rainbows, but whose job doesn't entail that as well too? So, no complaints.
Still cleaning houses as the other part-time gig. That will be over in May, right around my 3rd year anniversary. At some point you get enough of dirty toilets, pet hair, and the smell of Windex, and make the decision that its time to move on. I am extremely grateful for the job having lasted and provided income this long. School would have been impossible without it. However, if I see one more trashcan overflowing with Diet Coke cans and used Kleenex there could possibly be a clocktower and sniper rifle in my future.

This semester has brought on a whole new universe of difficult. Chemistry, Political Science, Physical Science, and Fire Science have been keeping me busy for a month with 3 more to go. I love the classes, especially my fire class, but I miss sleeping too. I will admit that Wednesday is now my favorite day of the week. On hump day I get to walk into a class where I'm the only girl, learn about the best job on the planet (firefighting), and prove that I can learn, adapt, and have a burning passion to be a part of a community of leaders, caretakers, friends, brothers and sisters, mentors, and much, much more. Its scary as hell, and the most exciting thing I've ever taken part of at the same time.

I'm still doing Crossfit. Love it. Recommend it to anyone. Our crew just moved in to a new facility. No more ragtag garage misfits. I'll miss the close quarters and small classes, but I'm very proud of our coaches growing business.
My efforts to get in shape have been relatively steady, but the new focus is diet. I know how to eat right, its the consistency that is lacking. Lately I've been reading up on Paleo and The Primal Blueprint, both excellent lifestyles that require discipline and commitment. More to follow on my dealings with food...

I'd love to expand and talk about more things, but at the moment I'm in need of a nap, so until next time, I hope you are well, thank you for being my friend.

Losing Time

I always think of Pink Floyd when I think about the passage of time, because really...who said it better?
Looking in the mirror the other day, I realized that I was starting to look older, and it honestly scared the bejeesus out of me. When you're in your early to mid-twenties its no big deal. You go out and party, stay up all night, sleep a couple hours, then head on into work like its nothing. Now, if I don't get at least six hours I'm worthless. If I have more than 4 drinks I can barely function the next day. Sad? Yes. Part of life? I assume so. It doesn't mean I have to like it.
This year has been a strange one though. Lots of changes. For one, I am stopping with the smoking. After damn near 14 years of it, I quit. That's no easy task. Not only do you want to make out with every smoker you see, sucking every bit of nicotine off their lips, but you feel like a twitchy crack addict when you're in a bar. But then again, the smell of smoke is so disgusting when you're not used to it. A very confusing drug to quit. I'll confess now that I've cheated here and there, every time when I've been drinking. For the most part though, there have been no cancer sticks for almost 3 months now. Which leads to the second big change....
Crossfit. Hoo-boy, is that a bitch and a half. I'll be eternally grateful to El Supremo for suggesting it, but I also curse his name every time I do a clean and jerk. Crossfit is addictive. Perhaps that's what I've replaced my cigarette addiction with, an exercise addiction. I feel stong, I'm running, can you believe it? I'm fucking running. Who knew it was possible? My coaches rock. The other people I workout with rock. Its expensive as fuck, but totally worth it. And I'll be sure to thank Crossfit after I make my first grab, I'm sure the poor civilian I pull out will be grateful they kicked my ass everyday too.

Thus Far.

I think as you get older time takes on a different quality. It used to be blocked for us by school and summer, now we work, we have kids, we have a significant other, and perhaps we are still going to school. So time just blends together and morphs into this continuous progression of days. Then you look back and half the year is gone, yet you don't even remember what you did for New Year's Eve. Where to start then?
Maybe the past year isn't worth thinking about though. Nothing good really happened. I'd say a month of last year was good. The rest is meh. I'm trying to do a highlight reel in my head, unfortunately my memory has never been the best.
The part that really stands out is California and Kerry. Now that was fun. I'd even go as far to say the best vacation I ever had. Even after waking up sick the day before take-off, then missing my flight, then feeling gross and tired after flying...seeing him again made me not care one bit about what it took to get out there. Meeting Marge and Trista was such a treat, they are fabulous women for sure. Hopefully on the next trip I can see them again. Once this degree is accomplished there will be some serious moving considerations going on as well. You'd think I'd get sick of Cali after 4 trips in a couple years, but the opposite happens. I love it more and more each time. We shall see.
Let's not forget the opposite coast. My Tracey and Sam...and New York! What a town. Miles of sprawling city, a lit up grid of history. I don't think I've ever used so many means of transport in one week. Plane, cab, subway, bus, walking... and the food! I'll never eat lamb shank again, nothing can beat that birthday meal. It doesn't hurt that I had fabulous hosts. The most warm and friendly couple on the planet. Yet another place I cannot wait to venture back to.
This certainly has been the year to meet people. And who would I love to party with again? Chrissa. That girl is frickin awesome in every way. Not only did I get to meet Here We Go Magic because of her, but I also got to have breakfast with them (and makeout with the guitarist). Shhh! I see summer trips to Michigan in my future.

School. Hmmmm.
The summer session starts next Monday, smack dab on my 27th birthday. Three nights a week, four hours a pop, for ten weeks. At then end of it, I hope to hold my EMT certification high in the air for all to see. I won't lie, I'm nervous as hell. Shakin in my boots even. Not only do I have to learn how to keep people alive to the best of my skills and ability every time I go out on a run, I have to learn how to mentally take care of them. How to hold my compassion tight to my chest and not let the burnout slip in. Because it would be a monstrous shame to go to school for 4 years only to throw in the towel after the next 4. It happens though. You see enough death and abuse, hear enough lies and whining, it'll get to you. Eat at your soul until you don't see a patient, you see a chore. Then you're done until you can get your mind right. Or you move on.
Lately I think about what I'm up against more and more. I look at myself, wondering how in the heck I've not ended up in an ambulance yet with all the moronic decisions that have been made in the past. Will I end up somewhere busy? Scary? Boring? Will my coworkers be friendly? Will they be good mentors? I think my ultimate fear is being presented that golden moment where my actions can save or kill someone...and doing the wrong thing. Coping is part of the job to be sure. How do you cope with killing someone, albeit on accident?
Next week I start volunteering for Harbor Light Hospice. I think it will be a good way to development my patient care skills and get used to initiating a rapport with someone who is sick or injured. Plus, hospice is a wonderful service. End of life care is severely underrated and managed in this country. We do so much to extend life as far as possible, but there are points where you have to say enough and let nature take course. My grandfather, rest his soul, was dying of colon cancer and entered hospice when I was 18. Though his stay was brief, it truly helped my family get through that time and cope the best we could. Perhaps this is a way for me to give back a little.

So the future, what will it hold? Who knows, but I do know that right now, life is good. Every day that I wake up is good. Every single breath I take is good. I pity those who cannot appreciate it. It took me a long while to realize that life is short, that I'm not immortal. Once you come to grips with the fact you will die someday everything tastes a little sweeter, no?

So it Begins.

I used to do this all the time on Myspace. Blogging is something that you can leave and go back to so easily, like that exboyfriend you hate but is really good in the sack. I don't know why I'm coming back now, perhaps the writing bug has bitten or perhaps I just need a release and I'm too lazy to write things by hand anymore. The days of the diary are gone, thank you internet. Not that I wouldn't be excited to go buy my little Hello Kitty journal, but it would sit on my dresser and collect dust, plus...how would I share my oh so important thoughts with the planet?
We'll see how this goes, whether it turns into something worthwhile. If nothing else, I can amuse you all with my various day to day mistakes, and we can rejoice when I get down to accomplishing something besides qualifying for yet another student loan.
The BBKF is back.