So I finished my administrative Residency last week and now I have absolutely NOTHING to do.... Of course I have to find a job, which may become a full time job in-an-of-itself. However right now I am giving myself a break. A down time for a week or two to just enjoy having nothing to do....I don't exactly know what I am going to do with my time, especially since none of my other friends have time off (sadly they have jobs... wah.... wah....).
One thing I know for sure is that I want to read - for fun not for education. My book line up consists of:
Eat, Pray, Love
Shopaholic (the first two in the series)
Blink
Outliers (maybe the tipping point)
Primal Leadership
the two Nicholas Sparks books that I bought a year a go and haven't read yet....
I also want to do this reading outside. I am a scary shade of pasty white - I mean like that homely girl white that never leaves the library... yikes! So I would like to get something of a tan while I have this time off....
Catch 22 with this goal: I am fat. The thought of putting on a bathing suit makes me want to vomit (so maybe I should think about it a lot, vomit a lot, and thus become skinny....hmmm.... JUST KIDDING - seriously JK).
So I am also do the whole no/low car thing right now too....
In addition to wanting to be able to put on a bathing suit and not make strangers point and laugh at me, I also have a beach trip to get in shape for at the end of the month. This is not just any beach trip. It is a beach trip with Michael's entire family.
side note: Michael's family consists of these beautiful, skinny girls of Lebanese heritage (so they have beautiful olive skin and dark hair). I mean no matter how much I lose (which aint gonna be that much in 3 weeks) I can't compare to them! ahhhhh!!! :0\
Anyways so that I do not gross out his entire family I must lose SOME weight and get SOME pigment in my skin.....
It may be mission impossible but hey I have nothing else to work on right now, might as well work on me! :0)
Wish me luck....seriously.....
Different note if you have any suggestions on how to better occupy my time.... please let me know! :0)
P.S. Michael was so not happy with me about the previous post! Apparently everyone doesn't "need to know that." Who doesn't like an entire post of compliments about themselves!?!? hahahhahahahhahahahhahaha
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The One with the Amazing Boyfriend....
I am sure that some of you (as in Emily because only Emily, Michael, and myself read this blog! ha ha) will find this particular blog nauseating. Mainly because I feel the need to tell you all how amazing my boyfriend is. Now you would probably think that this blog would come after a wonderfully romantic weekend where he wined and dined me and totally spoiled me (he has done this!), but this weekend is not that weekend. In fact we spent a good portion of this weekend fighting and being irritated at each other. I think the mere fact that I am still sitting at his house, still love him, and still think he is amazing is a testament to what a wonderful person he is.
I truly think there is nothing that he cannot do. He tests and challenges me everyday - yes this does sometimes drive me crazy-but it also challenges me and makes me a better person. He portrays himself as a no nonsense, tough guy, but he is truly the sweetest most compassionate person I have ever met. Seriously, I wish I were as good-hearted as he is toward every person he meets. He is strong and disciplined and keeps his morals in line where I would be weak.
Some small examples:
We went to Charleston this weekend to see his adorable niece again (it's amazing how much babies grow in just one week!).
When we got there her house was overflowing with family. However, Noah (Michael's brother-in-law and the baby's father) was called out of town for work this past Tuesday. Leaving his 2 day old daughter and wife at home! I felt so bad for him - can you imagine how sad he was to leave his new family! Moving on.... Needless to say that with all the baby commotion and Noah not being there, their lawn was un-kept and out-of-control. So Michael volunteers himself (and recruits his brother and father) to spend the day cutting their grass. Now mind you we were only there for a few hours, he was already exhausted from the drive and working all week, and was certainly not prepared or dressed to do yard work at his sister's house. But he knew it would be a great help and that Noah would much rather come home from his trip to no other chores than to oohhh and ahhh over his new baby.... I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful! :0)
Another example:
While in Charleston we left Harley out in Michael's backyard. Of course this was not a wise decision.
You see last week we planted this beautiful garden with vegetables and herbs and even put in a pretty fancy irrigation system. I was so proud of it! Even showed it off to people who came over to visit.
Well ... While Harley was alone all day while we were in Charleston, he took it upon himself to pull out most of the plants, throw most of the dirt all over the patio leaving huge holes, and even tear the irrigation system out of the ground. I WAS PISSED...... Ohhhhhh I hated that dog on Saturday night....
Like I said earlier, I honestly do not think there is anything Michael cannot do - and do well... He is an amazing cook, excellent and continuously rising through the ranks in his finance job, and he can fix/build any and everything. He even had his contractors license once.
In order to make all things right with the world Michael spent all day Sunday fixing all of Harley's (well maybe not all, but most) disasters outside. First he replaced the porch screen doors. Harley had created his own doggie door by busting through the screen. (Please keep in mind that Harley had a actual doggie door right next to the screen door but just chose not to use it.)
Then he built this elaborate gate to put in front of my/our garden to keep the dogs out. I mean it is awesome! You can remove it when you want to work in the garden or when company is over and put it right back in place afterwards. There is no way those mangy mutts can get into the garden now. I know it may not seem like much, but I was so proud and impressed with him. Its just the little things ya know...
These are just the examples from this weekend... He really does surprise/impress me almost everyday. He is such a leader, visionary, builder, provider, etc. etc. I feel so lucky right now...
(Now like I said we did spend a good portion of the weekend fighting so he's not perfect - but close! ;0 More to come on the fighting issues later.....hahahhaha)
I truly think there is nothing that he cannot do. He tests and challenges me everyday - yes this does sometimes drive me crazy-but it also challenges me and makes me a better person. He portrays himself as a no nonsense, tough guy, but he is truly the sweetest most compassionate person I have ever met. Seriously, I wish I were as good-hearted as he is toward every person he meets. He is strong and disciplined and keeps his morals in line where I would be weak.
Some small examples:
We went to Charleston this weekend to see his adorable niece again (it's amazing how much babies grow in just one week!).
When we got there her house was overflowing with family. However, Noah (Michael's brother-in-law and the baby's father) was called out of town for work this past Tuesday. Leaving his 2 day old daughter and wife at home! I felt so bad for him - can you imagine how sad he was to leave his new family! Moving on.... Needless to say that with all the baby commotion and Noah not being there, their lawn was un-kept and out-of-control. So Michael volunteers himself (and recruits his brother and father) to spend the day cutting their grass. Now mind you we were only there for a few hours, he was already exhausted from the drive and working all week, and was certainly not prepared or dressed to do yard work at his sister's house. But he knew it would be a great help and that Noah would much rather come home from his trip to no other chores than to oohhh and ahhh over his new baby.... I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful! :0)Another example:
While in Charleston we left Harley out in Michael's backyard. Of course this was not a wise decision.
You see last week we planted this beautiful garden with vegetables and herbs and even put in a pretty fancy irrigation system. I was so proud of it! Even showed it off to people who came over to visit.
Well ... While Harley was alone all day while we were in Charleston, he took it upon himself to pull out most of the plants, throw most of the dirt all over the patio leaving huge holes, and even tear the irrigation system out of the ground. I WAS PISSED...... Ohhhhhh I hated that dog on Saturday night....
Like I said earlier, I honestly do not think there is anything Michael cannot do - and do well... He is an amazing cook, excellent and continuously rising through the ranks in his finance job, and he can fix/build any and everything. He even had his contractors license once.
In order to make all things right with the world Michael spent all day Sunday fixing all of Harley's (well maybe not all, but most) disasters outside. First he replaced the porch screen doors. Harley had created his own doggie door by busting through the screen. (Please keep in mind that Harley had a actual doggie door right next to the screen door but just chose not to use it.)
Then he built this elaborate gate to put in front of my/our garden to keep the dogs out. I mean it is awesome! You can remove it when you want to work in the garden or when company is over and put it right back in place afterwards. There is no way those mangy mutts can get into the garden now. I know it may not seem like much, but I was so proud and impressed with him. Its just the little things ya know...
These are just the examples from this weekend... He really does surprise/impress me almost everyday. He is such a leader, visionary, builder, provider, etc. etc. I feel so lucky right now...
(Now like I said we did spend a good portion of the weekend fighting so he's not perfect - but close! ;0 More to come on the fighting issues later.....hahahhaha)
Monday, April 27, 2009
The One with the New Baby!
Oh my goodness…. So much has happened since I last filled you in…. Well the dogs are doing pretty good together, though every now and then we will hear these blood curdling screams from the room where Gus and Harley stay. It sounds like Harley might quite literally be trying to eat Gus! We are trying to develop a new living arrangement… TBD….
On a much different note ~ Michael is an uncle!!! It was the most amazing thing! I feel so lucky that I am dating such a wonderful person with a wonderful family that includes me in such amazing events. I was a little hesitant to allow Michael to include me in going to the hospital and being there for his niece’s birth (I mean it is a very intimate thing and sometimes people might just want family there – ya know?), but I am so grateful that they made me a part of this! Michael got the call on Saturday night about 10 pm that they had gone to the hospital and that the birth was imminent. So we jumped in the car and headed down to Charleston.
(After calling every one of my friends in my phonebook, none of which answered because it was after all 10 pm on a Saturday night, I was finally able to reach my aunt to come and take care of Gus and Harley while we were gone. I must say that I love my aunt dearly, she’s awesome, but she was not my first choice to come and take care of our beasts. For no other reason but that I spend a lot of time at Michael’s house – more than I would care for her to know. She surely knows now after being in his house and seeing my stuff everywhere (my stuff everywhere is a whole ‘nother issue….). Anyways… back to the story)
We get there at midnight and everyone is just sitting around the hospital waiting patiently and making idle chit chat. So Michael, the constant man of practicality that he is, decides it’s silly for us to just sit around the hospital and wait. He and I go to his sister and brother-in-law’s house and take a quick nap until we get “the call.” About 4:15 the call comes. We get up and rush back to the hospital. I was so glad that we got there just in time. Michael, his dad, his mom, his brother-in-law’s mom and grandmother, and myself were standing outside of the hospital room waiting and listening for the baby.
We heard her enter this world. It was amazing. It even makes me tear up now a little bit as I think about it. Her first cry. Rachael and Noah becoming parents. A new life. It all happened in that moment – 4 minutes before 5 in the morning on April 26th. She was beautiful. All 7 lbs 13 oz. and 21 inches of her. Alaina Rose Garrett. Like I said I am so grateful that Michael has such a wonderful family that would include me in this.
I keep telling Michael wait an amazing event it was. He, of course, was the proud uncle but I think was to exhausted to express the same excitement that I was… Or maybe the reality of it all hadn’t set in yet…
Prior to this I have to admit that pregnancy and child birth was all a bit “icky” and scary to me. But being there for all of that makes you really realize that it is the “miracle of life.” I just couldn’t get over it all. Amazing. I don’t consider myself a skilled writer to say the least, and this is proof. My story telling and words do not do justice to the amazing events that happened yesterday….
Meanwhile… Harley and Gus where locked in a room in Columbia during all of this, except for the few minutes when my aunt came and let them out for a few minutes and feed them. You can imagine what we came home to….
On a much different note ~ Michael is an uncle!!! It was the most amazing thing! I feel so lucky that I am dating such a wonderful person with a wonderful family that includes me in such amazing events. I was a little hesitant to allow Michael to include me in going to the hospital and being there for his niece’s birth (I mean it is a very intimate thing and sometimes people might just want family there – ya know?), but I am so grateful that they made me a part of this! Michael got the call on Saturday night about 10 pm that they had gone to the hospital and that the birth was imminent. So we jumped in the car and headed down to Charleston.
(After calling every one of my friends in my phonebook, none of which answered because it was after all 10 pm on a Saturday night, I was finally able to reach my aunt to come and take care of Gus and Harley while we were gone. I must say that I love my aunt dearly, she’s awesome, but she was not my first choice to come and take care of our beasts. For no other reason but that I spend a lot of time at Michael’s house – more than I would care for her to know. She surely knows now after being in his house and seeing my stuff everywhere (my stuff everywhere is a whole ‘nother issue….). Anyways… back to the story)
We get there at midnight and everyone is just sitting around the hospital waiting patiently and making idle chit chat. So Michael, the constant man of practicality that he is, decides it’s silly for us to just sit around the hospital and wait. He and I go to his sister and brother-in-law’s house and take a quick nap until we get “the call.” About 4:15 the call comes. We get up and rush back to the hospital. I was so glad that we got there just in time. Michael, his dad, his mom, his brother-in-law’s mom and grandmother, and myself were standing outside of the hospital room waiting and listening for the baby.
We heard her enter this world. It was amazing. It even makes me tear up now a little bit as I think about it. Her first cry. Rachael and Noah becoming parents. A new life. It all happened in that moment – 4 minutes before 5 in the morning on April 26th. She was beautiful. All 7 lbs 13 oz. and 21 inches of her. Alaina Rose Garrett. Like I said I am so grateful that Michael has such a wonderful family that would include me in this.I keep telling Michael wait an amazing event it was. He, of course, was the proud uncle but I think was to exhausted to express the same excitement that I was… Or maybe the reality of it all hadn’t set in yet…
Prior to this I have to admit that pregnancy and child birth was all a bit “icky” and scary to me. But being there for all of that makes you really realize that it is the “miracle of life.” I just couldn’t get over it all. Amazing. I don’t consider myself a skilled writer to say the least, and this is proof. My story telling and words do not do justice to the amazing events that happened yesterday….
Meanwhile… Harley and Gus where locked in a room in Columbia during all of this, except for the few minutes when my aunt came and let them out for a few minutes and feed them. You can imagine what we came home to….
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The One With The Last Class and Selfish Dog
Soooo.... I am so close to being done that I can't stand it! :0) I just got back from my final class! The only thing left is my thesis presentation tomorrow!! Then I will have a master's degree.... The job part - well I am still working on that...wah...wah...It seems like the past two years have just flown by, yet at the same time it seems to have taken FOREVER!! I just can't wait to earn a paycheck again and not be totally dependent on the government for my livelihood (although with my student loan debt I think I will owe somebody some amount of money for the rest of my life...)!
Now on the boys... Gus is getting so big so quickly! It's crazy. We have only had him for a little over one week now and he's already grown. Although I shouldn't be super surprised because that little thing eats like a horse! Geeze.... So far Harley and Gus are getting along a little bit better. Harley is a bit jealous and doesn't really like to share his toys. In fact he hoards them. If Gus picks up a toy, Harley will literally go and take it out of the little guy's mouth and then either guard it or destroy it so that Gus can't play with it! We're working on it.... Slowly but surely...
We are now able to leave Harley and Gus in the room together (sans crate for Gus) all day long. This is a huge accomplishment. Prior to this development we seriously thought that Harley just might eat little Gus if he wasn't crated. The first week we left Gus crated in the room with Harley while we were at work, Harley would literally pull the newspaper out of the bottom of the crate, shred it into a million little pieces.
Then he would pull out any stuffed animal or chew toy that was left in the crate (literally pull it from between the tiny openings in the crate) and dismember the toy and pull out all of the stuffing! We would get home from work and it would look like it had snowed! HA! But as I said before, we're past that! Yeah! Growing up quickly! 
Now on the boys... Gus is getting so big so quickly! It's crazy. We have only had him for a little over one week now and he's already grown. Although I shouldn't be super surprised because that little thing eats like a horse! Geeze.... So far Harley and Gus are getting along a little bit better. Harley is a bit jealous and doesn't really like to share his toys. In fact he hoards them. If Gus picks up a toy, Harley will literally go and take it out of the little guy's mouth and then either guard it or destroy it so that Gus can't play with it! We're working on it.... Slowly but surely...
We are now able to leave Harley and Gus in the room together (sans crate for Gus) all day long. This is a huge accomplishment. Prior to this development we seriously thought that Harley just might eat little Gus if he wasn't crated. The first week we left Gus crated in the room with Harley while we were at work, Harley would literally pull the newspaper out of the bottom of the crate, shred it into a million little pieces.
Then he would pull out any stuffed animal or chew toy that was left in the crate (literally pull it from between the tiny openings in the crate) and dismember the toy and pull out all of the stuffing! We would get home from work and it would look like it had snowed! HA! But as I said before, we're past that! Yeah! Growing up quickly! 
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The One With The New Puppy!
So Michael got a dog last October... Harley, a yellow lab mix, is a pound puppy. He is amazingly cute and definitely in his terrible twos. He means well and is super sweet, but - oh lord- he's into everything! He's eaten the carpet directly off the stairs, the wallpaper directly off the wall, and dug holes into the hardwood floors. In addition to having made a trip back to the pound after getting out one day, digging 4 foot deep holes in the backyard, eaten at least $300 dollars worth of shoes, and mysteriously having handfuls upon handfuls of fresh green leaves in the house (where there are no green plants nor is there an access for him to have gotten them from outside - this one is still unsolved!). These are only incidents that have taken place at Michael's house. I won't go into all of the Harley stories, but he is a very intelligent dog - especially since he ate numerous amounts of books at Michael's parents house and at least 20 of Michael's DVD's !
I say this only to explain what a handful Harley is and how much we love him in spite of it all! After much debate on whether we could handle all of Harley's antics and how we could curb his chewing habits, we decided (stupidly maybe) to get another dog.
Intro. Gus.
After a very interesting afternoon babysitting my little cousin, we ended up at my uncle's vet clinic where one of the staff members had brought in a 9 week old black lab mix. The staff member said she found this little dog "dodging" cars on the highway early that morning and quickly scooped him up and brought him in to safety. I spent the next few days convincing Michael that maybe another dog would help tame Harley - give him a creature to entertain himself with. So after much debate, we got Gus the last Sunday of the Masters, thus his name - Augusta "Gus" Masterson. He is the complete opposite of Harley - mellow, likes to sleep, etc.
We are just at the beginning of the Gus & Harley adventure - more to come no doubt.....
I say this only to explain what a handful Harley is and how much we love him in spite of it all! After much debate on whether we could handle all of Harley's antics and how we could curb his chewing habits, we decided (stupidly maybe) to get another dog.
Intro. Gus.
After a very interesting afternoon babysitting my little cousin, we ended up at my uncle's vet clinic where one of the staff members had brought in a 9 week old black lab mix. The staff member said she found this little dog "dodging" cars on the highway early that morning and quickly scooped him up and brought him in to safety. I spent the next few days convincing Michael that maybe another dog would help tame Harley - give him a creature to entertain himself with. So after much debate, we got Gus the last Sunday of the Masters, thus his name - Augusta "Gus" Masterson. He is the complete opposite of Harley - mellow, likes to sleep, etc.
We are just at the beginning of the Gus & Harley adventure - more to come no doubt.....
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