I finally watched The Time Traveler's Wife last night. I had had the DVD from Netflix for weeks but just didn't have/take the time to watch it. I really enjoyed the movie...though, as usual, I thought the book was better! I recommend both versions though...it's a really good story either way!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Book two already!
I finished The Eye of the World and started the second book of The Wheel of Time series! I absolutely loved the first book and am excited to continue this adventure! My husband is equally thrilled though thinks that I should spend all of my time reading these books...not quite, hunny, not quite!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Friends
Last Friday I was able to visit with not one but two of my favorite people! Lauren moved to Charleston this fall to continue her education at EIU...so she's not too far away but far enough that we can't easily do our weekly lunches anymore. Marissa moved back home to Miami after graduating with me in May. But, it just so happened that they were both in town on Friday...and I had wonderful visits with both of them!
Boltini's with Marissa
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Beauty of a Woman by Sam Levenson
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers
through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be
restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in
the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.
the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
must be seen from her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
must be seen from her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman
is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman
is reflected in her soul.
is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman
is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the beauty of a woman
with passing years—only grows.
the beauty of a woman
with passing years—only grows.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The journey begins...
My husband is very pleased that I have finally started reading The Eye of the World, the first book of the epic, 14 book The Wheel of Time fantasy series. I'm only on Chapter 7 but I think it's safe to say that I'm hooked. The 13th book was just released yesterday and the 14th is due out in early 2012...hopefully I'll finish the first 13 books and read a few others before then!
Integrative Medicine
Two nights ago I finally got around to reading my most recent issue of On Wisconsin, UW's alumni magazine. As I was reading the article about Integrative Medicine (Click here for the full story.), I kept thinking "This is what I've been learning...this is nursing!" Throughout my nursing career I've learned to treat the patient, not just the disease...and that's what Integrative Medicine is focusing on as well. I think my FNP curriculum did a good job of integrating "alternative medicine" treatments with the traditional medical regimens as well. It's nice to see that medicine is beginning to implement this as well.
I read a few of the comments posted on the article's website and was surprised to see that some people were very against the concept of Integrative Medicine. I, personally, haven't tried any of the alternative treatments...but I haven't had a reason to either as I've been lucky enough to be healthy. However, I firmly believe that not all effective treatments can be proven by science. If a patient wants to try acupuncture or massage, then why not offer that option? If it works, great...and if it doesn't, try something else. Besides, Integrative Medicine isn't just alternative treatments, it's the integration of alternative and traditional medicine. Makes sense to me!
I read a few of the comments posted on the article's website and was surprised to see that some people were very against the concept of Integrative Medicine. I, personally, haven't tried any of the alternative treatments...but I haven't had a reason to either as I've been lucky enough to be healthy. However, I firmly believe that not all effective treatments can be proven by science. If a patient wants to try acupuncture or massage, then why not offer that option? If it works, great...and if it doesn't, try something else. Besides, Integrative Medicine isn't just alternative treatments, it's the integration of alternative and traditional medicine. Makes sense to me!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Girls just wanna have fun!
The Spindler Girls Shopping Extravaganza, October 2010
Cousins in the front, moms/aunts in the back.
Fun, fun, fun weekend!
Thank you, Sports Illustrated
I would like to thank the people at Sports Illustrated for this week's issue about concussions. There were really good articles about not only the big hits that we see over and over again on SportsCenter but also an interesting study conducted by Purdue University researchers on how the "little" hits players suffer can also cause injury. It'd be great if we could come up with a way to keep players safe!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Khaled Hosseini
Last week I finished reading The Kite Runner and started and finished A Thousand Splendid Suns. Though both books were absolutely heart-wrenching, they were excellently written. I could imagine myself in every character's shoes. Themes that stuck out to me were the treatment of women, expected gender roles, the importance of education, and the ability to survive, to endure. I hope Mr. Hosseini continues to write...I will definitely read another book by him.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Time Traveler's Wife
I just finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It took me a little while to get into it but I ended up loving it! It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think. Niffenegger's whole notion of time travel was very imaginative and intriguing.
I moved the movie up to the top of my Netflix list...hopefully it doesn't disappoint!
Now I'm on to Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns before I tackle The Wheel of Time series.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Chicago, Chicago!
Last weekend I went to Chicago to meet up with a few friends from college...and one friend that I've known since 3rd grade! It was so good to see them again...and to explore the city!
Jess and Anit wearing Jess's new mittens and hat.
Jess and Aubz with a particularly interesting piece of art in East Village (east of Ukrainian Village).
Anit and Jess sipping coffee on a chilly evening.
Aubz, me, and Vibha
Making our own art at the Art Institute.
Commemorating Aubrey's first visit to the bean (aka Cloud Gate).
Jess and Aubz grabbing the bull by the horns. Really!
Aubz and Anit at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Very cool place!
Anit and Aubz with the giant agave plant.
Me and Aubz with some vanilla vines.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Update: Zac Brown Band
I went to Chicago this past weekend to visit friends (More on that later!) and listened to the new Zac Brown Band CD, You Get What You Give, on my drive to and from the city. I LOVE it! Here are a few of my favorite lines:
Don’t you let regret take place of the dreams you have to chase...
You might fall down on your face
Roll the dice and have some faith
From As She's Walking Away.
Save your strength for things that you can change
Forgive the ones you can't
You gotta let 'em go
From Let It Go
Just can't get enough...and can't wait to go to another concert! :-)
Don’t you let regret take place of the dreams you have to chase...
You might fall down on your face
Roll the dice and have some faith
From As She's Walking Away.
Save your strength for things that you can change
Forgive the ones you can't
You gotta let 'em go
From Let It Go
Just can't get enough...and can't wait to go to another concert! :-)
New favorite author: Brandon Sanderson
This summer I started reading Brandon Sanderson's books. John recommended them to me a long time ago and was nagging me to start reading again. (I just didn't enjoy reading for fun when I was reading so much for school too.) So far I've read Elantris and Warbreaker which are stand-alone novels as well as the Mistborn series. I loved each and every book!
Brandon Sanderson is also completing The Wheel of Time series that was started by Robert Jordan. My plan is to start reading this series after I read a few other books from my list.
It's SO nice to be able to read for fun again! I should have enough books to keep me busy for awhile...but I'm always open to suggestions.
Brandon Sanderson is also completing The Wheel of Time series that was started by Robert Jordan. My plan is to start reading this series after I read a few other books from my list.
It's SO nice to be able to read for fun again! I should have enough books to keep me busy for awhile...but I'm always open to suggestions.
I passed!!
I forgot to post this sooner...I passed my family nurse practitioner certification exam on September 16th! Woohoo! I was super nervous and the process was really formal...I had to be fingerprinted and everything. Ahh, it's such a relief to be done!
So, what's next? I will hopefully be able to start working as a nurse practitioner on the rehab unit at Carle in Urbana in mid-October. I'll only be working PRN (as needed) so I'm not sure how many hours I'll actually get. John will graduate with his PhD in May and then we're hoping to move back to Wisconsin (specifically the Madison area). So far I've applied for two family practice positions in Madison but haven't heard anything back yet. I know it's early and hopefully there will be lots more jobs to apply for...but keep your fingers crossed!
So, what's next? I will hopefully be able to start working as a nurse practitioner on the rehab unit at Carle in Urbana in mid-October. I'll only be working PRN (as needed) so I'm not sure how many hours I'll actually get. John will graduate with his PhD in May and then we're hoping to move back to Wisconsin (specifically the Madison area). So far I've applied for two family practice positions in Madison but haven't heard anything back yet. I know it's early and hopefully there will be lots more jobs to apply for...but keep your fingers crossed!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Zac Brown Band
I've loved Zac Brown Band for quite awhile now...ever since I heard their first single, Chicken Fried, on the radio. I went to see them live when they came to Champaign last October and they were even more amazing in person. There weren't any crazy special effects, just a bunch of guys making beautiful music and amazing harmonies.
I was reminded of just how much I love their music on Friday when I got an email inviting me to watch their newly released music video, As She's Walking Away. (Click here for the video.) It was awesome! While I was on the CMT website, I also watched the video to Free and nearly had tears in my eyes. These guys are such cool people! I hope they continue to make their music and share it with me for a long, long time!
I was reminded of just how much I love their music on Friday when I got an email inviting me to watch their newly released music video, As She's Walking Away. (Click here for the video.) It was awesome! While I was on the CMT website, I also watched the video to Free and nearly had tears in my eyes. These guys are such cool people! I hope they continue to make their music and share it with me for a long, long time!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
30 Day Shred
Last week I started Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. I had heard good things about it from a couple of different friends but was still a little skeptical. It is an awesome workout though! I'm still on level one and have only done it four times...but it's definitely something I'm going to keep doing. My plan is to alternate with running...we'll see how I do!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Certification update
I finally got my letter from ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) OKing me to schedule my certification exam. I will be taking it in mid-September! So, now it's time to study, study, study! Wish me luck!
So proud of my momma!
My mom walked in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event in Minneapolis last weekend. She walked approximately 20 miles each day for a total of 60 miles. She was required to raise $2300 and ended up with over $3400 in donations. And, she made it through the whole walk without any blisters or major problems...just sore legs! I can't even say how proud I am of her...SO PROUD!!! She wants to do it again...with me...I just hope I can keep up with her!
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