2009 in review

Pounds lost: 5 (I think my parents scale is just very forgiving-or my invisalign diet is working!)

Countries visited: 5

Guatemala

 

Belize

 

Germany

Austria 

 Japan

Sewing projects completed: 1 (a "sleeping bag" for my trips-hotel sheets gross me out)

Marriage proposals: 3 (from patients at the hospital-I know, I'm a lucky girl)

New roommates: 2


I'm sure there's more, but I really only remember my trips. 


Plans for 2010: Learning to sew, Brazil and Argentina (so far).

My blonde moment of the year

My car is having issues and it is getting fixed up near my parent's house. I had to work today so last night I borrowed my mom's car to drive back to Columbus and was just going to drive back after work. I also had to bring back a large bookcase so it worked out that I took my mom's car as it would not have fit in my small car. And I had some Christmas presents to unload. I didn't bring much in terms or clothes, personal items etc with me, as I had stuff at my apartment, and I was going back to my parents in less than 24 hours. Anyway, so I left last night and drove through a small blizzard on the way down to Columbus. I unloaded the bookcase, dropped off some mail and headed home. It was around 10:30pm. I got out of the car and it was then that I realized...

I had no key to my apartment.

I had switched keys with my mom and never taken my apartment key off my key chain. I have given copies of my keys to friends, but unfortunately for me, they were all out of town. I was technically homeless for the night. I had brought a pair or clean scrubs with me, but that was about it. I hadn't even brought pajamas. I thought about calling into work, saying I was sick, and then just driving back to my parents. I then remembered one friend who might be in town. Luckily she answered her phone and was at her apartment. So I didn't have to sleep in my car. Hooray!

p.s. Thanks Milkadoll! You're a lifesaver!

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Fellow Airline Passengers,

I know that since the airlines have been charging to check bags, you've been trying to limit yourself to carry on bags only. Me too. Perhaps you've even learned how to pack less. Good for you. However, the airlines say one small piece of luggage and a "purse size" bag (aka one that fits under your feet). That doesn't mean two pieces of luggage, both of which you put in the overhead bins. If you're carrying two bags, put one under your seat. I'm sorry that you don't have any more leg room-it's coach, get used to it. Or don't bring the second bag. And don't put your heavy coat in the overhead bin so I can't even fit my small suitcase up there. Sit on your coat or use it as a Snuggie.

Sincerely,
Me

p.s. This experience makes me want to stick with international flights.

Brace Face OR An Expensive Diet

I got "braces" the other day. Invisalign to be exact. And because people have been asking, here's the reason: I have a gap between my two front teeth that was getting worse and putting weird angles between the other teeth (I'm a nurse, not a dentist, so I don't know the technical terms). I was always getting food stuck in them too, which is embarrassing. In fact, I'm pretty sure that my teeth is the only thing keeping me in the singles ward.
Anyway, I got Invisalign. On the top teeth only. The first couple days my teeth hurt quite a bit. Especially when I had to put it back in. You have to take the trays out and brush your teeth everytime you eat. And the more you take them in and out, the more it weakens the trays. Did I mention how much it hurts to put them back in? Who likes to brush their teeth more than 4 times a day? I don't. So now I only eat three meals a day. They have to be small, so I don't get too hungry too soon. No more snacking. The past two days at work I've had to turn down free food. Do you know how hard that is for me? I've never been on a diet before, but it feels like one now. And I had to pay a lot of money to be on it. Only 11.5 weeks to go...

And then there was heat.

I finally turned on the heat for good yesterday. That's right. I made it to December 5th.
How? I'm not sure. My apartment just hasn't been that cold. I've turned it on briefly when I've had friends over, but have always turned it off as soon as they left. And I had blankets that kept me warm. And I haven't been trying to save money for traveling, in case you were wondering.
Why did I finally decide to turn it on? Candace (my roommate) moved back from North Carolina and it seemed like the right thing to do.
So, welcome back, Candace. Thanks for preventing me from shivering for the next 3.5 months.

God Bless America

Where else could you get all of this:

3 printers
1 Play Station 3
2 BluRay players
3 PS3 games
15 DVDs
1 iPod speaker system
1 router
1 Paula Dean pots & pans set
2 Pyrex 20 piece sets
2 Crock Pots
2 hand mixers
1 mini chopper
4 towels
3 pairs of Express jeans
15 Wallflowers
1 cardigan

...for about $1000 in one day (in 8 hours, to be exact)?

5AM
Black Friday 2009
Walmart
Medina, OH

Our end haul