Constant Transition

Sooooo....."they" were right.

I remember in the not-too-distant past claiming that once I moved to North Carolina that my life would settle down and I would enjoy that thing people called "free time." Those who knew me well laughed. At first I was insulted...but now I have come to realize that they foresaw that which I was too naive to see....I am a work-a-holic.

That aside, I am also never able to be happy with the status quo...constantly searching for some way to improve or challenge myself. Or maybe just always looking for ways to stir up the dust.

I was poking around on the hospital website where I work and noticed a research nursing position posted. For those who didn't know....I went to nursing school to be a research nurse. Not the traditional reason...but it was mine. As I went through nursing school I found that I actually enjoyed bedside nursing as well....and because I needed more experience went into that branch out of school. But it seems like I would be wasting an opportunity to at least learn more about this position if I don't apply. So I put in a request for transfer. And...back into transition I go. =)

This coupled with the daunting task of being a new home owner is making me....well...tired!

So lets say that I conquer the boxes and get the new job.....what can I possibly do next....

I know....you are all out there giggling. But I am planning to actually read all the books in that to-read pile!

later!
Jess

I'm Back!

Hey all!

I know it has been a long time since I popped in...sorry. Turns out that I have been very busy!

Our Alaska vacation was WONDERFUL! One of the best vacations I have ever been on. I would recommend the trip to anyone. The wedding was also great! It was so nice to see the folks from Northwestern that I haven't seen since our wedding 2.5 years ago. More about that later.

The house is awesome! Pictures soon I promise. We have realized just how much work comes with home-ownership already. Yay, yard work! =) Slowly but surely it is all coming together. Eventually I will be able to go an entire day without sifting through a box to find something....I hope!

Many thanks to the people that have helped us in this transition! Especially those that lent their spines to carry all of our crap down 3 flights of stairs. ugh!

I will check in soon with details! Just wanted to say hello to everyone!

This and That

Today I blog about lots of stuff!

1. Tri training update. I am doing sooooooo much better on the bike thanks a greater understanding of the gears on the road bike. Hopefully I won't get toasted on the hills in my next group ride! I am looking forward to some good run training in Alaska where is it much cooler!

2. The house! It's absolutely awesome! The sod is down there is carpeting..all the little things are going in and WE CLOSE ON THE 30th! I can't believe it! We actually have the final walk through the day we fly back into Charlotte (red -eye from Anchorage!)...can any one say Chi Tea for me!

3. ALASKA! We leave in less than 10 days! I have been busy this week booking tours and "adventures." I can't wait...and you better believe there will be a blog just for that when we get home!

4. Work. Blah! While most everyone is looking forward to a 3 day weekend...I am gearing up to work it! 3 twelve hour shifts in a row! Yikes! From what I have observed, weekends and holidays are either pretty slow...or really, really busy. Despite working away the holiday...I am feeling more and more confident with all the new protocols and how to find things on the unit. I really do like the people I work with and the patients. Please keep you fingers crossed that all is well in the medical world this weekend! Regardless...after the 3 days stretch only 2 more work days until we fly out!

Happy 4th to everyone! Be safe!

Keeping in Touch

I stink at returning phone calls, emails, and other forms of accepted communication. And...I am not alone.

I know its cliche. But I really am trying to figure out a way to keep in touch with people on a more regular basis. However, without burning my cell minutes or spending all my hard earned money on stamps...email is really the only way. But then you get bombarded with 100 emails from people that you haven't talked to in ages...and get so overwhelmed with replying...that you just don't. In at least 3 cases I have been playing phone tag with people for months. Months!

So how do we do it? How do we stay in touch? Mass emails are good for general updates...but very impersonal. I just don't know.

Beyond that...how do we find the folks we lost? I haven't heard from my high school best friend in almost 8 years. I have tried to find her...but no luck. Sadly we didn't even have a HS reunion.

Any ideas? And for those that I have not replied to...HI! I miss you! Please don't give up on me!

Jammies Day

I, Jess, with no actual title or power, declare a PJ's day!

A day where you get to stay home, spend time with your family, roommate, cat or whatever and just not be burdened with all that stuff out there. A day to "cleanse" ourselves from the everyday.

In grad school Dave and I lived in different states (no surprise to any of my readers I know). We juggled schedules and commitments to get together as often as possible. I remember one particular weekend, while planning what we were going to do, I declared a PJ day. A day where I did not have to leave, make phone calls, do homework or anything else. I just wanted to bum around in my PJ's and enjoy my company. And we did. I think we spent most of the day watching movies. It was nice.

As I now am juggling a mountain of responsibility and decisions I am yearning for a PJ day. One where I don't have to track down the bank, insurance, builder or HR rep. One where my phone isn't ringing everytime I curl up with a book or for a nap. Maybe...just maybe...one where I can go for my run without feeling like I might be missing an important phone call or email.

No matter what stage of life we are in...there is something demanding our time. Be it work, kids, school, moving blah blah blah. Our time is never our own. If we do take time for ourselves, we typically have to scramble to catch up when we are done. But where does that leave us? Tired? Cranky? Resentful? Who wants to be like that???

So I declare it....PJ DAY 2008. You pick the day. Have your snacks ready...or the delivery menus by the phone. Turn off the email and turn on the voice mail. Snuggle up to whoever or whatever makes you happy and just enjoy life for all its worth!

Motivation and Re-examination

On June 13th I will have hit an important anniversary. On June 12, 2007 I sat up strait in bed and came up with a plan...that then kept me up the rest of the night. Thank God for bedside post-its!

It will be exactly one year after my 29 by 29 campaign. Inspired by some pictures that were taken at the first annual "Girls Gone Wild" weekend hosted by my mom, an overall lack on energy and enthusiasm and a need to not end up looking back after Dave and I started having kids thinking that I should have gotten in shape before babies.

Very few people were privy to details...and most people didn't even know the dramatic life style change that I undertook. Thank-you mostly to Mom, Dave, Mark, Maureen and Martha for your constant encouragement!

Step one: I dumped 5 liters of Mountain Dew down the drain. For those who know me well...you are probably sucking in air. But honestly...it has been proven to be one of the easiest ways to kick start a weight loss program.

Step two: Make a plan. I love spreadsheets...this was fun. And while making the spread sheet I had the idea that I could lose (safely) 29 pounds by my 29th birthday. I kept careful track of my weight, measurements and exercise. I wrote out my meals and played around with balancing different food groups to maximize my energy during the day (don't forget I was still working and going to school at this point).

So did I succeed...yes and no. I did not hit my goal. But I did lose 20 lbs and have been hovering in the 15-20 lb range since I moved to the south. I felt so much better about my appearance. Do you know how uplifting it is when someone says...I have noticed that you lost some weight and really look great! ***Jess pats herself on back*** because it was HARD! I lost 2 (and in girl sizes that's actually 4) pant sizes. And most importantly can see the healthy options available...and the unhealty traps that can ensnare people.

I had started running in that time and now I am training for the tri. When I started I couldn't run 2 minutes without dying...I was up to 28 yesterday...and it was 90 degrees with 86% humidity. Not to mention I am much faster now.

So now I am looking back. Its time...afterall...to make sure that I am not slipping back into my old ways. And...I am! Yikes. So I am going to stop with the soda again (though I never drink as much as I did!), give up the excessive sweets (no one needs a banana split) and keep training for the tri. I am also dumping the fast food...which has become a fall back for the evenings when Dave and I are both running to get somewhere and don't have time to sit down and eat.

Do I think I will ever get down to that -29. Not sure. With all the muscle mass from the training and the need to stay hydrated...I am thinking that it might be an unhealthy weight for me at this point.

Thanks again to all my cheer leaders out there! For my healthy lifestyle, for my tri training...and for life in general! And...anyone who wants to jump on the band wagon...there is always strength in numbers!

Why I Love Sundays!

This weekend I was lucky enough to only have to work Saturday, leaving Sunday open for whatever my little heart desired. Along with the usual ritual (church, etc), we drove out to the house site and had a BBQ with some friends.

Much to our delight the siding and brick have been started and the dry wall is complete! (One little problem are some itty bitty bugs that are hanging out pretty much everywhere they sealed the dry wall...yikes!).

I rode with the Bee Team yesterday afternoon. It was not a great ride in terms of training thanks to a pop-up thunderstorm that we had to take shelter from...but we did log in 12 miles. I am starting to adjust to my new bike more and more...and today I got the new pedals installed.

After that we headed out to Colonel Beatty Park. One of the many little treasures tucked away in the suburbs of Charlotte. It has a big beautiful lake, hiking trails, biking trails, various fields to play in and picnic areas with BBQ pits (and geese). We opted for the "bring whatever you want as a main and a side to share" plan which worked out quite well. My fruit pizza was quite yummy if I do say so myself. =)

We wrapped up the day with video games (Dave) and some leisurely reading (me). All in all...a mighty enjoyable day!