I’m trained in First Aid… Can I help you? September 23, 2011

Oh hi… I’m First Aid and CPR/AED Certified.  Because I’m a good person like that.  Or at least that’s what the nice lady beside me in class told me when she asked why I was taking the course and I told her about my list.
 

I’m not entirely sure why I felt such a need to do this before I turned 30.  I was certified in high school which was quite a while ago (read:  I don’t remember a lot of things I learned in high school, including CPR) and I work on a college campus where you never know what might happen and quite frankly, I’m anal retentive and don’t like not knowing how to be in control of a situation if the need arises.  So, I did a little research and found an American Heart Association course, forked over 70 bucks (this damn list is getting expensive) and waited for the day to come.  Which was yesterday.  I left work a little early (I think this totally counts as a career enhancement) and made the voyage to the training center.  I was one of the first to arrive (naturally… because I wasn’t with John who is my usual reason for being late… to everything) and the room slowly filled with other participants.  Giant, burly, male participants of the football coach variety.  Finally, two other women joined so our new close-knit friends included the 6 aforementioned coaches (all buddies) and the three women in the room, myself included.  The First Aid part was all basic (hence the name of the course – Basic First Aid).  I will tell you, I had a huge sense of pride and accomplishment when the instructor asked us how many of us were blood donors and along with only 3 of the men in the room, I was able to raise my hand and proclaim, “yes… I am a blood donor.”   All my listy things coming full circle… how cool is that?
 

Moving on… I was very grateful that there was an AED in the room along with two people who already knew how to use it because no one prepared me for the “insect bite” section and the 5 foot black widow spider that was plastered up on the wall via gazillion times projection.  Luckily, I closed my eyes quickly enough to prevent me from becoming the test dummy.
 

Then, the “real” dummies came out (hypothetical “real”… they aren’t, after all, actually alive).
 

I might have been the only person sneakily taking photos to document this experience.  I guess that’s what happens when you’re in the training voluntarily.

 

I made it through the whole CPR portion of the video but when the rhythmic beat they were trying to portray as the speed of proper compressions suddenly reminded me of “Billie Jean,” I was done.  I tried to hold back the smirk but I know the football guy next to me totally saw it.  And was probably thinking the same thing I was.

 

  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30… breathe, breathe. 

“She said I am the one… who will dance… on the floor… in the round“

 

THEN the baby dummies came out along with reason #24754 why I probably shouldn’t have kids.  Even the coaches held the dolls as if they were ACTUAL babies, never mind the women next to me who were clearly mothers and cradled that doll like it was their own first born.  I, of course, had mine draped across my lap and I may or may not have rested my elbows on it’s stomach.  I suck at life.

 

When all was said and done, I feel like I really gained a lot of knowledge and confidence from this class.  And I’ve got a face mask in a case that I’m sure will be in a convenient, able-to-reach-any-time location that I’ll be able to find if I’m in a dire emergency.  Or it will sit in my glove box until it disintegrates… whatever.

 

My goodies including my certificate saying that I did it!!!!

 

Now, who’s CPR/AED Certified and will be in the Mystic area on Oct. 15th?  I might need you when I collapse over the finish line (hopefully) after that damn 5K…

 

People only see what they are prepared to see.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Honestly, who am I racing against? September 21, 2011

I had a major epiphany today (and not just the one where I realized I had no idea how to spell ‘epiphany’).
 

When I’m running… who exactly am I racing against???

 

Alright, let me backtrack.  First, I haven’t done my C25K program since before Irene and then I had a little medical hurdle that kept me from running.  Until today.  I didn’t even really want to run (do I ever?) but the fact that the 5k I’m signed up for is literally around the corner, I realized I had no choice.  Because it’s been 3 weeks, I decided to tone it down a bit.  I usually run at 5mph (I’m guessing that’s what it means when you press “5″ on the treadmill) and sweat and bleed and cry and hate every minute of it.  So, “4″ it was.  And you know what?  I actually ENJOYED myself!  I didn’t feel like I was going to die or fall off the treadmill and I imagined myself running at that rate for much longer than the designated 5 minutes before my fancy lady voice told me to “walk.”
 

I have finally realized, I’m not racing anyone or anything except for my own desire to complete this damn 5k (and by desire I mean my inability to be OK with failing) and if I want to run at a “4″ and actually DO IT then I’m totally fine with it.
 

 

I just hope they don’t have a time limit on this 5k…
 

I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.  ~Abraham Lincoln

10 more to go… September 20, 2011

I’ve lost 5 pounds by counting calories… imagine that?  I’ve also signed up for Weight Watchers at work and I start on Monday which has put a little wrench into my weight loss journey.  In other words, I’m in the mindset of having the “Last Supper.”  Every day.
 

Those cookies I am convincing myself are OK to eat for an afternoon snack?  They’re going to be a lot of points come the start of next week.
 

10 more pounds to go.  Oh who am I kidding… it’s probably back up to 12 now.
 

The cardiologist’s diet:  If it tastes good, spit it out.  ~Author Unknown

I will always remember… September 11, 2011

I will always remember where I was that fateful morning.
 

I will always remember that it was a week in to my sophomore year at college.
 

I will always remember being woken up by my roommate as she got home from her first class that morning, as was our routine.
 

I will always remember stretching underneath my cozy down comforter in our newly decorated dorm room in Gorham Hall.
 

I will always remember the cloudless, blue sky and the perfect fall temperature of that day… a cool breeze billowing the soft, white curtain on our window.
 

I will always remember how, when Kara turned on the tv, she immediately started turning up the volume so it took us a minute to realize what was happening because the little green volume meter was covering the news tag.
 

I will always remember our reaction – shock, horror, Kara bracing herself on the dresser – as we realized what was happening.
 

I will always remember that this all happened RIGHT after the second tower had been struck.
 

I will always remember the fear in my mother’s voice when she called me… knowing she couldn’t be with me that day.
 

I will always remember my college friends gathering in front of our tv – some still in their pjs, some coming back from class – as we bonded even more over the tragedy that stood before us.
 

I will always remember our friends finally saying, “we need to go get some breakfast” but as we walked into another friend’s room on our way to the dining hall, news broke that the Pentagon had been hit.  My best friend was in D.C.  I screamed and turned back around to my room to try and call her… it was busy.  For 3 days.
 

I will always remember making the choice to skip my classes that day because I was riveted by the news and literally felt like I couldn’t move.
 

I will always remember watching the towers fall… along with our hope.
 

I will always remember the courage of the passengers on Flight 93… as we imagine what might have been.
 

I will always remember finally leaving my room that evening and going to the Quad where they played “Shrek” for us as a way to keep our minds occupied.  But it was eerie being outside with no air traffic… well, except the one single plane that was flying, keeping surveillance for the local Naval Station.  This was even more eerie.
 

I will always remember only wanting to be with John… but he was an RA and had to be there for his residents.  And they had closed down his campus so no one was allowed on.
 

I will always remember the feelings that my stomach was going to plummet to the ground… or my heart was going to pound out of my chest.
 

I will always remember being old enough to know, yet still young enough to not completely understand.
 

I will always remember being too close to NY to feel safe, yet far enough away that I couldn’t fully comprehend.
 

I will always remember a country united in our grief, our pain and our appreciation and admiration for those we lost that day.
 

I will always remember the salt from my tears as they trickled down my cheeks.
 

I will always remember the warmth from our hugs as we comforted one another.
 

I will always remember the fear that paralyzed us.
 

I will always remember the pride that mobilized us.
 

I will always remember…
 

My favorite photo… 

 

For more iconic photos from that day, click here. I shouldn’t have to warn you that some of them are disturbing.

 

The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom. ~Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor of the City of New York

Everything I need to know about parenting, I learn from my dogs… September 10, 2011

Ok, I’m sure that’s not completely true.  That crow steak is still waiting for me after this post as well because I’m sure I’ll offend an actual child mother (as opposed to the dog mother that I am).  But it’s all I know right now so just bare with me… I was having a moment today.
 

*  You’ll swear that you won’t give in to their incessant crying barking when their ball gets stuck under a piece of furniture that is impossible to move because you don’t want them to think that you’ll do it every time… or any other similar analogy.  That is, until you’re ready to pull your hair out from frustration so you get up and just getthedamnballalready.  Clearly they’ll train you better than you train them.
 

*  If you have more than one, their personalities will be more different than you could imagine and you’ll wonder how that happened.  You’ll blame yourself and make excuses for their negative behaviors and attributes and forget to reward yourself for their better qualities.
 

*  Their toys are really loud and squeaky and covered in drool and dog hair and are scattered all over the floor like mini death traps that you try and avoid in the middle of the night until you inevitably step on the SHARPEST part of that damn bone.
 

*  It’s OK to medicate them for behavioral issues.  Until you realize that the medication doesn’t work so you medicate yourself instead.
 

*  If you don’t spay them, they’ll grow up to be bitchy teenagers that get their period and bleed all over your house.  Oh… spaying your kids isn’t an option?  Ok, that’s another thing I’ve learned then.
 

*  It’s good to walk them with a leash… just as long as when it’s an actual child, that leash is in the shape of a tail and it’s attached to a cute monkey backpack.  It’s not ok to use the Boston Red Sox leash and collar set.   But the name tags and a number to reach you at are probably a good idea.
 

*  You have to make some serious sacrifices and you’ll miss out on some great events with your friends and family… but then they’ll give you a slobbery kiss to tell you that they love you and appreciate those sacrifices… until they turn into previously mentioned bitchy teenagers.
 

*  They don’t listen. You can, however, get them to do whatever you want them to do with the bribe of a cookie.
 

*  Sometimes, they’ll drive you so insane that you don’t think you can handle it anymore and 5 minutes later (probably when they’re sleeping), you’ll forget that you were ever annoyed.
 

*  And when that happens, it’s ok to put them in the (play)pen and walk away.
 

* You’ll feel like you can’t clean the house enough because as soon as you turn around, they’ve thrown their food all over the floor.
 

*  Through it all, it’s the little things in life that will be the ones most cherished.  Watching them play together, go swimming or act like fools will make you laugh so hard that you forget that they’re about to drive you crazy again.
 

*  When it comes to fosters, you’ll pour your time, energy and all your extra love into them only to prepare them for leaving the nest and finding a family of their own… which is not unlike sending a child off to college. And they’ll take a piece of your heart with them.
 

* You’ll think that you can’t possibly love them any more… until you look them in the eyes and it’s like they’re sharing their soul with you.
 

* You’ll think that you can’t possibly love another one as much until you open your heart (and home) again… and you realize that you’ll make room.
 

*  You will be a better person because of them and subsequently, you will never be the same…
 

Sometimes, they’ll hide under your furniture and look so.friggen.cute.  And because you missed a really wonderful event in Maine today because your foster dog went into heat and is now wearing your husband’s boxers as a diaper, you’ll write this blog post. 
Then you’ll go cuddle with the beasts because they’re so worth it.

 

For me a house or an apartment becomes a home when you add one set of four legs, a happy tail, and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog.  ~Roger Caras

Wait… HOW did you get here??? Vol. 9 September 5, 2011

‘Wait… HOW Did You Get Here?’ DISCLAIMER:
I didn’t change the grammar/spelling on any of these searches so you can appreciate the full ridiculousness of every single one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

cartoon honest i didn’t do anything we were just playing and his head exploded

Yeah… that happens sometimes.  Wait… WHAT???
 

 

living with differences religiously-cartoon

That’s not really funny… it’s hard work.
 

what to do for my 29th birthday

Make a 30 Before 30 List.  Obvi.
 

procrastination stories inspirational

Ummm… how is procrastination in any way shape or form inspirational?
 

Huh… I guess procrastination CAN be inspirational!

 

caring, understanding, ..devotion, validity, reassurance

Wow… all that got you here?  Well don’t I seem like a wonderful person!
 

inappropriate things to do in the wood shop comics

I don’t know about you but the wood shop seems like a really dangerous place to do inappropriate things…
 

how to buy a nice piece of jewelry

Pick something out and then slap down your credit card… or at least, that’s how I do it.
 

edvard cullen in 2011 look

Edvard… he’s Russian, no?
 

Just because… and for the record, I NEVER have to have a reason for an Edvard Edward pic.

 

let us be grateful to people who make us happy quote

I try and do this each and every day!  Unless I’m miserable, then I blame the person who pissed me off.
 

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Vroom Vroom! September 3, 2011

John and I (read: John) bought a dune buggy last fall.
 

Yes, it’s street legal.
 

Yes, we can drive it on the highway.
 

No, we don’t have to wear a helmet.
 

Now that we have all of the basic questions answered and out of the way, let’s chat about this toy.  John had been looking for one FOREVER and finally found the perfect specimen only 15 minutes away from our house.  He was apprehensive at first but I strongly encouraged him to purchase the buggy… and he did.  I’m still waiting for my “Wife of the Year” trophy.  But I’m not holding my breath.

 

No joke… the blue beast.

 

We bought the car because we figured it would be a nice way to spend beautiful summer afternoons out in the fresh air with the wind blowing our hair back (seems like what wind does, right?) and it was clearly a safer option than motorcycles.  And it’s been really, really great.  Except John drives it everywhere and I have been slightly afraid to.  Although I’ve driven a stick-shift before, it somehow seems completely different when what I was driving felt like a lump of scrap metal.  Of course, I’ve tootled around in the parking lot down the road but I haven’t ventured anywhere where I might actually be seen grinding the transmission showing off my stick-shift skills (or lack there of).  And I certainly haven’t driven it without John in the passenger seat.  So, I did what any logical person would do.  I promised to figure out how to do it before I turned 30.
 

Fast forward a few months and we realized the transmission was actually starting to go (no fault of mine – woo hoo!) which was going to make this feat a little more difficult (and dangerous).  During a joyride this summer, we had to stop at my office and a co-worker of mine saw the beast and made a mental note to ask me to include it in a lip dub video that he was producing on campus…  I was both intrigued and terrified but I figured, what better way to make myself do it but in front of all my students and a video camera to document the whole thing?
 

Holy shit.  What did I get myself into?
 

So, last Thursday/Friday were the days of filming and although John actually drove it the 30 minutes to campus and back, I successfully drove the dune buggy.  On camera.  In front of college kids.  I think I earned some SERIOUS cool points.  Once I get the OK to do so, I’ll share the video on Facebook… it’s pretty impressive and all done on one take, with no editing and ~100 student leaders exemplifying some of the most amazing teamwork and collaboration I’ve ever seen from them.  I have never been so proud…
 

Mad skills.  Or just mad… whatever.

 

Our scene was great – a coworker and I get confused for one another regularly (we are seemingly always together) so we rocked some “Thing 1″ and “Thing 2″ t-shirts and ran from our “professional scene” to our dune buggy scene.  Literally.  It’s a good thing I’ve been running because not only did I drive the blue beast in front of college students, I had to sprint through a whole line of them who were set up for the next shot.  Talk about an ego boost… or crusher had I not kept telling myself, “don’t make an ass out of yourself in front of the 20 year olds who could run laps around you… stop huffing wind like you’re about to die… do NOT trip and fall on your face.”  Surprisingly (and thankfully) it worked.

 

Oh, and our piece was definitely overlayed with Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.”  Perfection.
 

 

19. Take the Dune Buggy for a ride by myself (further than up and down the road)

 

I’m clearly now a badass…
 

If you want to live your life through to the end, you have to live dangerously. ~Jeanne Moreau