continue on stumbling...

Hi everyone,

I know that not too many people read this, and that this is purely a blog for my own enjoyment, so I don't update it all that much.

So, I am still reading this book for school called Stumbling on Happiness. There was a part that really struck me. He used the initials of famous people that have been in great tragedies in their lives, and have come out of them seeming to be more enlightened people. He used the examples of Lance Armstrong, Christopher Reeves, and a couple others. They are quoted after all the bad stuff that happened to them, as saying that they would not have changed a thing. As if these tragedies are a learning experience...which they are.

I have some people around me, that I care deeply for. They go to my church, and I would do anything in my abilities for them. Recently, they are going through a really grave time. It is something that I pray for them every day about. It is nothing that I can do anything about really, it is something that they have to work through. The amazing part of watching them go through it, is seeing them grow and blossom. I mean, the music created, the love that I see among them, and the hope in their eyes just inspire me.

I have not really been through many traumatic things in my life. I have never gone paralyzed, had cancer, or anything like that, but I do know that there is a loving God in heaven that watched over me.

I thought that losing my Father was the hardest thing that I would have to go through in my life. I mean, I guess you could pin that as my traumatic thing, but it did not stop me. It was like a speed bump. A short thing that you must cross over with your car.

I remember when I was probably 15 or 16, hanging out with some friends. My friend Danny would drive a lot, because none of us had out licenses. I felt bad, and would give him gas money when I could. Our one friend...Darren...lived in a neighborhood with what we called "mile-high speed bumps." They were so bad, that we would have him sometimes meet us at the front of his development.

Anyway, those speed bumps would always scrape the bottom of the car, but the car kept running. It was a Beretta that he drove. They are small cars! Anyway, it kinda felt like that, like I was the car, and I was driving myself. I saw it up ahead the whole time, my Father's death. I just could do nothing to stop it. Prolonging it was keeping him on the medication, and keeping him alive. All he wanted to do at a certain point was go home to be with his Daddy(God). So, during that time, me as my little car self went over the "mile-high speedbump" of him passing away. It was hard, and it is still hard some days, but I get through it.

My friends will too, and they will be better, more enlightened, people for it.

Fireproof...

So, last night I watched a movie with a bunch of friends called Fireproof. The movie was not at all academy-award winning. I don't think Kirk Cameron is a great actor, nor do I find any of the other actors and actresses great.

It did however have a good message. I mean, Kirk Cameron is a firefighter that is very close to ending his marriage to his wife. He works 24 hour shifts, and then is off for two days. He doesn't help around the house. His wife just works all the time doing PR for a hospital. His Father hands him a book called the Love Dare.

He does it, and comes to God...I won't tell you the rest.

Anyway, so after the movie I immediately thought of my brother and Jamie. I bought them the book in hopes that they might do it, and a change will happen.

It also got me thinking, I mean, I am very very very far from being a perfect person. I, in no way, have called myself that. Being a perfect person would come with a lot of responsibility. I mean, Jesus, man, he had a lot going on, and he was perfect.

This presents me with a challenge for myself, a "Dare" if you will. These basic principles could be applied to my walk with God, right? I mean, in the movie when they are next to that cross, and his Father asked him how can you love someone unconditionally, when all they do is hurt you? Of course this was referencing God's love for us, but really, it is kind of a personal dare. What am I going to let God do in my life. How am I going to let him change me? Will I do that?

Who knows? Only God does.

I am not so good at this...

I am just not so good at this blogging thing. My week was a little bit traumatic. I worked the weekend for the first time, and it went smoothly. I also came down with a sickness called hand, foot, and mouth disease. It has got to be the weirdest thing ever.

Monday, I had a day off, and had lunch with my friend Bill. Him and I went to Iron Hill, and it was nice. We went there and had a nice lunch, and I came home. Although, I noticed that I wasn't really hungry. I went on about my day, and went to the after school program, where I volunteer. I made the posters, and some other things that needed to be done for the bible lesson. It was fine, but I just got really, really hot there. I had been really cold earlier on in the day. So, after things were over, I went home and took my temperature.

It was 102.7. It started at 100.7, and just progressively got worse. I went to bed early that night, freezing cold, but sweating all night.

I woke up the next morning and the temperature had passed. I wrote it off as some kind of freak thing that happened, and went to work. After work, I went to the Limestone Medical Aid Unit. I met a really nice Nurse Practitioner. I peed for them, and then was prescribed an antibiotic. I went to work the next morning like normal, went to get labs drawn, Panera, then class.

Thursday I went to work, but noticed my hands were very bumpy and itchy. I showed a nurse and asked her what it was. She said that I should go home, and also that I should see a doctor.

So, here I am, don't rock me like a hurricane. I have been house-bound for about a day and a half. I am going stir-crazy.

When life hands you lemons...make lemonade, right?

been awhile...

I was reading an article on the internet about blogging, and how to properly do it. It said that you should blog every day, and be consistent with it.

I have to disagree on this one. Blogging means so many different things to so many different people. Some people blog to let loose, and let their feelings flow. Some people blog because they want their ideals out there. I blog simply because it makes me happy. I get to let the world(or whoever might read this), know how I feel, and what I want to do about it...which is nothing, but it is interesting to think about the rules of blogging.

I don't agree that there should be "rules". I mean, I read the blog of a guy that I met, and it was extremely cynical with a link to the anarchist's cookbook and things like that. Not my style...

It is so simple to just blog. No rules...no pre-conceived notions. Just good...clean...fun.

Well, something else I have been thinking about has been bothering me. So, as a Christian, I am supposed to leave the judging to God, right?

Well, I am also human. I do my best not to judge people, but when I get cut-off on the highway, and under my breath call that person an a**hole, that is my human nature taking over. It is so engrained in our society that it is okay to do that. It is not. How can I stop myself? Why is it that this is so hard?

God help me...and he will.

new friends...

So, I had the day off yesterday, and I think I wrote two blog entries...

I am wondering how I can get a website address that includes my name. Something like www.rachelcoates.com, or something along those lines.

That would be really really fun.

Do we ever really know that we are all constantly searching for new things.

I am constantly on the search for new people to touch their lives in a very positive way.

I am hoping that Bill keeps coming to kinship. He came out last night, and we had a really good talk today over lunch. He is a good guy. I am really glad that Debbie found him. They both are awesome people, that I love very much.

I need to take more pictures. I realized this when I was trying to use my camera. Thank God I found all the pieces that I needed for it.

more complicated then it has to be...

In my person opinion, I feel that God has made things simple for us. Love and worship Him, and he will be there for us. He wants us to serve him. Not for any other reason then the world needs it, and it is part of the Great Commission.

This book, Stumbling on Happiness that I am reading, is making me think. I am listening to it, right now, laying on my bed. There really is no other reason that I can blame the complication of life, then the fall of man. When Eve bit into the apple, it brought silly things into the world. Things like confusion, car accidents, alexithymia, or silly psychological studies that really have nothing to do with anything.

Most psychological experiments, in my humble opinion, are proven wrong on a regular basis. You might have 100 people that all believe that the earth is flat. Psychologists do studies on these people, and may even send a satellite into space to prove them wrong. But then after this whole big expensive study is done, they find 200 people that believe it is a square. More satellites come...more psychologists, and their mediums come along. Things are proven right and wrong. Other things are proven a moot point.

Does it all really matter. I have chosen to be a very simple person. I don't need much to be a happy person. I mean, life has its trials and troubles, but overall, I am happy. I live my life for others. I want to help people, I want to hang out with the kids around me, and I also want to do many things before I die. I do not have things that I need in the morning to wake up. I enjoy a good cup of coffee, but I am perfectly fine with what my Mom makes in the morning. I have no problems at all with being stuck at my job, with nothing to wear or shower with.

Things are much more readily available than we want to believe. It is simple...

Here's to my sanity...

I am off today. Nothing is going on, except that I have class tonight. It is good to have days off during the week.

That means that I am going to work weekends now. Scary! This Thursday, I am going to classes to get DuPont certified as a nurse's aide. I am somewhat excited about it. I mean, if I am eventually going to become a nurse, I have to start somewhere, right?

So, I am going to get trained on wiping butts, and feeding babies. I am working with Jason. This means that I am getting gowned up and going into rooms. Finally, I am going to be shown how to do things.

It is exciting to me, and I am not sure why I mean there is no reason for me to truly be excited. It is not a pay raise, or anything really special. I am just doing a different job.

I just feel that we can be very complacent in our jobs, and our lives. It is not that I don't like my job, I am just very bored with it sometimes. I also have class during the week, and do not sleep very much when I am Monday-Friday all the time.

Monday-Friday, 7-3. I feel like it was the job that everyone wanted on the unit. All the aides would talk about how that is what they wanted, and I was the one that had it, but I was just frustrated with the whole thing. By Friday, it was like I entered into another world as a Zombie. I can't stand having days that seem like they never end. I am hoping that this will change, and I will not have to take as many vacations to even stay afloat.

And now for something completely different...

Men's body wash commercials...

I think men's body wash commercials are hilarious. It wasn't a minute after Dove came out with their men's body wash that another brand was on TV saying "Do you want to smell like some bird? Smell like a real man." The bottle that was on the screen was gray just like the Dove, and it had a lighter gray random bird on it that purposefully was not a Dove. I mean really, they compare that soon.

I think it is silly in society that we all are comparing one thing to the other. People have preferences...and that is cool. I don't really care. I am a Honda and Mac fan. You might be a Toyota, and Dell fan. I have my opinions about both, and you have your opinions about both. Do you see the pattern. I will never buy another PC again, because I have fully switched over to a Mac. I had a bad experience with one, and am sick of them needing to be fixed all the time. I buy a Mac, and it just works. Now you might have had a wonderful experience with Dell. Maybe you bought one with Windows 7, and love it. That is wonderful.

Do you get my point? We are silly as a society. I hope that you can look at yourself and laugh. I know that I do. I laugh at myself...don't worry, its not at you.

Hello my fellow earthlings...

Sometimes it is so hard to me to be able to just do very simple things that someone else may be able to do very easily.

And when I say this I am taking about getting rid of clothes, or getting rid of older things. I wish that I could just pay someone that would do it for me. I hate cleaning my room, because it means that I have to think about what is really important to me. Everything is important to me! From the teddy bear that a friend gave me 10 years ago, to the Hallmark card that someone took the time to go to the store and buy me after my Father passed away.

I wouldn't say that I am a packrat exactly, but I need assistance. Anyone want to help?

Although, there is probably not too many people reading this because I do not publicize the blog. All it is right now, is me using someone's template, and me writing down very random thoughts that I obtain through my life. It is a way for me vent to the world, and yet a place for me to find a little bit of sanity, in this insane place that I call earth.

So, today, my nephew grabbed some really random object and began imitating Biz Markieon Biz's Beat Of The Day on Yo Gabba Gabba. It was pure hilarity...Imagine the little guy at the top with a short wand of some sort that came from a game he has imitating is..

The previous entry is just a cute video that I want to keep somewhere. I loved it, and wanted you all to see it...that is if anyone is reading this right now...

Not sure if this is going to work...

Pondering...

So for school, I am reading a book called "Stumbling on Happiness". It is a book by an Ivy League school professor, that actually admits to not having it all together. His name is Daniel Gilbert.

He admits to loving God, and being loved by God, and he also admits that he may not be right.

The book is expanding his primary thought base of everyone having different definitions of happiness. Some look at their eternal happiness, while other are looking for their immediate happiness.

It got me thinking. I noticed that in many aspects of my life, I focus on the things that people have not done, instead of the wonderful things that they have done.

It is kinda like when your friend gives you a hug for doing something for them, but then asks later why you didn't do it sooner, or why the present you got them wasn't the other thing.

Why are we not happy as a society about what we have. What are we constantly looking for the next best thing? Daniel Gilbert calls it "Nexting". I think I mentioned it in another blog post.

I just wonder why when I am at work, and have done a bunch of stuff for the unit, I get asked why something was not done.

It is really annoying me. Every single one of us does it in one way or another.

Often times we don't realize that we are doing it. Instead of criticizing, I say that we should try being thankful when someone does something for you.

What do you think?

new friends...

It is such a strange feeling logging onto my computer. I have it pre-programmed with all my passwords, and all of my person information. It is like it knows me that well. I am glad to have it. It feels like a new friend that I am getting to know quite well.

Have you ever just been sick of people? I mean, I just get sick of people, and sick of myself. I get sick of myself in my own skin. Not that I want to completely transform into someone else, I just want to do it for like a day or two. Someone really interesting, like The Dalai Llama(SP?). Anyway, it would just be interesting to see the world through someone else's eyes for a day. Dontcha think?

I got that spelling from the ever-loved Pussycat Dolls song. Stupid Pussycat Dolls.

Anyway, yesterday was my first day back to work...also Debbie's birthday...and also the last day of the East End's existence.

That is so weird how that place just up and closed. Even people that go there all the time did not know it was going to close.

Weird.

All my troubles seem so far away...

Yesterday...

Did you know that the song "yesterday" is one of the most covered songs ever?

I love that song...even the version that Boyz II Men did on their "II" album.

I love having a laptop, can I tell you. Yesterday, I was showing my Mom the video that I made of my niece, and also telling her that my full intention is to buy her a Mac Mini. I was showing her how much easier a Mac is then using a PC. It just works.

Anyway, but it was just great being able to go and get it from my room, bring it into hers and let her see.

Well, last night I went to a worship conference. I am not sure why I was picturing a mega-church when Jason was talking about it.

It was a smaller church, in Perkasie, PA. All the chairs were cleared out, and all it was, was them playing worship songs that they wrote....or God wrote for them. It was really awesome. They closed with a silly song. It kinda reminded me of something that should be on the Veggie Tales DVD "Silly Songs with Larry". They called it the Doot Doot song.

I failed miserably at fasting. I was praying, however. I drank water, and then went from there. It was at dinner that I caved. We were about to leave for the worship conference, and I caved on my way there. Wawa just looked sooooooooooo good. I think anything would have looked good, but it looked especially good, because I had been fasting for all that time.

The worship was just wonderful. They are going to have more, and I will invite all those that might enjoy it out!

Thanks for listening...

I am discovering more and more people that have a blog. It is kind of fun to have one...to be a part of an ever-expanding community of people that share a little piece of their lives with everyone.

I would say that this makes them a pretty transparent person...wouldn't you?

I mean some people have beautiful words to say, and wonderful ways of saying it.

Then there is people like me, that just blog what is on their mind.

My Aunt Wanda blogs about the family that she hangs out with all the time. She spend a lot of time with the kids, so there are plenty of pictures of them, and also the gorgeous town that she lives in.

I don't know any cool HTML, to put cool stuff on it. I am not sure if I want to learn. I made a webpage before, for my school many years ago, and I won 3rd place in the whole state. Well, I made it with two other classmates, my teacher, and my teacher's son.

Moving right along...

It is weird to me to think that people are actually reading my blog. People promote their blogs. I went to a writer's conference a couple years ago, and met a lot of people at the workshops. It was interesting to see that there were some truly professional writers that had business cards and everything. These people were serious about their promotion. I noticed, from all the cards that I received that most had VistaPrint.com on the back...they are free!!! I also noticed that all of them had blogs.

I know that lots of people have had them for years, and years, but it is something new to me that I am really enjoying.

Thanks for listening...

I love my friends...

Today started off as kind of a weird day.

I made my first movie on IMovie. It is so much fun to see the final product!

Then just messed around on my computer for a little while before taking a shower. I ate a little bit of breakfast beforehand, and enjoyed a little bit of peace. I then got ready to go to Jason and Susan's house to hang out with her and the kids.

It was weird, because of the coffee I drank, without eating lunch. It hit my stomach hard. I am still feeling the after-effects. I had some chicken nuggets that Susan made, and Zoe partook in them with me. It was a nice afternoon with Susan, Jonas, Zachy, and Zoe. Keisha and her Mom came too. Keisha's Mom left, but we all ended up talking and hanging out.

I unfortunately had to head to class. I just continued doing what I was doing with my work. I have one section of Chapter 9 left, and then I am done. Thank God! Halfway there!

I went back to Jason and Susan's house for knitting group, which actually just ended up being all of us kinda hanging out, and looking up stuff on our laptops.

You should do a google search for Kittens inspired by kittens. It is hilarious! Zoe was very entertained by it. Youtube gets kind of addicting.

I took Keisha and Nyeesha(sp?) home, and I just got here. I will tell you one thing, I am about to pass out!

Have a good night everyone, and BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS!!!

Concerned for the friends in my life...

My life, right now, is fairly boring. I have no drama going on. I go to work, school, and overall enjoy my life.

My main problem is that I care deeply about everyone around me. It isn't really a problem, really. It is just something that does keep me up at night.

I worry about people. I worry about the things that they are experiencing. I pray a lot about things. Not necessarily for myself...mostly for other people. I care that they are going through things.

Everyone has things...I understand that. My mind gets inundated with thoughts about what their minds must be thinking.

I have friends going through divorces, deaths in the family, boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, and many, many other things that I don't know how it feels.

I don't come from a broken home. Well, except my Dad was sick for most of my life, and only saw him that way.

We all have situations in our lives that we can blame for what and who we have become. Some are good, and some are bad.

I just pray that the woman I have become is a reflection of the One that created me. I can't do anything with Him. I know that not all of my friends that may or may not be reading this are Christians. But really if you know me at all, you would know that I am a Christian.

I am also very concerned with this storm. Are we supposed to get a lot?

Hopefully not. I thought about changing my blog name to Mental Diarrhea. What do you think?

snow again?????????

I realize that I always forget to title my blog posts. That is a defect of my personality. I am a pretty transparent person, and do not need to title things.

Really....snow is coming??

I woke up this morning, and synced my IPod with my new computer...and it got erased. I am a little annoyed, and VERY frustrated.

Yesterday, I had a pretty nice day, of getting things done. I went to the eye doctor. Apparently, my eyes have gotten a little worse, so he decided that I needed a new prescription. I wanted the anti-reflictive coating, and also transition lenses. Thank God for Flexible Spending Cards, because it was $383 after I was done. How crazy is that?!?! I would not be able to afford that...not even a little bit.

I then left there, and went to Famous Dave's. After that, I left there, and got a manicure. Every so often, I like to feel like a girl, and get them done. They look nicer when they are done, and I enjoy talking to the people. Except yesterday, there was a small younger Asian guy there. He was hitting on everyone, and asking them out. He was doing it in a joking manner, but it was somewhat creepy.

I don't know if there is something wrong with me, or if I just have some self respect, but it makes me sad how much women fall for it. I mean I am single...and cool with it. Sometimes I have my moments of weakness where I really want to find someone because I am lonely. I might be alone, but I am far from lonely. I have friends, family, and most of all, God!

Then I went to Panera, got a drink, and talked with Justin for a little while. I went to class from there, and kinship after that. I brought my tower to give to Jimmy. No more PC! I am all Mac now! I am glad that I found something great to do with my computer, such as giving it to the outreach.

Kinship was good, but I am immensely sad that Debbie is moving to NY this weekend. I know that she will be back, but it won't be the same.

Having a computer back is such a wonderful thing. I dropped mine off for the data transfer at the Apple Store. For some reason, my ITunes were there, but they would not play, so I deleted everything, and imported things again. I probably could have done that myself in the first place, but its all good. I had a very busy birthday weekend, so I probably wouldn't have been around it anyway.

I know that I have not blogged in a couple days. I think that word blog is a funny one. I mean, its kinda like facebooking, or twittering. These websites have created words. Blogging, thankfully, encompasses many websites where this verb can be accomplished.

So, this weekend was fun. I turned 26. Of course, the festivities had to include on Friday going to the pub. I invited 50 people, and about 10 showed up. Debbie drove me, but I didn't really need to be driven, I didn't drink that much. Although beforehand, we went to pregame at Starbucks, and got stuck in some snow. A nice man dug us out.

Saturday I went to the women's spa day at church, and then went to the Apple Store for a One to One appointment. It was fun. Kenny met me at the mall, and we went to Potstickers for dinner because Firebirds had a 2 and a half hour wait. We saw Shutter Island after that.

Sunday, I went to church with Michelle. It was also the day of my actual birthday She picked me up in her brand new car! I am very excited for her! Afterwards, after hanging out for awhile, I left with Jimmy, Trent, Lamar, and Mariah...we went to Cocco's Pizza for some birthday lunch. Jenna and Heather closely followed.

Jimmy dropped off the kids, and then took me home with a birthday slice. I then got into my car to go out to East End to see Jessica and Shane play. That was fun. I left there with Debbie and Bill and we went out to a diner on 896.

Monday was spent cleaning and doing laundry. I had dinner with Kim, and picked up my computer at the Apple Store.

here I am again...

Here I am...blogging again.

This new computer has been awesome so far. I love my Mac!!!

So, I had class tonight. My teacher at the beginning of the semester told me that she was worried about me. It has been close to 10 years since I have taken a math class, so it is kind of a reality check for me. I mean, this is going to require some studying and possibly some tutoring. I am muddling through it, but it is rough.

Anyway, so a couple people in my class have professed that this is very easy for them. I, on the other hand, knew that this was going to be challenging. So...we are getting to chapters that I am familiar with, and can muddle pretty well through them. Anyway, so I have an 84 average on my tests, and am really far ahead on my homework. I was excited to learn this because it is a challenging thing for me to try.

As long as I pass, I will get reimbursed for it, that is all I am really worried about.

I am also very puzzled by someone that is "following" me on here. They go by the handle SE. I know people with those initials, but according to their profile, they are an atheist, and seem like an interesting person. I am not an atheist, for this that might be reading this, and not know me. My blog is not publicized, and isn't anything special. It is just me rambling, so I am not sure how anyone would really read it.

Anyway, so this person is the only one following me. I wonder if they are reading this right now. Atheism fascinates me. I mean, I don't judge them or anything. I just wonder what they see. Everywhere I look, God is there. I love talking to them and listening to what an atheist says. Is that weird?

I am tired...time for bed. Goodnight everyone!

Nothing special resides here...

I am not good with HTML. I am not gonna profess to have a cool blog, or do cool things.

I am Rachel Marie Coates. I live in Delaware. I am a girl, with girly feelings. I get all nervous around boys I like. I am confident in the person that God has created me to be.

I am nothing special, unless we are talking about what God has made me to be, because he makes nothing imperfect, or worth no value. I find my identity in who I think I am, not who you think I am.

Lately, I have noticed that people are always "nexting"(a term from Stumbling On Happiness"). We are always looking forward to what is next. We want to get off of work, go to bed, wake up get ready for the job that we hate, and start the vicious cycle all over again. I, thankfully, do not hate my job. I enjoy what I do. I mean, I would much rather be sleeping in, or going to school full time, but alas, I have to work.

People are always looking for the end of the work day, or waiting for the weekend. I want to be able to wrap my head around that statement. What about the here and now? Why can't we live for the moments that we can enjoy work? Why do people work jobs that they mildly tolerate, and spend all day wishing that they were somewhere else?

How can the husband and wife that got married because they felt they had to be happy when they are not in love anymore? Why is no one satisfied with their lives?

I admit that I am not happy with mine. I am turning 26, and have nothing to show for it. I do not have a degree, a husband, or any kids. On the other hand, I think that if all people were like that, life would get kinda boring. I live at home, but I am also in school, hoping to get an education that will lay the foundation for the rest of my life.

Whoa, this is getting kinda deep. I need to sleep, my pillow is calling my name.

Have a great night everyone!

It has been since February 11th that I have posted anything...it is the17th. I am slacking! Phew!

Anyway, so much has happened in these last couple days.

I already told you about getting stuck at work...I think. I slept in the patient room at the hospital.

Monday I got pulled to PICU, which was a nice welcomed change of pace. I kinda enjoyed it.

Over the weekend, I didn't do much. I was kept up all night on Friday night for a stupid reason, so all day Saturday I just kinda hung out with the family. On Sunday, I had kinship, and got a sweet Valentine from Trish.

No, Valentines Day isn't hard for me because I am single. I celebrate love everyday...not just on February 14th. I think that love AND life should be celebrated at all times. Don't you?

Anyway, after kinship, I left and came home. I didn't want to do anything else really besides relax, and spend time with my family.

After work on Monday, however, I went to go see the movie Valentines Day. There were parts of it that were mildly entertaining, but it was nothing special. Kenny sweetened the deal by taking me to FIREBIRDS! I love that place.

Anyway, so my birthday is 4 days away. I really have not too much planned. I am just headed to the pub on Friday night, and then have the women's spa, and hanging out with Kenny on Saturday. Sunday is my actual birthday. Who knows what madness might ensue!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I know that most of the northeast is covered in a big white fluffy and slippery blanket of snow. Many people are probably blogging about how they shoveled all night to get out, and about how they are very sore from shoveling...

And then there is me...I was stuck at work until today. I got to work, and clocked in at 7:02am on Wednesday morning. My little-engine-that-could car drove into work. The weather looked horrendous when I was there, and I was nervous about driving home. The National Guard was sending people away. It was a sight to be seen. So, Susan(a nurse I work with), and I took over a room on the unit. I slept in my work clothes that day, and got a change of clothes from the OR locker room. I ended up sleeping on a hospital bed, and she slept on a cot. It was very interesting to be sleeping at work. It was a sight to be seen.

In the morning, at around 5:20, I took a shower there, and the showers are for kids, so that made it interesting. I don't think I got all the shampoo out of my hair. It was good though. I really got to see people doing "Whatever It Takes" to make sure the kids get taken care of.

I mean, there were people that slept there that had not left since Monday night because they were on snow crew. Guys that came in Tuesday, and still have not left. Even a couple of the people from Nursing Administration came over to thank us for coming in and staying. Of course, all that I got was a meal ticket...but every little bit counts.

Anyway, have you ever had cabin fever when you haven't left the house for a couple days, and just have to go somewhere? I felt like that this morning. This morning as I took a shower in that patient room, using hospital toiletries, and towels that were on the linen cart to wash up. I also needed to leave. Today at work, as I was exhausted from a very bad night of sleep(I do not sleep in strange places well), I just had to leave. I walked up front and had to get out. I did my job to the best of my tired ability, and once 3pm came around, I left!

It was one of the best times I remember of walking out of work. Nothing happened, except for pulling out of the parking garage. I drove around, and went home. I discovered the roads are horribly plowed, but it could be much, much worse. I pulled up to the house, and there were only huge snow piles...no parking spaces. I looped around, and then pulled into the driveway.

I was finally.....home.

Hey blog...I should name you. How about Regina? LOL, just kidding.

Whats new?? Well, New York, New Jersey, and New Mexico.

Today was not all that interesting or fun. I am starting to wear scrubs to work. A lot of people complimented my top that I was wearing. I thought it was kinda funny.

Not that I ever was "dressed to impress"...especially not at work. Wearing scrubs meant that I really need to not care about work clothes. I needed to get over myself, one way or the other.

I went to work this morning, and that seemed uneventful. I worked for 8 hours, and went home. Well, my definition of me going home is not really home at all. I went to Panera, because I thought that we still had class. I got a message saying that the Del Tech Stanton Campus was going to close at 6pm. Well, that really stinks, considering that my class is at 5:00. I went to the building, and got inside, and went to the classroom. My teacher did not show up.

So, I e-mailed my teacher, and left it at that. I also went the extra step, and e-mailed her twice.

I needed to pick up some oatmeal...so I had to go to the grocery store. That was a HUGE mistake. I waited in line with my arms weighed down for about 45 minutes. I had two big containers of oatmeal, bananas, and a box of cereal. It doesn't seem like that much, until you hold it for that long. It probably was the weight of a nice and healthy 6 month old baby. I love babies, but definitely can't hold them for that long. It was a relief to checkout, and get out of there. My arms are still hurting.

I am ready for bed, and it is only 7pm. Weird. Well 7:07 to be exact.

I was just thinking today how all the stores are out of milk, bread, and eggs when a snowstorm is predicted. I wonder if french toast is on the menu for the next morning.

I unfortunately have to work, and don't plan on having any time in the morning for much fun. I have to go in any way, as everyone in a hospital is considered essential hospital personnel.

Pray that we don't get as much as they predicted.

I haven't posted in a couple days...mostly because I am just getting used to blogging.

I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I got into a train wreck or something. It just so happened that over the weekend, we got almost 30 inches of snow.

School was cancelled yesterday for the kids, and also at Del Tech. Today, they are opening at 9:30. We are supposed to get another snow that should start about the time that I get off work, or maybe an hour or two later. I do have class tonight. I would be very surprised if they didn't cancel.

This snow has been called "Snowmageddon", which is kinda funny. I didn't know snow could end the world, but may Jesus will come back, and he is really hiding in the snow. After it starts to melt, he will appear.

That would be a wonderful thing, but not at all realistic. He would be freezing cold...he would probably have hypothermia.

I will still have to go to work, no matter what, because of the snow.

Oh well. I am just praying that it is not as bad as they said it was going to be. I am still hurting from the last round of shoveling. I don't know if I can handle any more.

I didn't post something yesterday. I am still getting used to the whole blogging thing.

Well...the snow hit. All 30 inches of it!!!!!! Today will be the digging out day. Thank God for my brother for doing a lot of the work today. I was getting a lot of other very random work done around my room.

I did laundry, homework, and relaxed. I still have the chapters of my book to read, and thats about it. I just wanted to take a day and do nothing but work.

My period started, and when that is going on I feel the need to get my homework done. Oh well. I didn't even take a shower yesterday, because I spent so much time online.

What did you do?

I also spent a significant part of the day chatting online. I used Skype! I talked to Karyn for about an hour!

Which brings me to my next topic: communication.

We talked about this in my reading class. How communication has changed over the years. Almost no one has a house phone anymore. Not that many people even talk on phones anyway. Lots of texting happens. Texting has revolutionized communication as a whole. I don't really want to have a conversation with you. Instead, I will just text you the small thing that I have to tell you so we don't really have to talk.

I feel like we have lost a sense of communication with people in one sense, yet in another...like last night. Karyn called me, and we talked on the computer for over an hour. I met her friend that came over, and I also made some plans with her. Weird. It was weird seeing someone that is in Australia, and have a great conversation with her!

So, technology in some ways has enhanced technology, but in another way it has diminished it. No one writes letters anymore when they can just e-mail. It is sad.

Hi, my name is Rachel...

Hey world!

My name is Rachel. I do not plan on putting this blog on blast or anything. If you find it, feel free to read it, and follow along.

I am a 25 year old girl. I live at home, with the definite possibility of becoming a nurse and not really wanting to have a "home" because I want to be a missionary. At least for a good portion of my life, that is what I would like to do.

Well, I live in Delaware. Made famous by such movies as Wayne's World and Fight Club. It is a small state, very quaint. Well, not exactly quaint. It has it's "hood" area, and a good mixture of other things. There is not that much to do here. I mean, just hanging out with friends and going out to eat is always fun. I tend to frequent pubs and many other fun places to just kinda relax.

But alas, today would be the exception. It is snowing right now. I work a 7am-3pm shift on most days. So, getting out of work early is not an option for me. I left at 3:15, and didn't look back. Work was interesting however, because I just began wearing scrubs.

Scrubs are amazing. They are like wearing your pajamas to work, all the time. It is fabulous! I just don't think I have found the right ones for me yet. Do they make bootcut long scrubs? Is that an odd question.

I left work today, and went to Trader Joe's. It was so funny. The lines were insane, and so was the crowd. I was in there for all of 10 minutes, and then drove to get gas. There were really long lines at all the gas stations too. I was highly amused at the whole ordeal. I mean really, all the stores were out of milk, bread, and eggs. I guess when it snows french toast is for breakfast? Weird.

Now, I am home, bored and blogging. This is my first entry to my blog. I hope to stick with this, as this is going to be a therapy for me. I tend to think all day...as most normal people do...about very random things. No one really wants to listen to my ramblings, so for that I will post them here.

Thank you blogger for being there when no one else is!