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!