If you haven't had a chance to watch the guinea pigs pick a winner over on Skinny Piggie's Blog... I highly recommend it. Not only because it is just about the silliest way I have ever won a contest-but there are also links to some other girls weddings and they are super fun to look to at. (I just love wedding photos)
http://skinniepiggie.blogspot.com/2010/05/military-wedding-week-contest_17.html
Anyhow-Thanks to Skinny Piggie for the fun contest. It was just icing on the cake to win a treat after getting to brag about my wedding. I needed a little pick me up and it def put a smile on my face. Hope everyone is having a good Monday. I am back to work tonight. Now that I got to vent about my situation I am feeling a little better. Thanks for reading and for the support. I will post a picture of my super cool prize from Skinnie Piggie when it arrives.
5.16.2010
Lost: Work Mojo
LOST: Perfectly good job-provided self esteem, good pay and friendship. Last seen in Long Beach, Ca in December 2009. Please call if found-(It's definitely not in Hawaii.)
Have I mentioned I really hate my new job? I think my disenchantment with this island mostly has to do with my disdain for my job. I used to love what I did for a living. I used to feel like I made a difference. Since I moved to Hawaii I've been doing what respiratory therapists refer to as "floor work". Now I don't mean to belittle the importance of taking care of moderately ill patients, there is value in this kind of work too-but I am used to working with critically ill patients, patients who are relying on me to keep them breathing. I am also used to having a certain level of interaction with doctors and nurses who respect respiratory therapists. I was really excited to start my new job, I had been missing working so much. Back home I got so much satisfaction from my job and the first few months in Hawaii had been so rough on us that going back to work meant that I would get at least some normalcy back in my life. I knew going in that my last job was pretty cushy-we had a great crew, the RN's were good, really good and the docs loved the RT's. We made decisions for patients as a team, we worked as a team-kids got better because of our team. Sadly I am not finding that to be the same situation at my new job. I am also totally frustrated with how far behind their medical pratices are here in Hawaii. I see so many opportunities for this place to try something new, I keep suggesting new methods of therapies-but it all falls on deaf ears. They are so attached to their old school ways here. The docs have zero respect for RT's and the RN's are even worse. The RT's here are constantly talking about how cut throat the department is, how one mistake can cost you your job-there is a total lack of trust among these guys. And to make matters worse I am not a "local" - so they are automatically suspicious of me. So I have been working "floors"-bored out of my mind. To ease childcare issues, I am working nights-7pm-7am-staying awake and fighting off the boredom is killing me!
Yes, I know I am complaining-really I should be happy to have a job. Most of the wives I have met over here have all said that they looked months for a job and if they found employment it was usually a low-paying job. I am struggling with the realization that my self worth is no longer to be found in my profession. I didn't realize that so much of my self esteem came from my job. Being good at what I did really got me through some rough times in the past. It gave me a chip on my shoulder and swing in my step. Without that boost I admit I haven't been myself-some days are better than others-usually on the days I work I am just so darn grumpy. Even I am sick of me lately . I have come to the conclusion that my career is never going to get back on track and maybe I should go back to school to try get my Masters in a different field. I have lost my work mojo. *sigh*
Have I mentioned I really hate my new job? I think my disenchantment with this island mostly has to do with my disdain for my job. I used to love what I did for a living. I used to feel like I made a difference. Since I moved to Hawaii I've been doing what respiratory therapists refer to as "floor work". Now I don't mean to belittle the importance of taking care of moderately ill patients, there is value in this kind of work too-but I am used to working with critically ill patients, patients who are relying on me to keep them breathing. I am also used to having a certain level of interaction with doctors and nurses who respect respiratory therapists. I was really excited to start my new job, I had been missing working so much. Back home I got so much satisfaction from my job and the first few months in Hawaii had been so rough on us that going back to work meant that I would get at least some normalcy back in my life. I knew going in that my last job was pretty cushy-we had a great crew, the RN's were good, really good and the docs loved the RT's. We made decisions for patients as a team, we worked as a team-kids got better because of our team. Sadly I am not finding that to be the same situation at my new job. I am also totally frustrated with how far behind their medical pratices are here in Hawaii. I see so many opportunities for this place to try something new, I keep suggesting new methods of therapies-but it all falls on deaf ears. They are so attached to their old school ways here. The docs have zero respect for RT's and the RN's are even worse. The RT's here are constantly talking about how cut throat the department is, how one mistake can cost you your job-there is a total lack of trust among these guys. And to make matters worse I am not a "local" - so they are automatically suspicious of me. So I have been working "floors"-bored out of my mind. To ease childcare issues, I am working nights-7pm-7am-staying awake and fighting off the boredom is killing me!
Yes, I know I am complaining-really I should be happy to have a job. Most of the wives I have met over here have all said that they looked months for a job and if they found employment it was usually a low-paying job. I am struggling with the realization that my self worth is no longer to be found in my profession. I didn't realize that so much of my self esteem came from my job. Being good at what I did really got me through some rough times in the past. It gave me a chip on my shoulder and swing in my step. Without that boost I admit I haven't been myself-some days are better than others-usually on the days I work I am just so darn grumpy. Even I am sick of me lately . I have come to the conclusion that my career is never going to get back on track and maybe I should go back to school to try get my Masters in a different field. I have lost my work mojo. *sigh*
5.12.2010
5.11.2010
Military Wedding Week Contest..
Oh gosh, do I love to talk about our wedding. So what if the wedding almost 3 years ago? It was the party of the decade! I am taking full advantage of The Military Wedding Week Contest over on Skinnie Piggie's blog page! I hope to see lots of entries. I love looking at wedding photos, especially ones with beautiful brides and their handsome military hubbies (we all know weddings are better with a groom decked out in his blues, right?)
We got engaged in November of 2006 and decided to have a July wedding. Originally we wanted to have the wedding in my parents backyard, but that idea was quickly squashed by the sheer size of the guest list. A good 80% of the guest list was his family!!! Whoa! I am an only child and I have a small extended family. We had a very small budget and I will forever be proud of my amazing ability to negotiate a lower price for pratically everything. We settled on a restaurant in the Hollywood Hills. Yamashiro's dates back to early Hollywood, you can see all of Los Angeles from it's hilltop location. It is modeled after a Japanese pagoda and had a beautiful koi pond garden setting. David and I love our Los Angeles, I could not have ever imagined a more perfect location than this one.
David and I also love everything asian themed-Anything to do with Japanese culture we really flip for. One of my friends had a cousin that performed with a Chinese Lion Dance group. They offered to do my wedding for almost free! We didn't tell anyone that we had a scheduled a performance with them, so when they came out and performed our guests flipped out! If you haven't ever been to a Chinese New Year festival you most likely aren't too familiar with how awesome these groups are. It typically is accompanied by a drum group, the lion is supposed to bring luck to whoever "feeds" it. The whole performance just took my breath away. It was really special and I don't think it could ever be topped!
I love the color orange, it has great energy. Our colors went perfect with the garden setting, orange and brown. My grandmother made most of the bridesmaids dresses, each one cost about $25.00 for the fabric. I let all the girls pick their own pattern, shoes and accessories. They all added their own personality and I loved what each girl came up with. Everything looked so beautiful with all the green in the garden.
One my best good friends in the world, Roberto, got ordained online and married us. He is a natural at public speaking and has a great sense of humor. He did a great job and it meant so much to me to have one my oldest friends preside over the ceremony. And just to prove what a great presence he has -- he currently can be found on the Ellen Degeneres show! He is her personal chef and does a monthly segment about vegan cooking! I love this guy!
We had quite the party after the wedding, it went well into the night. We sold the bar out that night according to our coordinator. A year later we went back to celebrate our anniversary. When we told our server what we were celebrating she brought half the staff over and they all clapped and celebrated with us. Several of them said they will always remember our wedding, which says a lot considering this restaurant has hosted thousands of events.
Here are some of my favorite photos from that amazingly perfect day.
Well, I can't say I didn't warn you-- I love talking about our wedding. I can't wait to see everyone else's photos!
5.10.2010
Operation Doggie Delivery is a Success!!
I think champagne is in order! After waiting for six month- my pups finally made it to Hawaii. If you know what a pain it is to ship pets to Hawaii then you understand how relieved I am to have this process over with. It was easier to ship our 2000 sq. foot home, all of it's contents and all four of us to Hawaii than it was to ship two 8 year old dogs to here. We had to wait out a 120 day at home quarantine to be able to avoid a 90 day in state kennel quarantine. I visited the in state kennel facility once and it was covered in roaches and smelled horrible. Considering both our mutts are getting up there in age I was really worried they wouldn't even survive the plane ride, I knew they wouldn't survive the quarantine on island. So we made the decision to have them wait out the at home quarantine with Nana. She did a great job making their reservation and shipping them over here successfully. Currently they are busy sniffing and peeing their way through their new backyard and being tortured by our toddler. I finally feel like our family is complete now!
5.09.2010
Happy Mother's Day!
I woke up to flowers, breakfast on the patio and a new bottle of perfume! I love perfume-it always fits no matter how much weight I gain!
About a year ago we bought beach cruisers. We were still in California at the time but we knew we would use the bikes when we got to Hawaii, too. Sadly they have been collecting red dust on the back patio since we moved in-until today! We finally had sunny skies and no plans -- all day! We just rode around post, but it felt really good to get out in the sun and get some fresh air.
Sasha looked so cute! The last time we tried this she wasn't even a year old and she cried most of the ride. This time she only cried because she was ready for a nap.
It didn't last long-she fell asleep really quickly.
This guy thought he was pretty cool with his new glasses.
Dinner is always better served on the patio-
And now, my friends, I am relaxing-The Pacific is on tonight and even though I am pretty sure I know how it ends, I am still excited to watch. Life is good. Hope everyone had a relaxing, peaceful day.
About a year ago we bought beach cruisers. We were still in California at the time but we knew we would use the bikes when we got to Hawaii, too. Sadly they have been collecting red dust on the back patio since we moved in-until today! We finally had sunny skies and no plans -- all day! We just rode around post, but it felt really good to get out in the sun and get some fresh air.
Sasha looked so cute! The last time we tried this she wasn't even a year old and she cried most of the ride. This time she only cried because she was ready for a nap.
It didn't last long-she fell asleep really quickly.
This guy thought he was pretty cool with his new glasses.
Dinner is always better served on the patio-
And now, my friends, I am relaxing-The Pacific is on tonight and even though I am pretty sure I know how it ends, I am still excited to watch. Life is good. Hope everyone had a relaxing, peaceful day.
5.07.2010
If The Army Wanted You to Have a Spouse...
They would have issued you one.... right? In honor of "National Military Spouse Appreciation Day" I just had to throw that out there. This is pretty ironic to me as I was just thinking to myself on my way into work tonight (to work a 12 hour shift after no cat nap today and the washing machine breaking and the kid in trouble at school again and the toddler sick and the housework that got done) that I was feeling a little under-appreciated lately. My husband has been in full "I am the brand new LT" mode at work and just a tad over-zealous to prove himself. Naturally, I am picking up the household slack and still managing to work nights. (Let me formally invite you to the pity party.) Well, now that I know I have a day of appreciation in my honor - I feel better---NOT! In all seriousness, I really think the appreciation belongs to the spouses that are caring for injured Service members. Most are living a life that few can imagine. Part nurse-part spouse, this is a full time labor of love for them. Much love and respect for these gals today.
As for me, I am almost 9 hours into my 12 hour shift. From 0300-0600 I tend to become a zombie. I swear I have nearly fallen asleep while charting once or twice. Working the night shift has really made me re-think my career choice, maybe I should give up patient care and go into something like "landscape architecture".(Nobody dies because their ferns weren't quite placed in the yard right.) I will stumble through my front door in about 5 hours-flop down on the couch, turn on Elmo and pray my daughter lets me get at least an hour of sleep. The washer will still be broken, my son will still be talking back to the teacher, the hubbie will still be hard at work. So it goes. I still love my life, I am fortunate to a healthy hubby who is still on American soil and who I love with all my heart.
As for me, I am almost 9 hours into my 12 hour shift. From 0300-0600 I tend to become a zombie. I swear I have nearly fallen asleep while charting once or twice. Working the night shift has really made me re-think my career choice, maybe I should give up patient care and go into something like "landscape architecture".(Nobody dies because their ferns weren't quite placed in the yard right.) I will stumble through my front door in about 5 hours-flop down on the couch, turn on Elmo and pray my daughter lets me get at least an hour of sleep. The washer will still be broken, my son will still be talking back to the teacher, the hubbie will still be hard at work. So it goes. I still love my life, I am fortunate to a healthy hubby who is still on American soil and who I love with all my heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
