New Home

Well, in a whirlwind of a weekend, I have moved out of my parents' house and found a place of my own! I'm so excited! It couldn't be a better situation. It's very small but is perfect for me- and in a much safer area than my last place.

I own very little furniture- it definitely looks like a college kid's apartment more than anything. Once I get things set up I'll post pictures. This is about all I'm going to write because I'm posting from my phone since I haven't set up Internet.

That's all. :)

I finally upgraded my cell phone (yay!) and can actually put more apps and music onto it. I've been operating by the old 3GS and unable to really do much more than make calls, text, or browse facebook. I have had Netflix awhile and finally put the app on my phone. Probably the best and worst thing, because now I have too many TV shows and movies at my fingertips. I watched That Thing You Do at work this week during down time. Now I'm into The Kennedys. Very interesting. Makes me so fascinated with the '60s. (And I LOVE Greg Kinnear!) Also, I'm now into How I Met Your Mother.

Work has been good to me this week, from the extremes of crazy and exhilaratingly busy, to a chill, slow night on Thursday. I'm precepting a student as well, which is good. Hoping that it goes well.

Well I thought I would get on here today and have plenty to say, but I really don't. I'm ready for the weekend and some chill-time.

Realist Nat is back! ;)

I had a fantastic two nights of work this week. They were actually among the busiest I've had, but for some reason were different in that I felt like I got to do REAL nursing (instead of dealing with some of the nonsense I often do) and make a real difference. Like because I was there, my patients were truly better off. Wow! I walked away from work yesterday morning actually thinking to myself, I love my job!

I went to Starbucks with my mom, brother, Mrs. Kercher, and Lauren today. While we were there, a massive truck pulled into the spot next to my car and hit my sideview mirror. Lauren and I went outside to look at it, and it was fine. Lauren was more mad than I was. As long as there's not damage, I felt like no harm done and it doesn't make sense to be a jerk about it. (maybe I'm just a pushover? If damage was done I would definitely have been mad) The guys in the truck felt really badly and bought me a Starbucks gift card as an apology. I thought that was really nice. Then an old lady came up to me and said to get his plate number, because people lie to you about their name, even after I told her no damage was done. She seemed really miffed that I disregarded her advice, but I did eventually get it just in case. Everything works fine, however, and I got a $15 Starbucks money out of it.

My ankle is ok. Still sore and still pretty swollen, but as long as I keep it wrapped and ice it often, I do ok. I can walk on it and I'm glad for that.

Who doesn't love a beautiful wedding, seeing the happy couple, a beautiful reception, open bar, and a party with a bunch of friends?

I just came back from one of my high school friends' weddings. Get ready, cause this is a Natalie you don't get to see that often.

It really was a beautiful wedding. I don't know if I've ever seen a couple who looked so happy with each other. Watching her walk down the aisle and seeing the smile on her face, I did have a little twinge of wondering, will someone ever make me smile that way, or look at me the way that he looks at her? I honestly do not dwell on things like this, or worry myself about it very often. Feelings like this are like passing thoughts, but I do feel that I should acknowledge them because fleeting though they may be, they are very real.

When it comes to marriage, I do feel like it's not going to happen. I'm not hopeless about it, because I am ok being single. I know who I am and can be who I am whether it's on the arm of a man or not. I don't even want this to go into a pity party, because that's not what it is. It is just me being unusually wistful mixed with a little realism.

I like seeing other people happy, I really do, even if it doesn't seem that way sometimes.

Don't worry. The more realistic Natalie will be back soon.

I woke up Wednesday morning with a very sore back. By Wednesday night it was so bad I couldn't go to work. I still couldn't go back last night.

So while I'm home from work last night, I was walking into my room to give water to my cat, when the next thing I know my left ankle is turning, I hear something cracking, water is being thrown into the air, and I'm completely wiped out on the floor. I was almost in tears, it hurt so badly. I was positive it was broken, or at the very least sprained.

It isn't swollen in the least, which I can't figure out. I think I tore or stretched a ligament somewhere, or pulled something out of joint because if I even so much as lean slightly back on my leg, it feels like something is about to tear in my ankle. Yikes, I should probably go to the doctor but I feel like it's really not so bad.

So that is the latest update in the excitement of my life. My back feels a little better today. Tomorrow I'll be going to the wedding of one of my high school friends. Today I think I need to get a dress for it, because I just realized that I don't own more than two dresses. I really don't like wearing dresses or skirts, never have. Give me a big comfy pair of baggy sweats and hoodie. Sex-ay! And I really do like dressing girly, but for some reason dresses just annoy the heck out of me.

Happy weekend!

I'm not a fan of resolutions, however, after reading Real Simple today I came up with what may qualify as one. Though I still don't like to call it that. An article in this month's magazine spoke about "rumination," which is basically recalling moments of the past, over-analyzing them, wondering if that's why you are the way you are, etc...

Rumination is said to be closely linked to depression.

I realized how much I do this, some of which has been influenced by those close to me, but that it is a real problem in my life (one that can be anxiety-inducing and--yes, depression-inducing if I'm not careful). In relation to my last couple of posts, I'm learning to acknowledge those things, but to look at myself right now; to take ownership of who I am and not blame.

Call it a New Year's resolution if you will, however it is simply a resolution in relation to current circumstances and in taking care of myself to keep away from a path I do not want to follow. In several ways, I have felt I am at a crossroads in life these past months, and I know the one I do not want to choose.

Another thing, influenced by Real Simple, is I am resolving to nix the negativity. Especially when it comes to facebook and how I project myself, but I figure I should probably practice that in life as well. We'll see how it goes, though please don't expect perfection out of it. My sister recently pointed out to me that one of her friends, also a nurse (though arguably in a less stressful field), told her that I complain too much on facebook. I was kind of ticked off, and still am, but decided that to a degree, she was right. I realize that people can't take comments and statuses in the context that I am writing them, and how it truly could sound extremely negative. And that the negative comments stand out above many of my other more positive, upbeat status updates.

I am proud to say that I am home from vacation, having worked two nights so far, and am not sick. It seems whenever I travel, (especially to a colder climate) I am prone to get sick when I come home. Even being around a few little snotty noses up north, I was able to avoid it. Hurrah! And I did NOT get my flu shot (though I may have already had the flu in October).

Happy New Year!