Marcus Visits and Raul turns 32, two months of memories!

October 25th was Raul's 32nd birthday. I got the troops together and we went to a Brazilian Grill called Ipenema. It was sooooo goood!!!! Meat on a stick, how can you go wrong.


I was such the fat kid and couldn't stop eating!

Hope you had a great B-day Raul!

Mid August, my brother Marcus came to visit Seattle. It was so nice to have him up here. He was lots of fun and helped us out tramendously! Thanks Marcus.

We took a Ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island, it was a beautiful sunny day. We ate lunch over at a small bar and grill on the water and walked around the marina and picked out a few boats that we wanted to buy...in our dreams. I think there was a paddle boat docked that was more our price range.

He was amazed with how big the city was and the greenery.

As if I had any hope anyway

The pressure of school and work may take a toll on some, however, I embrace it...and some days I just get through it.

Here is a typical day for me (Which can be very entertaining):
5 am: Alarm....wakes me up with the most annoying buzzing I've ever heard, so what do I do...I slap it in the face and nine minutes later it screams at me again.
5:20: "Alright alarm! I'm up."

Dressed, teeth clean, some sort of breakfast in a bowl a cup of tea and I'm out the door by 5:40. I only have about five or so minutes of mirror time which usually consists of a pony and some sort of head band to hide the crazy morning bangs. The makeup travels with me to work, sometimes it makes an appearance and sometimes (like this morning) doesn't have a chance with my face. Which is too bad, I like makeup.

At Work (Job 1), "Its great to be at Curves!" I listen to all the women. Its pretty interesting hearing stories and complaints. Most these women are the intelligent-stepford-wives type with careers and hobbies and overpower their husband's intelligent. They have me realize that we don't need men around. Women could rule the world, but because of that little necessity of a swimmer to procreate we need you men around. Feministic? Maybe...

Once the sun has come up and my coffee or tea has kicked in (which is an exuberant feeling), I'm off to my next adventure. Here is where it gets fun....and ya'll can sit back and say, "What the hell are you doing Audra?"

Obviously depending on the day of the week, but I either hop my little butt off to Home health care(Job 2), personal training (Job 3), or school! My home health care has been an interesting experience. I basically act as a house cleaner. We joke at our house saying, "How was cleaning?" I seriously clean this man's house for a whopping $12 an hour. NOT a bad deal huh?! I look at it this way, I need the hours for nursing school. Which doesn't really make sense does it? How does house cleaning relate to nursing?

Not sure but, It is what it is. What a great sentence by the way. I believe it is now the most over used sentence for 2009!...But, it is what it is right?!

After scrubbing stoves and floors, or taking my client through a workout, or listening to my psychology teacher...who I will get back to in a minute, lecture on the how we view the world, I drive "In SeAtTlE TRAFFIC" to coach at UW. I'm a volunteer coach for them now and I'm working closely with the multi events....God love 'em!

Oh but wait....it is still going.....now again, depending on the day of the week my evening is devoted to either Physiology class with a lab or Volleyball. Um...can anyone say, crazy? I'll say it: CRRRRRRRRRAZY!

But yet again, It is what it is. I know I'm doing these things for a reason. When I am old I can tell the children, "When I was going to school, I worked four jobs, walked barefoot in the "rain."

When I get home anywhere between 7:30-11 pm, I start making dinner. I try at least.
Well that's it in a nutshell. So where do I find time to study, blog, check my email, facebook a bit, and workout? Not really sure, it just happens. I seem to get it all done.


With these long days and nights, I do a lot of people watching and have many pensive moments. However I don't write much about it bc I'd rather sleep and eat. It is that whole survival thing that takes over. But I can't help but bring up the topic of ADULTHOOD.

To add insult to injury, my instructor for Life Span Psychology told us, Development in Adulthood is so subjective and not canalized, that is why psychologist do not like to study adult development and like to observe the predictable child.

As a child, we do things so systematically. By four months we are beginning to seek attention through promoting our caregiver, by 18 months we are aware of our surrounding and begging to seek proximity in our caregiver that has become our main source of where we receive our food and comfort. In the preschool stages we develop attachment, Freud comes into play here...which will lead to another interesting post that may strike some of you. But I love it. Freudian's are very few and far between but bring up pretty interesting points!

So basically what I'm saying is, as a child we are predictable...this is accepted world wide. We develop language in the same sequence whether we live in Japan or Chile. It has been inscribed in our DNA, through adaptive characteristics. We've got it made as a child. We are cared for, pampered, nurtured, and supported. And then one day, Society decides..."That's enough! You are on your own now! What ever you do has a consequence and it is up to you to decipher right from wrong." If not, you break the social norm....bad, bad, bad.

Holy Shit...does that mean I have to provide for myself? Does that mean I have to work four different jobs in order to survive? Does that mean I have to get a job that in one of the most competitive fields? This sucks!

Society says, "Hey, it is what it is!"

Here is where it completely depletes my hope. Our teacher starts out with, "ADULTHOOD IS MESSY!" Ya think? Adults are so unpredictable and that is why studies have been done about marriage and that so many couple's have one year of happiness and after that it becomes a complete struggle.

What??? So you mean all the love stories and couples that portray a life of sweet bliss in the movies don't model the real love stories and couples? NOPE! 70% or something insane like that result in couple's not making it after the 7th year. Hmmm...so that sucks. Erickson, your intimacy vs isolation was a great idea...thanks a lot.

Now the great thing about this is that you control your own fate and your own destiny. I had a friend just celebrate her 9th year of marriage. So I do believe that the potential of a successful marriage is possible however statistics are an underlining of great ammunition. And also, this is all based on studies for certain groups. Because adults are not as canalized there is so much variation and subjectivity that leaves possibilities for anything to happen. ANYTHING!

So thanks BOB for the great introduction to Adulthood, as if I was gonna have a chance anyway.

Margo...I love you!

Since I’m going home in two weeks, I wanted to borrow Margo’s sick of studying-take it back a few years-hs memories! This is for you little Margo:

1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? Yes...Cleve!
2. WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? Hot pink and blue Geo Tracker.
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY? Yes but I didn’t get my license until I was a Junior (August baby!).
4. WERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? Not really…that came in college…hahaha
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? Yep…oh well.6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR? Nope, that was just not the “cool” thing to do, hey Margo, didn’t Brock play Trupet?!
7. WERE YOU A NERD? A cool nerd with Margo, remember physics and chemistry?
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? Volleyball, Track, and basketball…State Champs, 2002 for Track and Bball!
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED? No, but I did get a detention for wearing a sleeveless dress…I’m such a rebel!11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? SQUIRES.
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? Freshman year: Jennifer Brown’s and Luke’s (El Charro) and Mini Market! Rest of the years went home….Thanks Mom!
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME? Pima High School...
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS? Roughriders...blue and gold.
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU? Naaa, but it was fun.
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION? Right before we walked, I looked at Denise and we both had a tear moment. Oh and Jared Thatcher and Jacob Bryce sprayed silly string everywhere.
18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY? Not sure, can’t remember! Margo? Help?
19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS? Advisory council and I played Club Volleyball (if that counts)20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN? I think I got taller? My guns are bigger….haaahaaa!
21. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? F: Waylon Smith, S: Brock Brown J & S: Cleve. However I wanted to go with Jacob Bryce that year…but he wouldn’t ask me…I was pretty bummed out, so I had to ask Cleve. LAME!
22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION? Yes, can’t wait to see what Margo has planned.
23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? DQ baby
24. WERE YOU AN HONOR STUDENT? No
25. DID YOU TAKE SEMINARY? Um no, but I did get treats from friends who had to bring them for seminary. Margo’s lemon squares…yum.
26. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST FUN TIME? Winning State in Basketball and driving home from a football game in Duncan in Margo’s mustang….I’m sworn to secrecy for the rest of the story.
27. WERE YOU CONSIDERED SHY OR OUTGOING? LOUD

Protection from the back

I just want a little protection, is that so much to ask? Yes, I'm talking to you, toilet seat protector! Why can't you just stay on the seat? Why can't you stay in one piece when I try to detach the middle. Instead you fall into the still water and ruin your one soul purpose in this world, that is to protect me. Why do you rip in half when I try to open you? I wish you and I could cooperate toilet seat cover. If it is my fault I will work on being more sensitive. But I need some help on yourside. Just stay on the seat, just stay in once piece, just give me some protection from the back.

Until we meet again....

Dawg Dash

Sunday, I ran in the Dawg Dash at the University of Washington. I ran with the head coach's wife Kristin. It was a 5k and I ran 24:28 averaged 7:53 per mile, got 149/1040 particpants. Finished 7th out of my age group M/F, 25/641 females. I'm really proud of myself for running that fast (usually I run about 9:30 min miles).

I have had lots of visitors: Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Sara. If I can, I will post some pictures of them.

What We Should do for Ourselves!

I have a few minutes before I need to buckle down and study, just letting you all know it is 6:30 am. I wanted to throw a curve ball to y'all. I'm sure lots of you do so many things for others and by the days end you have done two things for yourself, put a bra on and brushed your teeth. Especially you mom's out there or the working girl who is attending college for the fourth time in hopes and determination to recreate her career identity....I think that every woman should do a few things for herself. Mini self indulgences, quiet time, bubble bath, or small gifts are simple yet meaningful pats on the back for simply being you and acknowledging all your hard work. I love flowers and I don't think I should depend on my boyfriend to get me flowers. He is very sweet and showers me with other special gifts like a rock'n pair of Nike's with the super awesome Nike Plus! So back to the flowers...I was looking at them this morning (the purple and gold ones I got at the Market a few days ago) and I couldn't help but feel a certain happiness. That was it, just a small gift but it gave me such joy this morning.

So my advice to anyone who feels overwhelmed and can't remember the last time you took a T.O. for yourself, take a moment and decide what will bring you joy for you. Give yourself a small gift. You have to take the time for yourself in order to get a better grasp of what you want and need to all work in this thing we call life.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Two things: Fall and Dreams

See it, Smell it, Taste it....yep, That's Fall!
Oh crap! Goodbye sunshine, warm earth, dry grass, tanks and flops..."Hellooooo" sweaters, scarfs, mittens, jeans, boots and more boots, wet roads, chilly nights, and cold noses. FALL is back! Don't get me wrong, it is such a beautiful time of year followed by a long grey streak that prevents vitamin D from settling into your bones causing a ridiculous amount of coffee consumption. I anticipate that I will fall into this category again this fall/winter and I'm willing to accept that. Last year we moved here around this time. We left sunshine and sweetness to live in a mysterious grey yet hopeful climate and I thought I wasn't going to make it. Poor Raul had to deal with my craziness and irrational behavior almost to the point where depression was setting in. I wouldn't get out of bed, I wouldn't get dressed. I would bundle up, drink a POT of coffee and hunt for employment while Raul went to work. I'm sure Raul including my dogs pray that I will not be that way again.

Don't worry guys, I've got my shit together, finally, and I'm way too busy to let depression or grey set in. I promise!

With Fall comes Fall Quarter. I am surrounded by 18 year old young bucks! It is so interesting how their world is viewed in comparison to someone who has somewhat of a life experience, a degree, and the lack of financial support from mommy and daddy....I'm more envious then judgemental. I just think to myself...."Self, why did it take you so long to get your shit together to decide to go to Nursing school?! If you would have taken some of these classes a little more seriously like pulling something higher than a C in Psychology, you wouldn't have to re-take this motha!" (Sigh)

Lets get to that dream shall we?!

This morning I had a very uncomfortable dream. I was in this setting of a home, not really sure if I was at my parents or mine and I was reuniting with loved ones and as usual I wasn't going to be able to stay very long so I was in a sense saying goodbye. Well...all of a sudden I see a red book (which some people will totally get) and a date of August 9th and once I saw that date I realized that I had died and I was in the present as a ghost saying goodbye. Once I realized this an instantaneous rush of panic set in, my superficial heart started beating harder and I began screaming to my mom, "I don't want to be put into the ground, I don't want to be buried!" Pleading for my "spiritual" life to not begin to my mother was unbearable to the point that I woke up one minute before my alarm clock went off......WTF!