Public Service Announcement: A Word On Tardiness

I would like to take a moment to define "on time"... "On time" means arriving to your designated location with enough time for you to get situated and be ready and able to begin your task at the previously determined time. For example, oh I don't know, let's say you were a student and your class began at, oh let me just pull out a random time of 8:00AM. That would mean you should get to campus with enough time to park, get into class and be in your seat, READY TO BEGIN YOUR EXAM, no later than 8:00AM. That does not mean you casually stroll in to class at exactly 8:00AM and make everyone else wait for you. You especially do not want to do this when the professor has not had a day off in, oh I don't know, TWO WEEKS, and will not have a day off for another week and is overtired because SHE has managed to get there on time, even though she would much rather be in bed, enjoying a lazy SUNDAY morning and having a Skype coffee date... But I digress.

Now, this has obviously been a random example and by no means is it a true story, but figured it was an important matter to discuss.

This has been a public service announcement!

Home

Home is where the heart is...right now my heart is in Philadelphia :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6LsmPgVn1g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Recently Reflective

(post started on January 4, 2012, completed on February 9, 2012)

For a couple months now I have been in a very reflective state. I think the initial reasons were the deaths of some people in my life (death seems to always make me take a step back and remember the important things in life).

Then came the tradition of new year's and making resolutions. Now I have never been big on making new year's resolutions. I mean, why wait for only one time of the year to look at your life and see where you could make improvements. I think that is something that should be done on a regular basis, and that is what I have tried to do with my life. But something about this new year made me feel like I needed to actually make resolutions.

Now, I know what you are going to say... its February! What has taken you so long??? Well, to be honest, I had to think about it for a little while. Then, by the time I had thought about what I really wanted to do, there was no one around asking me what my new year's resoultion was, as that question passed in the first week of January.

So, once again I have turned to this blog, my place for catharsis! It has been such a long time since I have purged my emotions into short but sweet stories, I am not even sure anyone in the blogosphere is still out there listening to me (and do they even still call it the blogosphere???). But, then I remembered that I started this blog for two reasons: one, to allow my friends to stay in touch and keep up to date with my daily (ha, try every-so-often) happenings, and two, to have a place to put my thoughts and feelings into words so that maybe I can have a better understanding of who am I and what I want out of life. So, for the second reason, here are the things I have been thinking about lately:

• Death: I heard an amazing adage from the priest at the funeral for my uncle. He said there are three deaths: the death of the body, the burial of the body, and the time when those you leave behind forget about you. And the job of those left behind is to never let anyone die a third death. There was something so simple about that statement. It made me feel as though we have the power of keeping that person we have loved and lost with us forever, we don't have to lose them. They are never really gone as long as we keep them alive.



• Gratitude: I have been thinking a lot about just how lucky I really am. Since my last post, I have graduated with my doctorate, moved right into the perfect job without having to pound the pavement for months, and began teaching at the graduate level (again, not having to seek this opportunity, but having it offered to me without hesitation). I spend my days working with people who keep me sharp (like the bible says, "steel sharpens steel"), make me laugh, and genuinely care about me. I have a family who loves and supports me in every step I take, whether it is in the right direction or maybe even a direction they would not necessarily choose for me. I have a man who loves and supports me in every aspect and is my other half. How I survived so long without him in my life, I will never know, but I am so grateful that I will never again have to know what life is like without him (I love you, Mike).



• Cherishing the moments I have, not wishing for the ones I don't: This can apply to losing loved ones in death, but also these past 7 months Mike and I have been living on opposite sides of the country. There is an end in site to this arrangement, but whether it were 5 months, 5 days or 5 minutes from now, it wouldn't be soon enough. But this has taught me to really enjoy the time I have with people. Though I may want more, I should cherish every moment I am blessed with the company of the people I love, knowing they are making me a better person just by being in their presence. And nothing will ever take away the memories I make with those I love!

Wow, pretty heavy stuff! Now you see why I have been thinking about it for a while. So, with these things bouncing around in my head, here are my resolutions:

1. To say 'I love you' as often as I am given the opportunity. Don't let the repetition be mistaken for loss of meaning. I know what it means...thats why I'm saying it!!!



2. Read the bible DAILY. Sounds so simple, and it is, as long as I recognize there is more to life than the daily grind. There is a greater power, a greater reason for things!!!



3. Skype is the best invention, EVER!!! Okay, so that is not quite a resolution, more of a discovery because it allows me to look at the person I love looking at most. So, lets turn it into a resolution...I will use Skype to keep in touch with my family I don't get to see regularly, especially my nieces and nephews. I want to be a person who is always there for them and a part of their lives, not just someone who sends them birthday cards and calls them on holidays.



4. START SENDING BIRTHDAY CARDS TO MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS!!!



5. Eat at least one fresh thing everyday (Question: Wine is considered fresh right when you open it, right???)



6. Start dancing again. It can be at a club, a class, or in my living room... just DANCE!

Well, I think that is a good start. Like I said, I get reflective pretty often and set about ways to better my life. I just don't always right it down or call it 'resolutions'. So don't be too afraid, I'm not this serious all the time (just look at my past posts). And now that I have remembered how good it feels to be here, you may be seeing more of me ;)

There is always time to procrastinate

Here I am, three weeks left in what has been the toughest term in PT school (yes, I know I say that about all of them at the time) and what am I doing? Am I studying for this massive spine oral exam? Am I practicing for the two neuromuscular practicals I have next week? Am I studying for any finals I will have in two weeks?

Nope! I am blogging about it. Odd, considering I don't ever seem to think about blogging when I am sitting around with nothing to do. Sure, I could say that I am trying to make more of an effort to be regular with my blogging. But we all know the truth... I am PROCRASTINATING!!!

Thats all. See, nothing else to say. Just procrastinating.

What a difference a week makes

After one full week in Gainesville, I have a learned a few simple truths:

• As far as Gainesville is concerned, Tim Tebow is the chosen one
• I am now a pro at riding the bus
• Restaurants or stores that I thought went out of business in California, have simply moved to Florida (long live Hungry Howies!!!)
• If you live in a town that lives and breathes for college sports, you must either wear a jersey or T-shirt of that college on Fridays before the big game or be able to color coordinate your scrubs to match the school colors
• Mexican food is not your only option for late night snacks
• I am definitely in the south, and without a doubt, will return home with the thickest southern accent any of y'all have ever heard (and probably use words like "yes um, fixin', kin")

I am sure over the next six weeks I will be adding to this list but I think I have successfully learned what any newcomer should know in their first week. A shout out to all my peeps (inside joke) in Cali. I miss you already.

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

Well, its official. I am the world's worst bus rider.

Today I started my first PT internship. I had mapped out the different bus routes, planned extra time for catastrophic events. I was ready. Or so I thought.

My bus stop is right at the end of my apartment building. So, I leave the apartment (making sure neither of the mischievious cats follow me out as I quickly squeeze through the door, not an easy task) to meet the bus at 6:45am. Thats right, 6:45am. But as I round the corner to the stop, I see a bus coming towards it. Could that be my bus? How could I be late? I had planned so well. So as I run like an idiot to beat it to the stop, I approach the doors out of breath, only to realize this was not in fact my bus. Smooth, Ryann. Really smooth. So, I have some informative words with a girl at the stop and realize she is waiting for the same bus, and going to the same stop. Sweet, someone to follow.

Oh, yeah, this might be a good time to tell you that I have never been on a public bus before. Continue reading.

The bus comes along, I have my exact change of $2 (just like the transit guide suggested) only to find out that the fee is $3. Darn you recent increase not mentioned in my month old guide!!! So far, not coming off as a regular bus rider. But I make it to my stop and eventually meet my CI and proceed to orientation. After orientation, I knew that I would need a monthly pass for the bus, which must be purchased at the downtown bus station. So I successfully ride the bus to the station, purchase the passes (at student discount, yes!) and return to the bus towards home.

Here is the catch. This bus I am on is the one I will need to take to work everyday, but it does not go back to my apartment. A change must be made at some point. I know where this change must occur, I have done my homework. But as we approach this stop, I start to realize I don't know if I am supposed to pull the cord to alert the driver, or will it stop automatically? I begin studying the moves of those exiting at stops prior to mine. Pull the cord, voice comes over the loudspeaker announcing bus will stop... no cord pulled, no stop. Okay, so I have to pull the cord. Easy enough. But now I am faced with the realization that unless the Gainesville roads look like straight purple lines like they do in the transit guide, I really have no clue when my stop is approaching and, therefore, no idea when to pull the cord. I am keeping my eyes focused, looking at every street sign, every identifying building we pass, when I hear, "Um, do you know what stop you are getting off at?" I look to the guy sitting next to me and say, "yeah, Shands hospital, why?" His reply..."cuz you look a little anxious." Great, I am not pulling this off at all. I give him some excuse that didn't make any sense and pull the cord in humiliation, waiting for the bus to stop so I can leave this embarassment behind me.

While waiting for the next bus to take me to my apartment, I become more and more determined to look like a pro in front of my new audience. The 35 bus comes toward me, I enter, flash my new month pass (only locals have these, I think to myself) and find a seat. I stare aimlessly out the window, making it seem as if I know exactly where I am, when in reality I am memorizing every inch of the road. I casually send text messages. Only someone who really knew the area would pay no attention to where the bus was at any given moment. Then, we turn onto my street (the inner dialogue was in overdrive as you can tell). Here is my moment. My turn to pull the cord. But I realize, without looking around, I can't remember how many stops there are before the one in front of my apartment. And now I am seated behind a giant wall on the bus and can't see down the street. So I let one go by. I bet its the next one. And if not, so what, I walk a block. So I pull the cord, so sure I made the right call. And then the bus stops. I get out and assess my decision.

WRONG!!!

Oh, well, so I begin to walk, following the exhaust of the bus I just exited prematurely. Just a block, I think I see my apartments already. They are at the top of that hill.

WRONG AGAIN!!!

But now, nothing looks familiar. And then a sign catches my eye. A sign that, strangely, doesn't have my street name on it. WHAT??? I'm not even on the right street. Did I overcompensate so much and try to be so cool that I am on the wrong street? I pull out my guide, while still walking, which makes me look like I am searching a treasure map down the streets of Gainesville. And now I realize my mistake. In order for the bus to get turned around and start heading back on its route, it has to pass my street and do a loop. Well, so what, I have to walk a little further to follow the loop.

An hour later, approximately three to four miles, I arrived safely, yet exhausted, to my apartment. Live and learn, people, live and learn.

However, I refuse to let this be a negative. For instance, I will definitely know where I should and shouldn't get off the bus tomorrow. Additionally, should I require furniture, dry cleaning, fake tanning, or the post office while I am here, I now know where these stores can be found.

With that, I bid you all good night, and hope that you have better luck with your new adventures.

P.S. Forgot to mention the guy sitting next to me who chose his bus ride as the perfect time to clip his fingernails. Yuck!

Chipotel... Chipootle... Chipototlay!!!

Greetings from Gainesville!

I arrived last night to a very pleasant surprise... my new digs are AWESOME!!! This apartment building is the only one of its kind in Gainesville, though I have seen some like it when House Hunters goes to urban areas. It is a loft of sorts, but the floors, wall, etc are all unfinished.

Floors... concrete
Walls... cement blocks

Vents and pipe... visible

Thats right, ladies and gentleman. I live at Chipotle, without the delicious yet ridiculously filling burritos (sidenote: must remember to search if there are any Chipotles in Gainesville). But, food or no food, this place is awesome. Take a look.

That is the view looking out to the parking area. That whole side is two stories of windows.

This is the kitchen, my room is down that hall to the right.

These are the stairs up to the loft and my new roommate's (Keith) room.

My room (with my own bathroom).

So, tomorrow is my first day, a full day of hospital orientation, and then Tuesday I actually meet my CI (clinical instructor for all the non-PT students reading this). I have my bus routes all mapped out and am looking forward to having something to do, because this last 24 hours of having nothing to do is driving me crazy. Last time I complain about having too much to do.

Good luck to all my fellow USA classmates! Think of me anytime you eat a tasty barbacoa burrito bowl, or when you order finger licking carnitas tacos from Chipototlay :)

P.S. Hoping all of you get the Jack in the Box reference.