Lately, my boyfriend (also known as The/ My Boy) and I have been starting the house buying process! Exciting, right?! Yeah~ nail biting- more like it! Not that it isn't a step in the right direction, but there has been a "process" to everything. Who ever put that "picture perfect" image for buying a home- I kick you :) First, I've been working on repairing some blemishes on my credit in order to pre-qualify from the lender I've been working with. From a previous experience in the process with another person, I learned not to get my hopes up and take it as it comes. I've patiently awaited the day to hear the word that I pre-qualify and that day came the last week of September. First thought~ Wowser THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING! I immediately texted my 3 top people: my mom, my sister and my boyfriend to share the news. I've since then mentioned the good news to a few more people. The search is on. We're interested in buying either in Miami, Arizona (small antiquing/mining town) or Queen Creek, Arizona (small farming town)- both small towns with a great family outlook on the simple way of life. I cherished an older house we saw in Miami, Arizona- a 2 bedroom/ 1 bath cottage with a cute front yard complete with a tire swing, outdoor storage facilities, parking and an alley access. It was the cutest little home and I could just imagine making our own during the viewing with the realtor. It was built in the 60's so it needs a new roof, electrical upgrading and could use a carpet removal so the natural hardwood floors can shine through. Truly a diamond just waiting to be shined up. With needing repairs, I would have to raise my credit score to be qualified for the specific type of loan. Fingers crossed it doesn't sell between now and then... besides it's been on the market for a year. In the event that it does, we'll keep searching. The goal is to take advantage of the great prices that are out there right now. As a first-time home buyer, I'm anxious but patience and time will tell.
School is another story, I have slowly worked on the classes needed to be qualified to enter the nursing program with Maricopa Community Colleges and I have them all finished- including a few co-requisites as well. I let it go of going back to school for so long because of those "little bumps in the road" and I lost sight in what was important so me to be successful in life. With a swift kick in the butt from my mother, I hopped back on the wagon. I renewed my Fingerprint card in July and filled in the application but I need to re-take the HESI A2 nursing entrance exam due to recent changes in acceptable scoring required to get into the program. My old score doesn't count. I'm nervous about leaping into taking the test- major test anxiety. Lord help me to continue good study habits and do well on my test! Once I get going, I'm gone... it's just getting going.
My boy and I have been concert junkies as of late! 2 day festival called Desert Uprising at Ashley Home store Pavilion and two days later we saw Seether at the Marquee Theatre. Desert Uprising was fun- not the best outdoor concert I've been to but entertaining, nonetheless. The first day we arrived at 2pm. Walking around, we saw alot of "interesting" or just plain out freaky styles the youth of today had concocked. I must say, I admired the pin up and girlie styles but could go without the blood, gore, stage make up and S&M looks. The day kind of drug on until night fall when the two head lining act were on: Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. Rob Zombie rocked the show and rarely disappoints as I've seen him twice before. Rob Zombie always uses old silver screen horror flicks as a back drop on stage along with awesome robots and pyrotectnics. Not to mention the mosh pit fires that were started right next to us on the lawn from crazy fans. Marilyn Manson, on the other hand, disappointed me! I saw the form of an artist I used to practically worship in middle school take the stage; he had gained alot of weight, the sound of the performance was low and often muffled, and there seemed to be an absence of the expected outrageous, shocking behavior I'd always heard of and seen on television. BuckCherry was pretty basic but decent- classic, simple rocker. The boys cousins, brother and co-worker were able to meet us there for the day. Desert Uprising: Day Two- we arrived right around 2pm again. This was the "Uproar Festival" part of the shaboodle. From the moment we walked in til the moment we walked out- there was wall to wall action. The boy waited in line to meet POD and get a poster/CD signing while his cousins and I sipped on free Rockstar (I rarely drink energy drinks- only because it was free and cheaper than $5 water!). I got some pretty phenomenal pictures of the boy and the band. Next, we saw Fozzy- with front man Chris Jericho from WWE. Surprisingly, they rocked! We were practically in the front row (protected by my "bodyguards", consisting of the boys) with the exception of a petite girl in front of me with not so great smelling body odor- putting that as mildly as possible. Afterward, we got signings from Candlelight Red. Then, we headed over to the main stage. On the way, we saw my dream car- 1966 Mustang only this one was grey... mine would be a sparkly midnight blue with black racing stripes and black leather interior with a T-top... just a dream. The headliners this day were Staind, Godsmack and Shinedown. Staind, who I've seen once before, didn't disappoint. The smooth way they went from heavy to acoustic rock made them unique and crowd pleasing. Godsmack was good as a performance but the fact that the lead singer was "too rockstar" to show up to the signings made me frown on this performance. Shinedown stole the show though... the lead singer really had a way of connecting with the crowd. They played one of the best remake versions of Lynard Skynard's Simple Man. Two days later, we saw Seether at the Marquee theatre in Tempe, Arizona with one of the boys co-workers. This was a small venue so were we able to wedge our way to the very front. Sick Puppies toured this show and I never realized they had a girl as a bassist. I completely admired the way this tiny framed girl could give such as remarkable presents and performance with their 3 man crew. Loved her! Seether was exceptionally impressive as expected. We were in the first row, against the barrier. It was like we were in a trance when they took stage... it was ThAt GoOd! All in all, pure awesomeness! Looking forward to seeing Korn at the state fair later this month.
Speaking of looking forward to upcoming things... last month I contacted a long, lost brother through facebook. I have never met him and went out on a whim just hoping it may have been him when I sent the text to the number I had got off of this profile narrow down by the little information I had gathered throughout the years with over overhearing conversations and sketchy information given to me by select relatives (wow... holy run-on sentence... can you tell I'm excited???). Long story, short... It was him!! Before his relationship with my mother, dad apparently had a girlfriend who was pregnant when they parted ways and he didn't know my brother existed until I was a sophomore in high school. My dad tried to contact him and was shut down and told not to attempt again. Therefore, I never knew my sibling, just of him. Curiosity killed the cat and I just had to know him... so Nancy Drew- I fOuNd HiM. Don't get me wrong, I have 2 other great siblings I was raised with (wouldn't trade them for the world) but I just had to know. After being in contact a few times and lots of catching up, he is coming to town the 14th of this month! So guess who gets to meet him??? This girl and her dad! I solely have technology advancement to thank for this union.
Let just say I've may or may not have put on a few pounds over the years since high school, 45 extra lingering burdens to be exact. I only have pure laziness and temptations from being a food junkie to blame. I packed on alot when I moved back to Arizona from New York during some pretty tough times... and so on and so fourth. Well I'm tired of not being about to fit in my clothes and it's time for those extra pounds to take a hike. I realize it doesn't happen over night but in moderation. In September, I trialed this plan I have for 2 weeks. In the 2 weeks, I lost 13 pounds. I cut out all the junk pretty much just water, tea/ coffee, meat, veggies and minimal fruit with Melba toast along with 1.5 mile jog and 3.5 mile speed walks daily. I was finally able to fit into a couple pairs of old jeans... with pudge but they zipped! I went off for 1 week and now its crunch time again. Not to mention, I have two 5k runs, Neon Splash Dash and Color Me Rad, and one 5k walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, coming up. This is a great way to train. I find myself having more energy, motivation and encouragement when I start to see those pounds shed off during daily weigh ins.
Lastly, I have great career news. Since moving to San Tan Valley, we've been battling gas prices during our 45 minute commute to work each morning. Since we carpool, the boy often makes two trips from the house to my job in order to drop me off and pick me up. That's an easy $20-$30 per day in gas depending on stops along the way- OUCH! Relief may be on the way. I have a transfer interview tomorrow morning at a sister hospital right here in San Tan Valley. I say this with bittersweet thoughts. As I get choked up about leaving the best job and staff I've ever had the pleasure of working with, I may be transferring if all goes well. I seek, not only a better commute, but room for growth in the company. As mentioned earlier, I plan on moving forward in nursing by going to school. Although I've been a Certified Nursing Assistant for nine years, upgrading to a Patient Care Tech will give me additional job responsibilities and experience that will be very beneficial in eventually pursuing a future Registered Nurse position with the company. The unit the position is offered on will broaden my experience as it seemed to be a "variety unit" with different kinds of patients in a much smaller environment. I also think it would be great to be able to be employed there as the hospital grows over the years. I love working in small communities and watching them grow and flourish into something great, much like I have seen the Apache Junction area, Queen Creek area and Banner Baywood grow. Wish me Luck!!!
That's all for now!
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