I (heart) NY

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger this week- I came down with some sort of upper respiratory infection on Tuesday and have been fighting it ever since. I'm having company this weekend (my brother is coming to visit), so I won't be able to post until Sunday. Here are a few pictures from my time in NYC with Lana last weekend- we had a blast! More to come!

What Are You Waitng For?

So, I'm in Brooklyn with Lana, and we are going to a free concert
tonight on Govenor's Island. You have to take a water taxi to get
there, but this is also free tonight. The taxi service was supposed to
start at 5:30, so Lana and I planned to get there at 6:00 after we
bought our discounted Broadway tickets. (We are going to see
'Chicago' tomorrow!) We got here at 6:00 and have been waiting in line
for an hour. The water taxi finally came- it looked like we were close
enough to make it on the first one.. We were at the front of thel
line, ready to get on, when they STOPPED letting people on the taxi!!!
That would happen to us!! Forty-five minutes later, our boat finally
made it! Looking forward to a great night in NYC.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Sarah Moran
sarah.jean.moran@gmail.com
317-345-3322

Mind Readers

I was sitting at my desk yesterday, minding my own business, when I got a call from the Security Desk. My first thought was, "Uh oh! Are they towing my car?" They said I had a package to pick up. I decided that one of the pharmaceutical companies was just getting the demonstration samples f(or the MS presentation I gave last week) out to me. But when I got down there, I saw a had a beautiful basket of flowers!

"Congratulations on a successful year. Hope you have a nice day."

The "just because" flowers are the best. Not Valentine's, Happy Anniversary, or I'm Sorry (but I still like them no matter what the occassion). I am a lucky girl.

You may not believe me, but two days earlier I had sent Nick a care package!! I called him right away to thank him and reminded him to check his mail. When he called me back that afternoon, he hadn't gotten his package, so I was a little bummed. However, when I called after I left RIFC (more on that to come), he had gotten it in the mail!!! He has been studying like crazy for his Step II test- he takes it on June 29th. I sent beef jerkey, Dunkin' Donuts coffee, fruit leather (the all-fruit version of a fruit roll-up), pencils, Post-it notes, non-bleed Sharpie markers (my absolute favorite), and few other things. Call me crazy, but I guess we were reading each other's mind.

I'm headed to NYC to spend the weekend with Lana! Have a great weekend!

What Language Do You Speak?

I just got done reading the most wonderful book- The Five Love Languages- Singles Edition.

The first time I got introduced to the concept of the "love languages" was at Grace Community Church several years ago. The author of the book, Gary Chapman, is a counselor with over 30 years of experience who now hosts his own radio show and frequently speaks at conferences regarding the five love languages. Gary's original book focused on married couples, but after speaking with different groups of people, he found that the principles could be applied in all types of relationships- family, friends, work, and dating relationships. As a result, he wrote the Singles Edition.

Love languages are the different ways we express and receive love in our relationships. Dr. Chapman believes that there are only 5 fundamental love languages- words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch. Because we tend to express our love in our most fluent language, there is a chance that our message may not be reaching the intended recipient. Here is an excerpt from his book-

"Of the five love languages, each of us has a primary language. One of the five speaks more deeply to us emotionally to us than the other four. We can receive love through all five, but if we don't receive our primary love language, we will not feel loved even though the person is speaking the other four. However, if they speak our primary love language sufficiently, the other four provide icing on the cake."

"The problem is that, by nature, we tend to speak our own love language. That is, we express love to others in a language that would make us feel loved. But if this is not her or his primary love language, it will not mean to them what it would mean to us."

Here are a few of my favorite notes in the chapter on each language: (words in italics are my own)

1. Words of affirmation
-The choice to love is the choice to take initiative.
-Carefully examine the words you use (and how you say them) when talking with co-workers, peers, neighbors, parents, close friends, roommates, and the clerk checking you out at the grocery store.
-Mature love speaks kindly.
-If you have difficulty with this love language, try writing down things you want to say ahead of time.

2. Gifts
-The English word "gift" is from the Greek word "charis," which means "grace" or "undeserved gift."
-Gifts are powerful to some because they represent the emotional love that was communicated by the gift.
-The best way to learn this language is to keep a list somewhere of the little things others mention that they would like and/or need.
-As the saying goes, it's the thought that counts. Gifts don't have to be expensive to be meaningful.

3. Acts of Service
-"Serve one another out of love." -Galatians 5:13
-No matter what the career path, those who excel are those who serve.
-Service does not equal slavery. No one should ever be a doormat for another.
-If you are not sure what you could do to help someone, just ask!

4. Quality Time
-Quality time has to do with focused attention- it is not quality time if the other person does not receive your undivided attention.
-Simply spending time in a common pursuit can communicate love.
-Tips for becoming a sympathetic listener: 1) Maintain eye contact. 2) Don't engage in other activities while you are listening. 3) Listen for feelings. 4) Observe body language. 5) Refuse to interrupt. 6) Ask reflective questions. 7) Express understanding.

5. Physical Touch
-This does not only exist in romantic relationships- think more broad. High-fives, hugs, pats on the back, etc. Keep in mind that one person may prefer one over the other.
-Always seek the appropriate time, place, and manner in which to express affection. (Ex: it is almost never a good idea to touch someone when they are angry.)
-This one made me laugh... "explicit touches, such as a back rub or foot rub, demand your full attention." (HA! Sounds like someone I know....)

Click here to take an assessment to help identify your primary love language.

Learning how to speak another person's love language has the ability to transform your relationship with that individual. The process of identifying someone's love language takes time, but it is well worth the effort.

Hope you learned something- it's hard to describe the whole book in one post. After going over the five love languages, the author details how they apply to all relationships in your life. I've already started to notice ways in which I can express my appreciation to some of my co-workers for their support this year that may be more effective than just doing the same thing for everyone.

Dr. Chapman does this topic much more justice than I do- I *highly* recommend you take a closer look at it.

Is There a Neurologist in the House?

Even though my time in Rhode Island is winding down, it seems like I've got more and more going on at work! Three weeks left... (not that I'm counting or anything!)

Over the last few months I have been working with the University of Rhode Island on preparing an ACPE-accredited continuing education (CE) course for pharmacists. Depending on what state you are licensed in, pharmacists are required to have a certain number of CE hours, some of which must be "live" classes. Other states are even furthered detailed in their CE requirements and often specify how many credits one must complete on pharmacy law and immunizations, for example.

I worked with the three other pharmacy residents in the state (YES, there are only a total of four residents in the entire state of RI... I was shocked when I learned this. I mean, I know RI is small, but really? Indy isn't that big and Clarion along probably has 20 PGY1 pharmacy residents) to come up with a CE topic. Although we needed a general theme to link our presentations, we would all be presenting for 40 minutes each on different topics. We had originally discussed an emphasis on infectious disease but ended up focusing on neurology.

Not going to lie, neurology was not my first choice... it is one of those areas that I feel like no one really understands. Needless to say, I learned quite a bit on my area, multiple sclerosis (MS), since I had almost zero memory of learning about it in school. My presentation was titled "Disease-Modifying Agents for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis." In conjunction with my presentation, I wrote an article for our clinical newsletter on disease-modifying therapy and will follow-up in July's issue on the treatment of MS symptoms themselves. For those of you who don't know much about MS, keep reading...

MS is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the CNS. The body recognizes self as non-self and attacks the myelin sheath surrounding nerves, which leads to decreases in CNS function. There are approximately 350,000 people with MS in the United States, and 4 million people worldwide that suffer from MS. The onset of the disease is generally seen in patients 20-40 years of age and is twice as commonly in females versus males. Primary symptoms of MS are caused by disruptions in CNS function and include muscle spasms, fatigue, pain, vision changes, and loss of bladder control. There are many forms of MS, but most patients experience repeated attacks of worsening function, followed by periods of partial or complete recovery. After 20-25 years, patients have less frequent attacks and begin to experience chronic decline in neurological function. The disease itself is rarely fatal but can be an enormous social, emotional, and financial burden on patients and their families.

Whew.. I typed that all in one breath! I could keep going, too... as you can see, MS is something I feel strongly about. Retail pharmacists can have an enormous impact on patient care by understanding more about MS therapy. I was very grateful for the opportunity to present at the CE dinner (there were about 80 pharmacists there)- the more practice I have speaking in public the better. What's even more exciting was that I had a friend in the audience! Karen is one of the pharmacists I worked with at my former store in Cranston... she was so helpful during my time in the store AND she helped to make the pharmacy fun when she was working. I will miss you next year!

Thanks for coming Karen! You're the best!

Speaking of visitors at my presentation, Debbie (my boss) was supposed to be on vacation last week (my presentation was on Wednesday). She drove to NY to see friends and family on Tuesday and made a special trip to Warwick to watch me present. On Thursday, she drove back to NY to finish her vacation. I am so lucky to have such a great boss. :)

Improving Your Life in 2010

Okay, so this list is actually from 2008... I'm going through some of my files and notebooks while I'm packing to move back home, and I had saved this from U.S. News and World Report. Some 18 months later, it's managed to stick around. Here are some of my favorite things they recommend to improve your life (some of the 50 they originally listed don't really apply this year). Enjoy!

*Find a book worth talking about. * Bite into dark chocolate. *Turn work into your workout. *Swing by your local library. *Dump your prescription pills safely. *Put the freeze on identify theft. *Study geography. *Use software to catalog your property. *Ditch the landline- use your mobile phone for everything. *Recyle your Christmas tree. *Try wines from unexpected places. *Stop drinking bottled water. *Volunteer for a local organization. *Go see a play or musical. *Detox your household cleaning products. *Make a Not-to-do list. *Commit random acts of kindness. *Listen better. *Switch to compact fluorescent lights. *Set up a Roth 401(k). *Learn a new language. *Don't be afraid to get dirty.

Shop 'Til You Drop

This year has taught me a lot about personal finances. No, I don't know the in's and out's of mutual stock options, hedge funds, or rollover 401k's, but I spent a good deal of time this year budgeting and mapping out my finances. You don't have to be a financial wizard to learn ways to save and spend your money wisely.

This year has also reinforced my love of finding a great deal. I remember clipping coupons out of the Sunday newspaper on my family room floor with good intentions of helping my Mom use them at the store. Coupon clipping is just one of the ways I have learned to save money this year. No matter how small something might seem, every little thing does add up in the end. Below are some of my "best practices" in savvy shopping.

*Before you do anything, create a free e-mail account that you use only for company coupons, sweepstakes, and other offers. This prevents your inbox from overflowing with "spam" and gives you the flexibility to check your inbox as often as you'd like. I've found that a lot of restaurants will send you a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert if you simply give them your e-mail. The same is true with clothing stores. Sites like Groupon or Tippr can also be useful if they are in your area.

*Coupons, coupons, coupons. If you look online, some stores will have coupons that you can print (but can only be used in their store) straight from the website. If you know someone who gets the Sunday newspaper, ask them if they use their coupons. Look for coupons/deals in free community newspapers or fliers that are near the entrance to the grocery store. Keep a small plastic expanding folder to hold your coupons. I try to either keep it in my purse or in the car for easy access.

*Sign up for loyalty programs. For example, I get most of my groceries at Stop n' Shop. For every $100 I spend in groceries, they take 10 cents off per gallon of gas that I buy. That might not seem like much, but do the math.... 14 gallons of gas per week x 52 weeks x 10 cents = $73 savings over the course of one year. Other companies will give you coupons based on what you buy in the store.

*Watch the store ads. If you don't get them in the mail (not signing up to get a newspaper = extra savings), sign up to receive them in your special e-mail account. I would also recommend shopping for groceries on Friday night if possible (very dorky but much more effective). This allows you to have the best pick of the sale items (especially with regards to produce and meat products that are on sale) *and* avoid crowds. If I go to the grocery store (or even Target for that matter) on another day of the week, I visit at night to avoid crowds and traffic, which allows me to go as fast as humanly possible down an aisle while still managing to fill my cart with the right items.

*Use store brands whenever possible. Many generic brands are made by the same company that produces the brand name product. For example, my company's brand of tissues is made by the leading brand name company that makes tissues. However, there are some times when you should not skimp, including peanut butter (nobody else does it like Jif), chocolate chips (proven in a taste test by my Mom), and barbecue sauce (only Sweet Baby Ray's for me!). That being said, I have found a couple of generic brands that I like more than the actual brand name. For example, the Malt-O-Meal version of Frosted Mini Wheats is crunchier, has more frosting, and is an amazing price.

*Free sample sites. Sign up for a daily e-mail from a blog that focuses on freebies and coupons. My favorite one this year is Free Snatcher- she does a fantastic job of providing her audience with deals and ways to even make money in stores. Two other great sample sites include Wal-Mart and P & G Brand Sampler. Free samples might not seem like they are worth it, but it adds up. I've probably gotten enough shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel to last me two months!! Plus, who doesn't love getting something in the mail? I usually forget that I have ordered a sample, and four weeks later I have a wonderful surprise waiting for me in my mailbox.

*Plan ahead. While you don't want to purchase something just for the sake of a deal, it is wise to anticipate your needs. If you can get something at little or no cost now and have the room to store it, why wait? If you don't have the room or don't need it, you can always give it to a friend, family member, or local shelter. You might not need something right this instant, but planning ahead is damage control. Maybe this is just me, but I am more likely to spend a higher price on an item that I need right away.

*Use your own reusable bag. Many companies now give you a small discount (usually 5 cents per bag) if you bring in a bag rather than use their plastic or paper ones. (Touted as earth-friendly but really focused on cost control.) If you use 4 of your own bags every week for a year, this adds up to $10. Again, it may only be $10 but that is $10 you can spend on something else.

*Keep your receipts. I've noticed stores getting much more strict about their return policies within the past few years. If you should have a reason to return something, this will prevent you from being reimbursed what the product is worth now. If you don't have a receipt, the company gives you its current selling price, which may be majorly reduced. Also be sure to understand a store's return policy before you purchase something you're not 100% about.

True story: last weekend I went to the drugstore to pick up some items. Between store sales and coupons, I only paid $6.89 for 2 boxes of Kleenex, a stick of deodorant, 2 full size bottles of John Freida (one shampoo, one conditioner), and a giant roll of paper towels. Normally, this would have cost me over $38!!! I had the biggest grin on my face when I left the store.

Hope these tips have helped inspire you to start saving money. If you have any great websites or ideas, I'd love to hear them. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check my mailbox... I might have a sample waiting for me.

Weekend Recap

Friday

6:30 AM: Wake up drenched in sweat--my air conditioner broke sometime during the night. I proceed immediately to the shower

7:15: Attempt to blow-dry my hair, but the heat is oppressive. End up taking another shower.

7:45 AM: While driving down Sayles Hill Rd, I accidentally run over a squirrel. I am crushed and cry the rest of my way to work.

8:05 AM: Pull myself together in the parking lot, put on mascara, and head on into work.

12:30 PM: Lunch to celebrate a co-worker's wedding and another co-worker's 25th anniversary with the company. (Read: two cakes and lots of frosting.)

1:35 PM: Get presented a certificate for my residency. Takes all of my energy not to cry (even though I am ready to come home, I will the people here in the office.). Use a trick I read in a magazine--hold your tongue up to the roof of your mouth.

1:45 PM: Give a short presentation summarizing my residency to the managers and directors in my department. (Not too difficult when you just have to talk about yourself, but I am really focusing on improving my presentation skills.)

6:15 PM: Get back to my apartment- late night at the office. Lay down on the couch for a one-hour nap.

7:50 PM: Arrive at the pharmacy to work an overnight shift (12 hours).

8:00 PM- 1:00 AM: The store is crazy busy from the moment I get there.

Saturday

1:00-7:00 AM: Working by myself in the pharmacy. Get lots of random calls (I mean, who else can you call for advice at 3:00 AM?)- I even had one lady who had lost her power and wanted to know what number to call. (Thank goodness for the phone book). I am busy the whole night filling and checking prescriptions.

8:15 AM: Finish my shift and head back home to crash. My body is a little confused about what day it is, so I end up taking another nap on the couch.

3:00 PM: Wake up refreshed and rested. Begin a whirlwind of activity that lasts 8 hours. I clean my kitchen, wash all of my laundry, file paperwork, start packing for the move, workout for almost an hour, and shower. I run errands and go to Target, Michael's, Dick's, and Ann Taylor loft.

11:30: Start watching "Lawrence of Arabia," a movie I"ve been meaning to watch for a long time. Make a childhood favorite from movie nights- butter popcorn (this time light popcorn) with m n m's- the heat of the popcorn softens the chocolate just enough so that they melt in your mouth. Fall asleep after about one hour (yes, on the couch again).

Sunday

5:30 AM: Wake up on the couch. Eat a small bowl of Raisin Bran (currently obsessed with that right now!), have a glass of water, brush my teeth, and go to bed.

12:00 PM: Wake up in my warm and comfy bed. (FYI- the air conditioning is back on at this point, thank goodness). Get dressed and drive to Providence to babysit Connor while his parents head out for the afternoon. He is such a happy baby with the exception of taking him up to his room to change him- he does *not* like that. (Maybe he thinks it is bedtime? I'm not sure...)

Connor and I (I look awful, but he looks adorable!)

4;30 PM: Return a few things at the Providence Mall (and also pick up a couple of things). Head home to workout, shower, and make dinner. Practice for my presentation and crash late at night after a long weekend.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Hope everyone is having a nice short week- hard to believe it is already June! After tomorrow, I will only have four weeks left of work (not that I'm counting down), and I know they will go quickly. I've giving a short presentation tomorrow (an easy one- it's about me), an intense one Monday (practice run) and Wednesday (45 minute live CE presentation- speaking of which.. pharmacists, don't forget to get your CE credits by June 30!), and a journal club presentation (the risk of fractures when taking a PPI) the following Monday. On top of that, I worked an extra shift in the stores on Tuesday night, and tomorrow I'm working the overnight shift (I've never actually done this, so I'm interested to see how it will go).

Last weekend I went back to Indy for the long weekend. Well, I didn't actually make it for a long weekend.... I got to the airport on Friday night, only to sit there for almost two hours while my plane was delayed. Eventually they cancelled the flight (for some of us at least) because most people would have been stuck in Charlotte. I guess there were severe thunderstorms (they better have been severe!) down South. I woke up early on Saturday morning (4:30!!!) to catch a flight through Philidelphia to Indy and finally made it home.

Saturday was a family day. As you may have noticed, my mom's birthday was Friday. She and I worked on making wedding invitations for a friend during the day- I can't wait to show them to you. I forgot to take a picture (arrrg!) of them, but they are purple pocketcards with shimmery white invitations and grey and purple ink. The main invitation even has a purple gemstone! Purple isn't my favorite color, but these are absolutely gorgeous. If you were to buy these from someone who professionally makes wedding invitations, they would cost a small fortune (as much as I pay for my monthly rent!). I'll see if my Mom can send a couple of pictures my way to post on the blog.

On Saturday night, we met up with my brother to have dinner at Harry and Izzy's for Mom's birthday. (Not only do I love their food and service, I love the name... it makes me think of my Mom and our dog, Izzie- you could write a book about their adventures but a restaurant named after them is nice, too). We started with their St. Elmo's shrimp cocktail. If you are ever in Indianapolis, make sure you try this! But *beware*- it is hotter than Hades! I had a salad with pecans, julienne apples, and a vinegrette, but eveyrone else had either steak or lamb. Dessert was homemade strawberry shortcake with ice cream and whipped cream- yum! The strawberries had soaked into some of the shortbread just enough to soften it up and make it taste like jam. (Another picture fail- neither my Mom nor I remembered to take a picture!)

After dinner, my Dad, Mom, and I went to pick up my keys to my new apartment! I was lucky enouh to get the apartment I wanted (click here for my original post on apartment searching), which is right downtown. The place is huge- 2 full bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and another bonus room off the master bedroom. It also has wooden floors in the kitchen, nice countertops, and track lighting. My favorite feature of the unit, though, is the amount of windows- they are everywhere! There are two sets of bay windows- one in the bedroom and another in the living room, which gives you a great view of the city skyline. (I can also see my brother's apartment complex, which is only two blocks away. I liked my Dad's idea of stringing two cans together to have as walkie talkies.) I'm really looking forward to moving in!

Sunday morning I helped to make breakfast (blueberry pancakes!) and hung out around the house before heading to visit Lisa in Speedway! You have to be crazy to go to Speedway on race weekend- it is a madhouse! Luckily, I had some expert advice from a seasoned pro- I brought my Mom's bike (thanks Mom and Dad!). It was ten times easier to get around. (It was a little nostalgic for me- I felt like I was in junior high again.) Amy (who was visiting from Texas), Katie (another Speedway native), Lisa, and I spent the day lounging, catching up, and trying to stay cool. For dinner, we attempted to eat at Baxbeau's but got a little lost (we would get lost in our own city). Instead of eaitng at the restaraunt, we got carry-out and ate on the steps of Monument Circle.

A view of the Sailers and Soldiers Monument at night

I loved this picture- it is of one of the fountains downtown.... but when I showed it to Amy, Katie, and Lisa, all three of them made a sour face (like, what is this?!). Looks like I'd never make it as an artist!

Amy, Lisa, and Katie- had so much fun with you!

My turn! Hmmm...maybe I'll try to crop myself in the picture above....

On Monday, I slept wayyyyy in (a much needed three-day weekend luxury). After cleaning up and getting together my bag (as hard as I try, my suitcase of things ends up all over the floor by the time I leave- it doesn't matter how much stuff I have, where I am, or how long my trip is- it always ends up on the floor), my Mom drove me downtown to meet Nick for a late lunch (isn't she the best? So took me so that I could surprise Nick). We ate a Left Bank Cafe, a new restaurant on the canal. The food was okay, but the service was chaotic. I'd give them a couple of weeks to sort things out. When you do go, be sure to get a Nutella and strawberry crepe- amazing!!

Happy Birthday, Lisa!!

Hope you had an absolutely fabulous day! Wish I could be there to celebrate with you- love you!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Hope you have a wonderful last day of school! Can't wait to see you this weekend!

Cookie Monster

During my break on Wednesday, I was eating lunch with a few other pharmacists, and we started talking about food. Now, for those of you that know me, you know I'm not much of a foodie. So when Linda asked me if I liked to cook, I said, "Well, yes, but I'm not that good... *But,* I loooove to bake!"

I have wonderful memories of spending time with my mom (and sometimes with my grandmothers) baking treats. Cookies, cakes, breads- you name it, I love to make (and eat) it. After talking about baking on Wednesday, I realized that I hadn't made anything in quite some time, and I decided I was due to make a batch of cookies. Flipping through my mental cookbook, the perfect recipe hit me- my mom's zuccini raisin cookies. Now I know these sound a little weird, but they are absolutely fabulous!

When I got home after work and running some errands, I looked into my refrigerator to make sure I had all of the ingredients. Unfortunatley, my zuccini that I had bought earlier this week didn't look so hot. I needed to go to the store to pick up some more, but I also wanted to make sure I had time to work out. So, what do you think I did? Just what anyone else would do-- I ran to the grocery store (and walked back) to buy a vegetable to make cookies. Seems a little counterintuitive, but it made sense at the time.

Here's the recipe....

Zuccini Raisin Cookies

-3/4 cup shortening
-1 1/2 cups white sugar
-1 egg
-1 tsp vanilla
-1 1/2 cups grated zuccini
-2 1/2 cups flour
-2 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 cup raisins
-small amount powdered sugar

Cream the shortening and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in the zuccini. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add to zuccini mixture. Stir in raisins. Bake at 350 degrees on a greased cookie sheet for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

I recommend that you use a finer grater for the zuccini- it helps to give the cookies a better texture.

Speaking of baking, here are some pictures of my first days in the kitchen....

Cutting out sugar cookies. Would you believe that I still own (and still wear) the shirt I have on in this picture?

I just adored my play kitchen and my fake foods. I never had an Easy-Bake oven, but I didn't need one.

I think that hat is bigger than my head. My second favorite part of this picture is the bowl- my parents recieved it as a wedding present and still have it today.

Another one of my favorite baked good as a kid was lemon cake with lemon frosting. My Mom used to make it for Ryan's birthday every year. At some point, I decided that I liked the cake, too, so now I've had it for my last several birthdays. No secret recipe here--you'll have to call Duncan Hines for that one.

Megan and Ben's Wedding Weekend

Sorry to have been such a stranger lately- I've been a busy bee! I have been picking up extra shifts in the stores during the week nights and on the weekends, plus volunteering at the free clinic in Providence. I can't believe that I only have a little more than 4 weeks left!

Last weekend I flew back to Indy for Megan and Ben's wedding. Well, I guess I also flew back to see Nick, considering I hadn't seen him since mid-March. He just returned from his rotation in China. He had an amazing time with lots of cultural adventures, but I think he was ready to come back to the States.

Friday night, Nick picked me up from the airport, and we went straight to the Rathskeller. There was an unofficial get-together after the official rehersal dinner for the wedding. The weather was perfect for a night at the outdoor biergarten.

Aakash and Lana

If you couldn't guess, David is not camera shy.

I hate my hair in this one (ugh- I need a haircut! Plus, after being awake for more 16 hours, my hair tends to lose its style), but I thought it was a good one of Nick.

Plus, I owe Nick a fashion apology. When he got back from his trip, he was describing some of the things he bought to me over the phone. After describing what was this shirt, I said that I wouldn't like it (I know, I hadn't even seen it yet). I was imagining a ringer tee, which aren't flattering on most people. However, he proved me wrong- I think he looks handsome.

On Saturday morning, we woke up at 6:30 AM for a big breakfast and golf. Nick and 3 of his friends had a 7:50 AM tee time, so they wanted to make sure I was up, moving, and ready to go by 7:25 (who, me, not a morning person? Never! I'm actually getting a lot better, if you can believe that!) The golf course let me tag along with them for free and even gave me a six iron to borrow for the course. (I would have used Nick's clubs, but they are for lefties.) I think I surprised Nick's friends when they found out I could actually hit the ball. I mean, it was nothing to write home about (even though that's kind of what I'm doing now), but it looked pretty good for someone who hadn't picked up a club in more than a year.

Make way for ducklings! Mr. and Mrs. Mallard lead their ducklings (is this what I am supposed to call them?) to water.

Assessing the green situation. I grew up watching golf tournaments on t.v. with my Dad, and looking at the slope has always seemed to me like it takes *forever* for golfers to do.

Doesn't this water station remind you of Snoopy's dog house?

Pretty close if you ask me!

After walking nine holes, I decided that I needed a little R and R for myself. Not really knowing where I was going, I took off to find a place to get a manicure and pedicure. I was in luck- there was one that was less than a mile down the street in a Kroger plaza (when in doubt, strip malls, especially those with grocery stores, are great places to look).

Later than afternoon, we went to Ben and Megan's ceremony at the Methodist church at 38th and Meridian (NW corner). I had never been in there before, but the sanctuary was "fancier" than I thought it would be- stained glasses windows went around 3/4 of the room near the top. I meant to take some pictures before and/or during the ceremony, but someone with a giant head (a bird ran into my giant, freak head!!!) ended up sitting in front of me. Not only that, i was sitting in the very middle of the pew, in the middle of the section, which didn't help my situation.

But don't fear! I took lots of pictures at the reception, which took place at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. This was the first wedding I had been to there (I've been to a concert and a dance there), and I was impressed with their level of service. The room is very unique- lots of architectural detail (Click here for my post on IRB from earlier this year.) The food was pretty basic and didn't stand out too much, but I'm not much of a foodie and definitely should not be the judge of food.

Nick and Lee after the ceremony in their new suits. Someone said that Nick looked like a Secret Service agent when he was wearing his sunglasses (but that's not necesssarily a bad thing!).

Allie and I during the cocktail hour- she graduated this year but will still be in Indy next year when I move back- yah!

The boys are back in town! (from left to right)- Mike, Nick, David, Aakash. Mike is moving to Wisconsin (Madison) to start his residency, and David moved back to NYC on Monday for his residency. Both Nick and Aakash will still be at IU this next year.

I don't care what Nick says, I will miss you, David!

Roommates for 2 years, friends for life (cheesey, I know)

Lana and Mike on the dance floor. I love the way her dress looks in this picture- I think they look like models for Express.

I couldn't decide which picture of Nick and I was my favorite, so I'll let you be the judge. Nick and I have differences in opinion on the best photo (I don't like when my smile gets too "gummy," he doesn't like it when his chin is tucked in). Which one is your pick?

Photo #1 (My hair is in the way a little)

Photo #2 (This one is great because this is Nick's real smile- his smile is like a rare type of jungle cat. It might be there, but you can't always catch it on film. I'm not a fan of the left half because I think my smile is too "gummy.")

Photo #3 (I made a total rookie mistake- never put your arms against your body. As you can see, it only makes them look bigger.)

Photo #4 (Nick's head is tilted back)

Which picture is your favorite???

Kisses and Castles

While searching for my new craft objects of desire (dresden trim and paper cut-outs), I somehow discovered a store called "Castle in the Air." It is a small, family-owned business in California that carries specialty craft items, not your run-of-the-mill Michael's or Jo-Ann's. (Not that I don't love those stores, but sometimes you have to step out of the box to find new ideas.) They carry dresden trim, German glass glitter, sheet paper (gorgeous Italian marble and other fine prints), calligraphy supplies (my next big adventure), and some miscellaneous items.

I've never considered myself a romantic. In fact, one day I was hanging out with Chelsea, and I don't remember how the subject came up, but for one reason or another I denied being a romantic. I can't recite her words verbatim, but it was something like, "You have got to be kidding me!" I think I mainly denied being a romantic because of fashion magazines.... you know, they have four different types of styles, such as classic, modern, romantic, and bohemian. If I have to place myself in one of those categories fashion-wise, it definitely isn't romantic (although I do love to get dressed up). But outside of clothing styles and perfumes (not a huge floral person), I'd guess I fall into the romantic category because I love love.

Anyways, while looking through their holiday section, I fell in love with a few Valentine's Day pieces. The two books shown below are reprints of short paperback books published in the early 1900's. I'm not sure what I will do with them yet, but a time will come when they are just what I need. I have turned old books into scrapbooks before, which can be just lovely. These books are substantial enough for a scrapbook, but they could definitely be part of one.

I love the subtitle, "How to Win a Lover." The book is filled with relationship rules, but it also has a section that details the meanings of flowers.

I can't wait to read this section, which includes "lovers' quarrels," "love-letter writing," and "women men dislike."

"The Book of the Kiss" is filled with quotes and short stories.

I also bought this screen printed card. I think alphabet cards and posters (especially in children's bedrooms or playrooms) are charming... Growing up, my brother had one that was hand-embroidered. I have a full set of alphabet cards from Martha Stewart crafts hopefully I'll put to use someday.

Below are pictures of the new tablecloth I bought last weekend....

A bouquet in a corner of the piece

A close-up of the cake and present

The middle of the tablecloth has several repeating phrases, including "good luck," "happiness," "congratulations," and "best wishes."

This is 1/4 of the tablecloth. I haven't measured it yet, but it should fit on a medium size square table.

I think I'll be helping my Mom make some wedding invitations when I go home for Memorial Day, and I will be sure to take pictures to share with you- she is so talented! Hope everyone is having a great week. Cheers!

Someone's Trash Is My Treasure

Another busy weekend in Rhode Island.... I picked up extra shifts in stores on Friday and Sunday to make some extra money (moving trucks are expensive!!). I am definitely going to have to get used to standing on my feet for long periods of time again... my legs were aching when I woke up this morning.

After breakfast on Saturday, I packed a backpack with a reusable bag, a poncho, a water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and cash. No, I wasn't going hiking, but you're not that far off. I drove to Massachusetts for the Brimfield Antique Show. The Brimfield Antique Show is the largest antique show in the United States. Along with some of my other adventures, it is also in my "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" and "10 Best of Everything" books. Instead of re-creating the wheel, here' s a short synopsis of what the show is all about:

The Brimfield Antiques Show began in the 1950's and has become the largest and best-known outdoor antiques show in the country. Running along Rt. 20 for a distance of perhaps a half-mile and perhaps 500' or more, back on each side of the highway, the Brimfield Show is a huge, vast undertaking, filled with thousands of dealers dealers over the course of the week, selling everything from the finest antiques to 'yard junk', requiring a day or two to see everything there is to see. Food courts and rest facilities abound, and the Shows are filled with hidden treasures and the 'right kind of people', creating a safe and fun environment for everyone, children included. Shows are patrolled by uniformed and undercover police, and rarely is there any trouble of any kind.

Brimfield is a quaint, picturesque rural New England town, home to 3,000 residents. Founded in 1731, (the year before George Washington was born), the town's 35 square miles are surrounded by apple orchards, horse farms, and wooded hills in an area known as the Pioneer Valley, and Foothills of the Berkshires.
During show-times, the town's population balloons to over 250,000 visitors and over 5,000 dealers for the 6 days the Show operates. The Show has a carnival-like atmosphere, appropriate for all ages, where good vibes prevail, (and few, if any problems ever present themselves).

Dealers come from all over the world as do visitors. From millionaire world-famous rock stars and movie stars to the local resident from down the street, the Show is a Mecca for serious and casual collectors of all kinds of antiques. A few of the Fields require an entrance fee on the initial opening, usually $5.00-10.00, which tends to be waived later in the day. Most fields do not have any entrance fee, and generally, you can move freely from field to field.

Well, I didn't see any rockstars, but I saw plenty of other people. It's hard to really understand how many people are packed into such a small space until you are there. All things considered, everything runs very smoothly. ... I didn't see any fights, hear any cars honk, or any other type of chaos (not that most people interested in antiques would start a riot or anything). It was very easy to find parking (I had a harder time finding my car later in the day), and I didn't have to pay to get into any of the "fields. The traffic turned out not to be that bad on my way in (especially since I came later in the day), but I had a slight delay on my way home (only a half an hour, so not *that* bad). The whole "Fields" and "Promoters" thing can be a bit confusing ,so I'll break it down for you:

1. The Show does not have any formal organization with the exception of the dates, which are chosen by some county auxiallary group. It occurs for five-six days three times a year. The days and times are dependent upon the Promoters...

2. The Promoters are the people that host the "Fields." They are generally local townspeople who rent out their yard/field/space during the show. They are responsible for providing bathrooms, security, etc. Depending on the location and the Field, the promoter charges the antique dealers $XXX to have a booth at their field.

3. The Fields are where the show is held. Each field is run by a different promoter and given a different name. For example, two sisters (the promoters) run "J & J Productions" (the Field) that is known for its high quality and rare items (from the dealers).

Here are a few of my pictures from Saturday...

The show is set along the highway, but the highway becomes more of a sidewalk three weeks a year

There are food vendors with everything from a pickle on a stick to fried dough, lemonade to root beet floats. Yum.

Cowboy boots made of metal, anyone? You laugh, but I saw a guy carrying one later that day.

There was a beautiful display selling salvaged fountains and statues... I would have bought this metal archway/gazebo (not sure what to call it), but it wouldn't fit in my car.

Lots of old furniture...

And buddha statues? This place has everything! (Think: Ghostbusters quote)

I didn't go to the show looking for any specific items, so I did a lot of wandering and people-watching. However, I did find a few things I couldn't live without (of course!). I bought about a dozen old Indianapolis postcards that featured downtown highlights and the city. Not only do I love to write letters, the postcards themselves are adorable. On top of that, the artwork isn't copyrighted, so you can reprint the images. I'm thinking of using them for a craft project I've been wating to try. I also got a few cigar boxes ($3 each!), which are great for getting organized. I like to keep cards or jewelry in them.

My favorite find of the day came within the first 20 minutes I was browsing. Both my Mom and I really like vintage linens, i.e. tablecloths, runners, aprons. These items were so carefully hand-crafted back in the 1940's and 1950's- you can't find anything like them in stores today. Aprons are often hand-stitched and featured special appliques, and tablecloths were hand-printed. There was a mega-booth (probably the size of a medium-sized garage) that only had vintage linens. Even though I was by myself, I felt like I had come with a dozen other ladies. We were all oooh-ing and aaah-ing over finds one another had pulled out of the pile.

I hadn't really found anything that I loved, so I headed to the back table to look at 'Novelty" tablecloths. As I sorted through the pile, I came across the most wonderful vintage tablecloth I have ever seen. It was pink and light green with flowers on it. When I started to look closer, I noticed that there was a present on it... and then a cake... and then an umbrella. Yes, it was a tablecloth for a bridal shower! I talked to the owner of the booth, who told me that she had only seen two of these in 15 years of collecting vintage linens. I had the feeling that if I walked away, I would never see it again. It wasn't cheap, but I don't regret getting it at all. I haven't taken any pictures of it, but I'll be sure to post some soon. Someone hurry up and get engaged- I'm ready to throw a bridal shower!