Fighter.

I've been a fighter since birth. I say this considering the fact that I died maybe once or twice before the age of 1...but here I am...living and breathing. Sometimes I wonder how I can maintain such a positive attitude considering all the animosity and challenges I have faced in these past years. I don't think I really know the answer to that question. Then again... I think I do. I think I have found that despite all the fight, and the feeling that the odds are sometimes stacked against me...I always come out on top. I always learn something more about me from the fight. I have learned to become more adventurous because of my fight. For making myself do things that are uncomfortable and outside of my comfort zone... I always pick the fight because I don't believe in walking away from things when they are hard. Then I would always wonder. I've only ever felt like I walked away from one thing...and I did that only because I knew it was the only thing left to do. So, I'm just gonna face it. I'm a fighter. It is what I do. Being a fighter has gotten me everywhere...so where will it be next?

Oh, the places you and I'll go...

...feels good to be out on two wheels...I could ride forever...and ever...with you...

I left my heart in San Francisco...

...on a crowded street somewhere. I love that city and when I visit there... I always feel like it will one day be my home. I want to go back to school and it is about time I start to consider it on a realistic basis. So, time will tell... I am getting to this place where I feel it is time to leave SD behind...and see what else the world has to offer. I think 7 years have passed...and now...I've got an itch...or maybe a fever...got any cowbell? My life has changed a lot in 7 years...and me too. I'm happy. Oh, so...happy...breathing in fresh air.

In the ER we call this..."Cray. Cray."

These are my thoughts, and one recent related experience with "crazy," brought to light courtesy of the goodness that is this little blurb on the Steez...http://www.antisteez.com/random/the-duchess-of-doral/, and maybe the letter F...for FUCK IT. If you listen to the audio accompanying it (yeah, that up there)...imagine trying to find out from this person why they thought they should come to the ER. Very few of them come in because they think they are crazy. Mostly, they have 15 other complaints such as...back ache, sore throat, achy joints, rare genetic disorder which causes them to "stop breathing" if they look at the color green, finger pain since 1984. All time classic line, "SO what bothers you SO MUCH right now that made you think you have to come to the ER? You can only pick ONE THING."

Anyway, these were my thoughts after reading and listening to this... this morning...

I like her "Hamburglar," get-up the best. I wonder if she pays for her food at McDonald's in euros? Just 'cause she rich! I can see it now...
Duchess: "What do you mean you don't take euros in America? If your dumb American ass knew how much money I just handed you..you would pay for my Filet o' Fish with your own money and put my Euros in your pocket. Then head immediately to the nearest currency exchange. Then you might purchase some of my many books and films which have been acknowledge by superior minds"
Ahhh, I interview people like this at triage in the ER all the time. Trying to get this person to focus is the most circular-nonsense-jibber-jabber you will ever encounter. Good times. In fact, I met one sitting in the Social Security Office last week. Had to finally get my papers legit to remain a US citizen and avoid being deported to Nilbog. Anyway, that is neither here nor there...
While at the good 'ole SSO a 6 foot burly white woman with hair that rivaled Erykah Badu's fro was holding a life-sized stuffed seal swaddled in a blanket like a baby. She looks over at me, dead in the eye and says, "I've been waiting 5 hours in the broiling heat for Sylvester Stallone just to find out what he's gonna do!" Not only was this hilarious but I was so happy to be acknowledged by this phantom of the city. The one whom I've seen carting around that "thing under a blanket" all about downtown. I had been in suspense for weeks!
Every time I see her hobbling down the street I feel like yelling out, "What's behind door number 2?" Instead, I just try to walk close to catch a peak, my mind making up multiple scenarios,,, a baby doll, a live animal, legless midget-bum-partner... only to find it is a seal. Interesting choice. I was still voting for the legless midget-bum-partner envisioning her feeding him, yes him, like a baby bird. Damn. Then, at the end of our exchange, I realized, she looked me in the eye and spoke to me and the 15 other people in her head...and I began to wonder...what they were like too? Then I came back to reality as my number was being served at window 2 and I slowly got up and walked away thinking, "What the fuck is she talking about...its not even hot outside?"

Across the Universe...

Sitting here tonight with a restless heart and open mind. Things seem to fall into place in an odd shaped pattern sometimes. I don't feel the fear that I have experienced in the past. Just trying to not think too much about it and let things unfold as they come but I can't seem not to feel as though I am suffocating from time to time. Overwhelming it is. Choking on your heart is not always an option! Therefore, my...thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box...they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.

Coachella 2010. Over. Out.

It is with long faces and sleepy heads that we packed up our camp and drove away from Coachella. This was my first year, as previous years I was in Nursing School and had absolutely ZERO life. All in all I have never been happier to sweat, stink, not wear any shoes, and minimal clothing for 3 days. All in the midst of good music and company. I realize, I am, after all, a gypsy nomad at heart. Already can't wait for next year. Next year we plan on being bigger, badder, and better. Sometimes the good times have to come to a periodic end. Now there is a buzz about all of us traveling to Tennessee for Bonnaroo. We will see where the winds carry us as our sails unfold... on and on into the vast oblivion of love and happiness.

I'm BACK!!

I have had this blog for an insane amount of time. Longer than I can recall. Mostly it was always family oriented but not it will be not-oriental to anything but what the hell I am thinking, doing, and being. Or any of the other random things that I encounter, or am a part of, or think. Mainly, I am telling everyone reading this not to expect all fancy pants and appropriate all the time....'cause we all know...that AIN'T (spelled in capitals to defy....RRRAAARRR.) ME.

Anyway, I am gonna go to sleep and hopefully I will have something amazing to speak of tomorrow. As for this night. I am semi-intoxicated and well.... need to be on my way to the dreaming of REM sleep. Hope to see you there.....

Dear Blog

I have not forgotten you. I am currently trying to get my life together. When it happens. I will blog. Right now it is so up and down and chaotic at times, and that makes blogging no fun.

Wishing...

I had the balls to say all the things I think to the world. My heart bleeding for all to see. Somehow I think that would help me gain a rare form of sanity. Somehow I still remain scared. Why the torture?

For reals.

My girls and I, officially known as "the nurses" as of this morning. We passed our boards with flying colors. Now I must consume copius amounts of wine considering I am off for 3 days.

Ain't that a bitch?

Yes, yes.... we took our NCLEX today. Melo, Chara, Neriss, and Liz are done. Jax is up to bat tomorrow. We are going for the win. (Mel is already in with her results and she passed, but we knew she would!) So now it is up to the rest of the team to bring it home. Ironically, I get my first "nursing paycheck" tomorrow...without my license...yet. Waiting for results sucks.

All in together now!

Our first official day as nurses was Tuesday. We all start our shift this week. My first is tomorrow. Here is the lovely bunch of new grads!

Brain Trust

The Nurses and I got together at Jax's casa for a study sesh today (for the most important test of our lives today). It worked very well and went by quick. Thursday we conquer 150 questions, then we eat pizza, watch the Laker game, and have drinks. I am excited. BE EXCITED, B-E EXCITED. Melody, my dear, I hope you can make it. It will be good to see some b-ball rivalry go down before me eyes.

Summertime and the livins' easy

Ah, yes. Sunday we went to our first concert of the summer, the FM 94.9 Independence Jam. We saw a ton of great bands both local and nationally known such as, Cold War Kids, Santogold, the Ting Tings, The Whigs, MGMT, The Hold Steady, Transfer, The Muslims, and more. All of them sounded great live too... an added bonus.


My plan is to attend all the concerts I can this summer. Even Mr. James Purvis went, and he was not really feeling it at first. By the end of the day he said he had the best time ever! I know there are a whole lot more good times ahead during the warm and lazy days of summer!

D-Day

I just freaked myself out. I signed up to take my BOARDS! The NCLEX-RN examination will be taking place on Tuesday, July 1st at 8 AM, for me, here in San Diego.

Yeah, just a little scary. I have started to study but I am sooooo paranoid. I didn't take the "prep course" and I know I will be okay. I know it. But there is a fear in me. Then the next minute I think I will be fine. My head still feels foggy. Like I have been eating clouds all day. I have not taken pain pills in over 24 hours. What? OH MY, what if I have that thing, that thing we learned about in class, where people wake up from surgery and they are just, "not quite right", OH GOD, what if I have that?
SNAP OUT OF IT. Liz, you don't have that. Stop thinking crazy thoughts. Just gather your things. You will be great. You are a rock star. You just completed three years, no wait, like 8 years of school. You are a pro test taker. Test quiver when they hear your name.

Mommy?!

Death to Darth Vader

A little tidbit I forgot to mention. I got my nose fixed. NO, not a nose job. Just tweaked the inside of my smeller so that I can breathe like a normal person and hopefully get sick a whole lot less. This is very exciting and blog worthy to me! I am tired of hearing, "Gee Liz! You get sick more than the Ebola monkey." Also, quite frankly, I am tired of feeling like one too. Antibiotics are not my friends.

So I am not feeling too bad but not fabulous either. Chara picked me up afterwards and stayed with me like the wonderful nurse she is until Jimmy could come get me. They told her I could not be alone for 24 hours, and she took this very seriously even though I tried to convince her to take me home, she would not. Then, I was also really surprised she let me go home with Jimmy, because if I remember correctly the paper did say RESPONSIBLE ADULT in big, black, bold letters--- and she signed it. Therefore, I maybe should have stayed at her and Ben's and not with Jimmy. Just kidding!

Here are a few shots of the good times, plus they gave me Vicodin, which is not very good to take when trying to study for the NCLEX. Therefore, after tonight, no more Vicodin for Lizard. I must save brain cells for learning.

Waking up from my nap I had to snap this shot of my loves sleeping with me on the couch.
Boomer just lays with me all day, watching me..
Once in a while he brings me coffee and gives me kisses, he said they have healing powers.

I'm back!

Nursing school is over!!! Ding dong the witch is dead. I have been very MIA since December due to staying busy with school and rocking my last semester. I am almost official (still waiting to take Boards) and I do indeed have my first dream job at a great hospital as an ER Nurse. I start in a few weeks.

In the past few weeks this is what I have been doing...

Mom and Dad visited for the festivities which was a great graduation present in itself.
I made them proud (and me too!)...
These are the girls and I posing with our first clinical instructor, Professor Kohler. She even had the honor of being the first nursing instructor to EVER pin students at our "Pinning Ceremony" she was very touched and honored, as were we. I have come to love these ladies and hope to always have them in my life. We got each other through nursing school.

Our post-graduation party extravaganza, not even the rain could stop us...
Then it was off to Mexico. Thanks to Chara and Ben for inviting Nicole and I along. Oh, and a big thank you to Ben's Dad, Mr. Roy, for giving us his place to stay in for the week. My pal Squints a.k.a Nicole, met us there all the way from the MIA. Plus, I got to meet Brandon and Chelsea. who are soooo much fun! They are the coolest ever and I hope to hang with them again in the NEAR future. It was a great trip here are some outtakes. Or you can also visit their blogs as posted to the right... and see their pics too!

Getting our barter on at the Bucerias Flea Market...

Here we are eating some great food at a place on the beach called, "Fat Boys" in Bucerias.

I will be posting the rest (PG-13 of course) on my MySpace later on tomorrow. The day after we got back Chara and I both had strange cravings for Mexican food, all the great seafood we had been eating, and of course chips and salsa. Plus, we discovered a margarita recipe which the Charo loves! Always a bonus.

December in Florida...

Nuff said.

I think I can, I think I can't, I think...

That is what I am saying. I am saying I cannot study. I do not know why. Maybe I do not care. But I do care. But this seems to easy. How could I not know this. UGH!!!! Can't wait till it is all over.

Dear Blog,

I am sorry I neglect you so.

I wish I could come here and take care of you daily.

I do not.

I am bad for not sharing the many thoughts in my brain with you.

One day I will love you the most, more than my other blog.

I am sorry.

Love Lizard,

P.S. I am cold and tired.