I don't use this anymore...
I will say a lot has happened since I last posted here a year ago. The guy I mentioned in my last post that I bonded with on the cruise? We've been dating for almost 11 months now and are going strong. I love him more than anything in this world. Unfortunately he's in VA and I'm in CO but we're making it work. I think it's made our relationship amazingly strong, and I'm thankful for that.
I'm no longer working for the government... I packed up my life and moved to Denver in August of 2008 to attend the University of Denver to pursue my Masters in International Development and Environmental Sustainability. Life is hectic and I miss my friends and family, but school has been amazing and I can't wait to see what kind of doors it opens for me after graduation.
The only reason I'm updating and on here is to stalk my friend Christina. Hi, Christina! It's much easier to use the "follow" feature on blogger and have her posts e-mailed to me than have to check it all the time. I'm lazy, I know.
That's my life in a nutshell. I probably won't be on here anymore from this point out. So, adios!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hold on tight...
Life has been a little insane lately. Lots of good things, some bad things, etc. The usual, I suppose.
Okay, let's do the bad things first:
1. Both grad schools said no. Disappointing, but whatever. I'm over it. Screw them. Don't want to talk about it.
2. Work sucks. Found out the promotion I was given FIVE MONTHS AGO isn't going to go through. We've been waiting for a replacement, and it took my company so long to find someone that the government agency I currently work for decided to fill the spot with a fed instead of a contractor. Extremely pissed off about this. Not over it. Actively looking for something else.
Now on to the good!
1. My nephew was born! They named him Ryan Alexander, he's 7lbs3oz, and absolutely beautiful. I was able to go to the hospital and see him when he was only four hours old. How amazing is that?! He has the cutest, fat, round little baby face I've ever seen. He looks like a little gnome. So adorable. We had a wicked long snuggle session on Easter Sunday that involved me on my back on the couch and him belly down on my chest passed out like any week old baby should be. So. Freaking. CUTE.
2. I went on a cruise with some awesome people from CNU and had an absolute BLAST. It was exactly what I needed and I'm officially in love with the Bahamas, especially Little Stirrup Key.
3. Dumped the boyfriend. Is it bad that's a good thing? Haha. He's a nice guy, but just not the right one for me, and I feel so much better now that it's over with and I'm single again.
4. Talking to an amazing guy currently. He's pretty great, but I can't tell if he likes me or just wants to be good friends. Only time will tell. I smile and get butterflies when I think about him. :)
5. I'm learning French. I need to buy some sort of program to listen to on my iPod, but my work offered free registration to Rosetta Stone, so I just started their beginner French lessons. SO excited.
6. Things with Calvin are great! He is learning to bend and stay in frame, and we've just started jumping again. His owner is taking dressage lessons with him each week and said it's okay if I want to take jumping lessons once a week as well. Those will start soon. She also wants me to come with her for the dressage lessons so we can share the lesson and learn together. She is a pretty cool lady, and so generous. I haven't seen Calvin in two weeks because I've been gone on the cruise, and I am SO excited to see him tonight and finally get to ride again!
7. I found someone to play tennis with! We are going to meet up once a week and just hit around so we can both get our skills back. My first day was this week and I was so happy it seemed to come back so quickly. I'm definitely insanely rusty after five years of not playing, but it feels amazing to be playing again. I'm supposed to meet with two other people so hopefully one of them will work out and I'll be able to play twice a week instead of just once.
8. Between Kendra, myself, and Hayley, we have raised $2,300 for the Great Strides walk!!!! I am in such awe of all the amazing people who have donated to our team. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone.
9. BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE (and my boys are starting off great)!
Annnnnd I'm spent.
Okay, let's do the bad things first:
1. Both grad schools said no. Disappointing, but whatever. I'm over it. Screw them. Don't want to talk about it.
2. Work sucks. Found out the promotion I was given FIVE MONTHS AGO isn't going to go through. We've been waiting for a replacement, and it took my company so long to find someone that the government agency I currently work for decided to fill the spot with a fed instead of a contractor. Extremely pissed off about this. Not over it. Actively looking for something else.
Now on to the good!
1. My nephew was born! They named him Ryan Alexander, he's 7lbs3oz, and absolutely beautiful. I was able to go to the hospital and see him when he was only four hours old. How amazing is that?! He has the cutest, fat, round little baby face I've ever seen. He looks like a little gnome. So adorable. We had a wicked long snuggle session on Easter Sunday that involved me on my back on the couch and him belly down on my chest passed out like any week old baby should be. So. Freaking. CUTE.
2. I went on a cruise with some awesome people from CNU and had an absolute BLAST. It was exactly what I needed and I'm officially in love with the Bahamas, especially Little Stirrup Key.
3. Dumped the boyfriend. Is it bad that's a good thing? Haha. He's a nice guy, but just not the right one for me, and I feel so much better now that it's over with and I'm single again.
4. Talking to an amazing guy currently. He's pretty great, but I can't tell if he likes me or just wants to be good friends. Only time will tell. I smile and get butterflies when I think about him. :)
5. I'm learning French. I need to buy some sort of program to listen to on my iPod, but my work offered free registration to Rosetta Stone, so I just started their beginner French lessons. SO excited.
6. Things with Calvin are great! He is learning to bend and stay in frame, and we've just started jumping again. His owner is taking dressage lessons with him each week and said it's okay if I want to take jumping lessons once a week as well. Those will start soon. She also wants me to come with her for the dressage lessons so we can share the lesson and learn together. She is a pretty cool lady, and so generous. I haven't seen Calvin in two weeks because I've been gone on the cruise, and I am SO excited to see him tonight and finally get to ride again!
7. I found someone to play tennis with! We are going to meet up once a week and just hit around so we can both get our skills back. My first day was this week and I was so happy it seemed to come back so quickly. I'm definitely insanely rusty after five years of not playing, but it feels amazing to be playing again. I'm supposed to meet with two other people so hopefully one of them will work out and I'll be able to play twice a week instead of just once.
8. Between Kendra, myself, and Hayley, we have raised $2,300 for the Great Strides walk!!!! I am in such awe of all the amazing people who have donated to our team. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone.
9. BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE (and my boys are starting off great)!
Annnnnd I'm spent.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Rest In Peace
I wasn't sure if I wanted to post about this, but then I decided I wanted to spread information on this terrible disease.
On January 12th of this year, a good friend of mine passed away. He was my best friend's fiance and I have known him since my freshman year of high school. Michael had Cystic Fibrosis, which is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. Mike was diagnosed with this horrible disease at four months of age.
On January 8th, Mike went into the hospital for routine check ups and CF maintenance. He was to finally be put on the active list for a double lung transplant at the end of that week, after three long years of fighting for that position. The next morning, his doctors entered his room to find him unconcious and not breathing. They were able to revive him after twelve minutes and he was placed on a ventilator. Throughout the day his fever spiked and he began having seizures every few minutes. These continued for the better part of the day. They finally subsided enough for them to run some tests on Mike, to see how much damage had been done. It is unknown how long he was without oxygen before the doctors found him. After an extensive Cat Scan, it was determined that there were two small, but very deep, spots on Mike's brain. An EEG (like an EKG, but for brain function instead of heart) was administered, with preliminary results stating there was no brain activity. They set up another EEG to be performed over 24 hours, which confirmed that Michael was gone. After an MRI, he was legally declared brain dead.
As per Mike's wishes, the decision was made to discontinue life support. On Friday the 11th, a small number of us were allowed to see Mike. There was a small, informal ceremony performed to celebrate Kendra and Mike's union, as she had promised him they would be married before he died. The ceremony was beautiful and Kendra thought Mike could feel us there. On Saturday, Mike was taken off of life support. After 18 minutes he passed away quietly in Kendra's arms and surrounded by his loved ones. They are unsure what caused Mike to go into cardiac and pulmonary arrest just four days previous, and the autopsy was inconclusive. He was 25 years young.
Mike was an amazing man- genuine, kind-hearted, brutally honest, and a great friend. He was one of the most unique individuals I have had the priviledge of knowing, and his carefree attitude and fantastic sense of humor will be greatly missed. This kid could make you laugh on even the darkest of your days and always had something clever up his sleeve. We all loved him and we miss him dearly.
Kendra, Hayley and I will be walking in the Great Strides for CF walk on May 7th, 2008. We must raise $1,500 to participate and have already reached $600. Hopefully we will continue to receive donations and will reach $1,500 if not more! We are very excited about doing this in memory of Mike. A cure MUST be found so the numerous families do not have to experience the pain we have all gone through over the past two weeks.
Michael Neal Perryman
11.11.82 - 01.12.08
Breathe easy, my friend.
On January 12th of this year, a good friend of mine passed away. He was my best friend's fiance and I have known him since my freshman year of high school. Michael had Cystic Fibrosis, which is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. Mike was diagnosed with this horrible disease at four months of age.
On January 8th, Mike went into the hospital for routine check ups and CF maintenance. He was to finally be put on the active list for a double lung transplant at the end of that week, after three long years of fighting for that position. The next morning, his doctors entered his room to find him unconcious and not breathing. They were able to revive him after twelve minutes and he was placed on a ventilator. Throughout the day his fever spiked and he began having seizures every few minutes. These continued for the better part of the day. They finally subsided enough for them to run some tests on Mike, to see how much damage had been done. It is unknown how long he was without oxygen before the doctors found him. After an extensive Cat Scan, it was determined that there were two small, but very deep, spots on Mike's brain. An EEG (like an EKG, but for brain function instead of heart) was administered, with preliminary results stating there was no brain activity. They set up another EEG to be performed over 24 hours, which confirmed that Michael was gone. After an MRI, he was legally declared brain dead.
As per Mike's wishes, the decision was made to discontinue life support. On Friday the 11th, a small number of us were allowed to see Mike. There was a small, informal ceremony performed to celebrate Kendra and Mike's union, as she had promised him they would be married before he died. The ceremony was beautiful and Kendra thought Mike could feel us there. On Saturday, Mike was taken off of life support. After 18 minutes he passed away quietly in Kendra's arms and surrounded by his loved ones. They are unsure what caused Mike to go into cardiac and pulmonary arrest just four days previous, and the autopsy was inconclusive. He was 25 years young.
Mike was an amazing man- genuine, kind-hearted, brutally honest, and a great friend. He was one of the most unique individuals I have had the priviledge of knowing, and his carefree attitude and fantastic sense of humor will be greatly missed. This kid could make you laugh on even the darkest of your days and always had something clever up his sleeve. We all loved him and we miss him dearly.
Kendra, Hayley and I will be walking in the Great Strides for CF walk on May 7th, 2008. We must raise $1,500 to participate and have already reached $600. Hopefully we will continue to receive donations and will reach $1,500 if not more! We are very excited about doing this in memory of Mike. A cure MUST be found so the numerous families do not have to experience the pain we have all gone through over the past two weeks.
Michael Neal Perryman
11.11.82 - 01.12.08
Breathe easy, my friend.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Start Fresh
I've recently stumbled upon a friend's blog and read a post in which he declares he is going to write something every day. At the risk of being a copy cat, I'm going to steal his idea and try my hardest to write something every single day. I make no promises- most likely it will not be earth-shatteringly philosophical, but if it at least gets my brain going at more than a glacial pace (thank you, working world) I will consider it a success. Sitting and staring at my computer and/or forms all day has slowly turned my brain into something similar to jello. I need to fight this destruction and am determined to win. Take that, 9 to 5.
Let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we?
Oh yeah. Happy New Year.
Let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we?
Oh yeah. Happy New Year.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
weak.
I caved.
I make a pact with myself that I won't listen to Christmas music until Thanksgiving day. Then I can listen to it all I want. This year, I broke. Easy. I was so close! Less than a week away!
The shame.
I needed some Christmas cheer, alright??
I make a pact with myself that I won't listen to Christmas music until Thanksgiving day. Then I can listen to it all I want. This year, I broke. Easy. I was so close! Less than a week away!
The shame.
I needed some Christmas cheer, alright??
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Veteran's Day, 2007.
I went into D.C. yesterday and met a man standing by the Vietnam Memorial. He was dressed in his Veteran clothes and was standing in front of a particular part of the wall. I asked him if I could take his picture and he asked me if he could introduce me to his guys. Three of his men were killed, all in their early 20's, when their boat flipped over during a gunfight. He showed me their names in the wall and told me he shows them to kids when they walk by. He asks them how they honor their Veterans, and they tell him, "with respect." He tells them to honor their Veterans by going to school, getting an education, and making something out of themselves. While it's horrible that this man even had to stand there, hopefully something good will come out of him speaking with the children. Hopefully at least one child will listen to him and take it to heart- get an education, make something out of themselves.
So today, on Veteran's Day, respect and remember every soldier we have lost, but also every soldier who has survived and lives on to tell their story. Live your life with meaning and ensure the loss of so many men and women was not in vain.
I am forever appreciative of everything our men and women in uniform have done, and continue to do, in order to protect our country and keep us safe.
So today, on Veteran's Day, respect and remember every soldier we have lost, but also every soldier who has survived and lives on to tell their story. Live your life with meaning and ensure the loss of so many men and women was not in vain.
I am forever appreciative of everything our men and women in uniform have done, and continue to do, in order to protect our country and keep us safe.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
silence
Asking for peace and quiet in the middle of a busy office in DC is like asking a vegan to eat a steak and wash it down with some milk.
I need a vacation.
I need a vacation.
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