Well, made it to my first casino yesterday. I started off my day by working 6am-12:30pm, then went to the :Our Lady of Fatima" celebration in Biloxi, headed to the wooden boat show, then over to the Palace Casino Resort. I must say, altho it was smoke free (Thank you, PCR) so that I COULD go into it, I am not sure why I would want to again, other than for the food? They do have a hotel but I already live here, so....no, thank you. And they had ads for the spa (must be part of the resort in see in the name). I saw lots of gaming type machines, none which seemed required any sort of actual skill. I saw some dealers at tables with decks of cards and I am well aware that I am NOT a poker player so walked past them. Saw a roulette wheel (also a game of chance, in my book) or two. And I saw a lot of people. The restrooms were incredibly clean, which I greatly appreciate in any place where I might spend time. Now, I am headed off to choir at St Patrick's.... have to practice for next week's big number :-)

anniversaries

It's been two years since I first came to visit my (now) home state... and life is still perfect. By perfect I mean I am incredibly happy, in spite of the occasional hurdle placed in my path by Life. My one year anniversary at work came and went, so I got a week of vacation, which I spent in Alabama camping. I have been attending St Pat's for a year, in which I got to know and spend time with Father David, who's last day was yesterday. He, too, moves onward. Sad to see him go but happy to see that he is doing the next right thing for him and his family, that he is continuing the journey of growth he has been called to follow. And, another year spent in school, and now the end of that is almost within sight. After Sunday's bittersweet leave-taking, we went to White Caps for brunch, came home & walked the dog, berry picking in The Pass, the Blessing of the Fleet in PC, fed seagulls loaves of french bread and took a gazillion photos, and a lovely evening spent in quiet reflection (reflection of me in laptop screen going thru those gazillion photos, sigh). Got a new firepit... so excited! Been wanting to replace one left behind last year. This one was a STEAL for only $20. Gotta love roomie-she can find deals in the oddest places! Did the first burn on the new moon.... wanted to manifest healing for the seller of house so she can get healed and sign papers and then moving in will commence. Hate to pack but will be SO worth it... my own home.... with space for ALL my stuff...even all my paper!!

Almost done

So... finally finished the classroom part of my education towards becoming a certified Patient Care Technician for Dialysis. GPA is a 4.0, as attested to by the invite and certificate I was awarded at the school recognition ceremony. That was nice :-)

What am I doing now? WAITING... I have to perform 300 hours (class & clinic) before I can take my state boards. Went to DaVita Slidell last Thursday to tour the facility and speak to the FA (facility administrator) about externing there. Passed the Phone interview the last week of March, so that is one hurdle down. Now have to do a panel interview and clear a few more hurdles. After getting on there, I will do my hours and learn all that I can from the Preceptor I get paired with.

On the other side of life, I am still working full time and I have a standing date for drinks & conversation on Wednesdays...that is the highlight of my week. Nothing like good friends and good conversation to really please a Gemini, LOL. One of the good things about being finished with the classroom part of school is that there is no more homework so I actually HAVE a little bit of time for social exercises.

And now.. off to class I go, gotta check in and see if there is any word yet from Slidell.

checking in...

Made a 100 on the Final for HD Tech 1... and my final class grade was a 99.7 (100). Hurray!!!

so, on another site, I posted my input for the day.. thought I would share it here as well since I am trying to carve out more time to post on here... hard to do with full time classes, full time job, part time bookkeeping and oh, yeah.. time to make greeting cards... argh!!

i live for myself, unto myself. I am complete unto myself. I strive for my own affirmation and reassurance and altho i don't NEED to hear it from others, hearing it helps me know that I am, indeed, shining. I am, at times, my own worst critic and my biggest fan. depends on the day. Being secure in myself (in whatever form I show up on any given day) helps me to be genuine in my dealings with others and present in their moment, recognizing when they shine or lending a hand when they don't... we all could use some SHINE in our lives... and love really DOES make the world go 'round.

Final and lent

So, sitting in class waiting to take my final in hemodialysis technology 1. And, decided to give up grains and processed food for the rest of Lent. Wish me luck on both!

Mardi Gras

I spent Mardi Gras working, but not too shabby of a day for that.... Sunday was a terrific day at choir then relaxing, studied some for Wednesday's final exam. Worked Monday & Tuesday 9-5am because school was closed (President's Day & Mardi Gras, respectively) and now I am (again) studying some more for tomorrow's final. Looked at my calendar... WOW... only 7 more weeks of class to go... then on to my externship and then hopefully get hired by DaVita shortly after that!

happy hallmark holiday...

So, today, I spent in the floral dept, helping out the head of the dept on what arguably is the busiest day of the year. I got to help ppl pick out suitable arrangements (or make one) and plushies and had a high time tying bows and gluing baubles onto them... lots of shine and happiness... all for a holiday I really do not support. Don't get me wrong... i love LOVE... I just think it should be expressed every day, not once a year. Let me know that you cherish and adore and appreciate me every day, not just on Valentine's Day... and dont get me started on the whole cut flower labor issues in the flower industry... I can't say anything about chocolate, at least not dark chocolate... LOL... have a blessed day and remember those that you love every day.. I know I do...

Vicksburg Battlefields

Spent a lovely weekend in Vicksburg, MS for the 185th Council of the MS Diocese. Why? Because they let me sing! LOL... St Patrick's choir director was invited to play piano for the convention and so, as part of that choir, a few of us went up to sing with him... and about 35 other choir members from around MS. I had a blast...got there early Saturday so I could walk around the city (in the rain) and after practice went and had some awesome tavern grub (crawfish & shrimp etouffe). Sunday, after we sang, I drove through one of the historic battlefields, saw what was left of the U.S.S. Cairo, and the graveyard.... pretty cool. Now, off to school.

back to school

break over.. but got some sleep... got promoted at work, got some stuff done... had terrific weekend... met the Bishop... took some interesting photos... and now I am headed to bed because class starts back up tomorrow morning... bright and early...
here is one of my pics on way back home...

Hello 2012!

So, came back home to Jan 30th, spent New Year's Eve at work, then walked the dog and went to bed... all before 10pm. ZZZZZZZZZZ What can I say? I recognize the joy of everyday, not just when the clock strikes midnight.