Is pink my X'mas color?

Merry X'mas and Happy Year 2007!!

It seems that I always hang out with Karen (cousin) and Ron during X'mas eve. The past two X'mas eves since I moved from Texas, I spent my time with friends and family for X'mas. I was in New York with my aunt and cousins two years before. My next year must be in Taiwan. Then it comes new year. My most unforgetable New Year was probably year 2005 at a bar in New York. Counting down the time and celebrating with champine, it was 100 times exciting when so many people celebrated with you yelling out "Happy New Year" as the TV screen showing neon, x'mas tree, and thousand silver sprinkle confetti (do you know they used 3tons of confetti this year in NY) piecese falling like snowing.

I think of going to different countries for X'mas. That should be fun. The other day I was writing X'mas cards sending out to Japan, England, Norway, Texas, and Taiwan. By the time I ran out of my cards, I still have many friends that I want to write to. My x'mas cards always becomes New Year greeting card for friends. Now I am still writing some friends through email for happy new year. Finding a balance point in work, school and life is just "too fun".

X'mas cake contest!

Merry X'mas!! It is almost year 2007 and I am not in New York. Coming home with my heavy body, I am bitten at work today! One discharge, one admission, one dementia, one congestive heart failure post operation 2 months, and seems all of them were confused. Haven't worked day shift for so long, I think I stood all the way from 7am to 4pm skipping lunch.

Well, I have to admit that I did not get enouth sleep a night before "partying" with firends and family. It was fun. After working at restaurant for 4 hours, went back home for the X'mas party with M's family and my cousin. The cake contest was very competitive!

Cake 1 was March the Penguin; cake 2 was the guinea pig; cake 3 was boy and girl snow angels. And the winner was " March of the penguin". X'mas was nice to have friends and family together. Last year, I was new to this event. This year there were three new people. One is from Spain, one is from France, and Alex was born this two month ago so he is new too. After dinner it was board game time. I always enjoy playing board game ever since I came to the State and play it the very first year when I came and played with my ex's family. It has a magic power to draw people together even you don't know each other and it is fun. Happy time is always short. Working at 7 in the morning, I pulled myself out of the chair and went sleep and saw it was already 2 o'clock. I was pretty sure that I was alert and thinking a lot of things of this past year.

Holiday season workload

It is almost X'mas day. Work has been pretty nice. Today we only have 3 patients for each nurse. It seems everybody wants to go home and spend time with family. If work can be like this everyday, how wonderful is that. Compare to 6 or 7 patients, I think 3 to 4 is best nurse to patient ratio. I like working in the new floor. It has been about a month after the renovation of my floor. Things seem getting better. We have more computers and the new feelings though people still complain.

Recently, I have been working a lot. It is during school break and I wanted to spend more time working. I am enjoying the holiday light workload. After the holiday, I bet we will have more surgical patients. Not only work in the hospital, there seems so many that I have to do such as moving, eating, cooking, shopping, getting to know new people and more things to do except going back to school... I don't know if I will be ready any time soon.

At work, we have almost elderly patients. Sometimes, I really hope I won't get old because it is really sad to see how insecured and confused they are then think back of myself when I get old. Today, this lady keep asking me what time is it whenever she wakes up. Sometimes, they keep asking yor name and I will always surronder to demantia patient. I feel bad when they keep saying thing out of the box. (I am going to the mall in a minute. Would you like to go with me ORZ)......She could not remember she is in the hospital and she uses pottie chair every hours. I need to find a job that will keep my spirit up. Maybe I just need a vacation to Hawaii....

All pass!!

The bottomline is "EVERBODY PASSED THE CLASS". Whew! when I got this message in my school email account from the instructor, I felt such a relief for all these few months' school work. This one class especially worried me. I felt so weak and powerless those two weeks during the final exam period. Five classes and job don't get quite along in deed. But I think my problem is that my worry about immigration status worsen my balance a big time.

I remember that when I was doing the physical assesment final exam for lab section. Mrs. Hart wanted me to come back the follow week to do it again, my heart was just falling down the the 18th level hell. I thought I was failed. So I had another paper test to take and the lab exam to worry. G was a girl that I felt who could be my friend from this program. She was very nice and sweet, blond hair and blue eye. We started talking when we both were going to run marathon. She is always nice to me and talk to me. Some girls (most of the girls) in the class are very sorolity type looking to me. I am not into that very much!! You know who could be your friend by instinct thats what I believe. I did not know who I could ask for to be my partner for the 2nd time lab test so I asked G and she said yes right away. That was a very strong bonding right there since we are just classmates. So I studied, practiced plus worked at the hospital. So many time I felt I was almost collapsed and broke down. I told myself thoudsand time be strong and don't let them get you! On my lab test day, I just did what's in my mind from head, face, eye, ear, nose, neck, thoracic, cardio, neuro, muscloskeleton, and vascular system. When I finised in 40 minutes, I was like a man waiting for his sentence in the court. Mrs. Hart shown me my grade of 99% and then she hugged me. I tried to hold my tears and broken voice to not let anybody found that I was weak. But that was really the most wonderful moment of this semester. I made a friend, G, and I feel love from that hug from Mrs. Hart.

School has been out for about a week and I am not ready to go back yet. In order to go back for another "hell" period, I need more time for a break to prepare myself. However, it seems time doesn't wait for people. There are so many thing are going on and things that I need to put on my shoulder in my life.

For The Love of Pete

Accidently, I found this pet store on my way to work. Friday, I got off from my class early and was window shopping at the boutique street next to work. This was one of the stores that I went in. They have a lot of pet stuffs from dog treats, food, blankets, beds, to toys. It was interesting and surprising. The interesting thing is they sell various pet "gears". The surprising thing is the cost. Then I observed the people who came in the store and wonder if they were all relatives of Paris Hilton. Then I thought of her Chiuaua. The clerk and the owner were very nice. I did have fun looking around the store. There was this lady with her infancy son sitting in the baby trolley and her golden retriver sitting outside the store. She bought a pet toy ball that will light up in different colors when touched. It was funny when she said that it was actually for her son then she put it in her son's hands. I think maybe it works better with children than pets!

Their website are well-design and user-friendly. (www.theloveofpete.com) Since I don't have any pet, I guess I save a lot of money.

Nursing philosophy: From Novice to Exper to Mentor

From novice to expert to mentor: how Patricia Benner’s theory would be important in my future practice as an advanced practice nurse.

When I first learned and heard about Patricia Benner’s theory from one of the classmates in this course, I felt deeply that this is the theory that I would like to research more and apply in my future practice as an advanced practice nurse or a in-hospital nurse. In one of the articles that I found there is a quote saying “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” From just reading this quote, it has inspired me enough wanting to learn how to use Patricia Benner’s theory guidelines and become a good mentor in my future practice. My foreign status bothered me ever since I came to the States either being a student or a nurse. I came here a long way to become a RN. It was not a light journey at all. From taking Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School (CGFNS) qualify test, English language proficiency test to the never ending waiting process, I am glad that it has turned out to a happy ending. Now I can finally tell family and friends that I am doing well. I realized that it is very important to have a mentor to guide you through the dark road. As a foreign nurse, I do have quite a lot of things to learn such as culture differences, languages (slangs), believes and systematic differences etc. Nursing is a caring “business”. Our customers are most of the time sick people; our products are performances and nursing skills . We deal with flesh human beings not machines. Being a competent nurse is very important either in the professional aspect or improving people’s health. Therefore, this is why I choose Patricia Benner’s model of from novice to expert to mentor to be my topic because it would help me and other prospect nurses to become competent in a more efficiency way.

This is the first paragraph of my paper for a class that I am taking now and I got 100%. Well, because this is only a one-credit class so the instructor gives high grade to everybody. What surprised me was when I got an email from my teacher, I was touched. The email is full of encouragements and understandings even it was a short email. I was inspired. I never dislike nursing but also never really devoted myself enough in nursing. After all this years' on and off working and studying to become a "good" nurse has helped me grown a lot, especially during the most important two stages in my life. The first one, I would call it "broken family" period when I was 12 to 18 years old. After dad decided to close his company, mom went to the US working in the restaurant with aunt and uncle. Dad went too the later year. Three of us were left living in an apartment one floor above my grandparents. The other period, I would call it "life direction" period which is happening here in the state under a situation to become an "American". Now I think back and found that nursing really has "saved my life" in time from both traumatized-life stages. Who says life is like riding a rollercoaster going up and down?! It is so true. But I think I have reached the age too dangerous to ride one. I might have a heart attack!!

Who wants to live forever

My free movie ticket had been sitting in my car for at least 6 months since April. The hospital give out movie tickets for employees' birthday. I threw away my homeworks, papers and trivia behind and decided to go to see the movie "The Fountain". My favorite atress, actor, and the fairy tale. I was one of the only three audiences in the theater for the first show of the day. On my way to the movie I went by Rite Aid for after thanksgiving shopping and bought something that was totally out of my shopping list. Well since the shop was very close to the theater, I thought. After shopping, I got lost and could not find the theater. I never been to that theater before..... By the time I got in the room, it was so dark and I stumbled in whatever seat I could touch and sit down.

Last night, Sarah Brightman sang "who wants to live forever" on a TV commercial. The music is still in my mind and today I saw the movie about a man who wants to save his beloved wife dying from cancer. He is a doctor who eager to find the cure for his love. The doctor also struggles himself not letting go the truth of death. Time went to 16 century in Spain. The queen's conquistador finding the tree of life. Then time goes to 26 century the man keeping and nursery the tree. Three parallel stories ends in the same chapter of a book. The man finally let go and was set free himself.

The plot is well-organized since I think that it is not easy to run three stories smooth in a movie. The movie is a bit sad but with the happy ending. (thefountainmovie.warnerbros.com)
Well, finished the movie and work...I guess I still have to face my final exams....Ahhhhhh.....

Alex loves Pooh

As soon as I put Alex in his crib, his big smile made me smile. He was looking at Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore hanging and dancing with the music. Alex is now two months old and he is getting bigger and bigger every day. Yes, EVERYDAY!! I remember when he was born, he was only like 7 pounds and now he is 12 pounds. As I am a child health major in the nursing program, Alex is growing very well. When I turned my head and look at his 6 feet 2 tall dad, I realized oh, Alex has much more potential to grow. Alex is R and K's (my cousin) first baby and he is really a happy boy.

He likes to sleep while there are music, TV, and people's talking in the background. On thanksgiving night, I was holding him downstairs in the crowad and he fell asleep so I took him upstairs to put him in the crib. As I walked up more steps his eyes got wider and wider as the background getting quieter and quieter by the time he was in the crib his eyes were like two 100 watt light bulbs looking at the Pooh and he smiled. I took him back downstairs then he fell asleep quickly as the background talking came back to him. So I guess we found the best lullaby for Alex.

My frist marathon in New York

It finally came the day and I made it to the finish line. At the last 2nd mile, I was walking and almost draging my falling apart body holding the power gel on my right hand toward the line. As soon as I saw the orange and blue finish line gate at the last mile, I took a deep breath and got myself together running again. I was smiling running the last mile. I felt great after all these months' training.

I ran my first marathon on Sunday and the race was a very nice and fun experience. On friday, I worked after school and was thinking about how I am going to take my exam on line before the race. That was really a pain in my neck. I felt like to hit my head against the wall asking god "WHY!!!". On the top of that my bus was leaving at 1am. After work, I flew home, finished packing and took a cat nap. Bus arrived at Chinatown around 7am Saturday. Ok, before the Expo center open for registration, I am going to study more for the exam, I told myself. There I was sitting in a tea shop eating dim sum and studying as hard as I could.

The Expo center was packed of people from all over the world. All the vendors tried their last effort to sell and promote their products for the last day of the registration. I got my bib and signed up for the bus to the start line at Staten Island tomorrow morning. Leaving with a full bag samples (T-shirt, pens, jam, and pain reliever), I went directly to the NY public library. I have to admit that I wanted to choke the person who literally used his cell phone next to me while I was taking the test with my lap top.... When I arrived at my aunt's, I just took a shower and went to bed.

Woke up at 4am, I took the train from Long Island to Penn Station. The sky was still dark blue while walking from Penn to the bus stop at NY library. As I walked closer to the library, people aggragated like going to see a concert or something. I was more excited than nervous.

It was really a wonderful race that I ever had. I was running with the 5 hour pace team in the beginning and the team leader was really fun. She would ask cheering people to say "5 hours rock", "5 hours rock". There were people all the way from the start line to the finish line to cheer you up. They called your name telling you don't give up, you are almost there, good job. To make the race more vivid, there were also live bands. Yep, bands with drums, microphones, guitars, bass, and amplifier. You don't need iPod really. Water and Gaterade were served every and every other mile. Poeple handed tissues, sponges, and things to show their supports. We clapped with the live band music, we waved when passing the camera, and we laughted when someone nearby said something to crack you up. I was tired but I was happy running this marathon.

Running through New York's five boroughs-Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan, I saw New York in five hours. That's pretty worthy, isn't it? People wore customes either to get people's attention or awarness of some issues. I saw two "rhinos" running. That's people from save the rhino organization. I saw a british nanny running team wearing bra running. There was no one minute boring while I ran.

I ran an official time of 5hours and one minute. It is pretty amazing that I was able to finish it and did not pass out. Thank you New York marathon for giving me such a pleasant marathon experience. I am coming back next year.

Maple Leaf Rag and Heart Murmur

I love this! Last Thursday in my physical assessment class, the instructor used this music to ask us "guess" what kind of heart murmur could symbolize this music. Everybody in the class was probably as confused as I was. "Are we in the wrong classroom?" "Wait, is this Music 101?" But after she played the song I loved it right away with all my hear and eager to google on the Internet to find out who Scott Joplin was and what ragtime is.

Maple Leaf Rag was the most popular fall music back then and even now. The music is very happily jumping into my heart and I learned that ragtime music is also considered "pre -Jazz". No wonder I love it!! Here are the Internet link for the music and the meaning of ragtime. Scott Joplin seems to be a great legend in the American music history. They call him "King of Ragtime."

Listening to the music makes me think of Texas too. I think this is music of the South. Or maybe it is just about time for me to go back to Texas for a visit again. As for the heart murmur, I think I will figure it out later... but no promise.

http://www.scottjoplin.org/biography.htm
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/9694/music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rag_(music)

Chicago means stinky water

Architecture tour on boat

Chicagowa was a word that native american used couple hundred years ago indicating Chicago River. What it really meant was "Stinky Water". This is the most intersting thing that I learned from the Chicago River architecture boat tour. It was really a educational tour and I enjoyed it a lot despite noisy chinese tourists behind me. They seemed didn't really care what the tour guide was saying.

The most impressed building is the oldest building along the river. The building was original a food storage and was converted to apartment. The tour guide said that it took them almost a year to melt the icy hourse hair that was used as insolation. When it was finally meltted, it was rotten.

Chicago Bear was playing on Sunday. How lucky we were bump into thousands of audiences that were flood out from the soilder field colecium on our way to Shedd Aqurium. People were cheering the Bear's winning and we were the only people walked in the oppsite direction. What is so fantacy of FOOTBALL. I would never understand.

Navy pire was ok though. A lot of people and it was hot that day in Chicago! It was really hard to believe that Richmond was flooded and we were in Chicago enjoyed the sunshine. First night was Shushi night. The town that I stayed was called "boy town" (you know what it means!) It's near Lincon park, a pretty nice neighborhood. Most of the asian restaurants were owned by Thai. The area has quite a Thai population. I shopped at some stores. They have a lot of small shops selling different things: art, cloth, pottery, coffee and tea, pet shop and more. One of my shopping trophy is that I bought a Bally skir for $8. I was pretty happy. I shall be shopping Queen one day.

Oh, the bridal show was fun too. I learned a lot about bridal business. Some retailers has very private booths because they don't want others to copy their designs. Some mass market their products. We got a lot of little gifts and free candies. One booth even served the liquor chocolates. It was a very nice experience. I think there were total 400 booths. Well, I think Chicago is fun to visit in Fall after all. (The first time I went it was as cold as hell and no fun...)

Puppy Farm! Puppy Fun!

puppy farm

I was mad... The other day I was writing this log and my computer disconected on me. All my writing was gone. So here I am again.

Puppies are cute in all way. Don't you think. There were total three labrador moms two yellow and one chocolate. As I walked into their little pen, they all approached me saying "pick me! pick me!" If they could talk, I think that was what they said.

Last week, I got a chance to see a labrador breeder's "production". Pretty amazing, I think there were total 15 yellow and chocolate lab puppies scattering in three pens all waiting for good homes to stay. I am glad one of them definitely is now in a good home and he was named Loki.

I was playing with Loki and it was fun watching him making all his efforts to fetch the tennies ball. He is only eight weeks old. I wonder myself how he knows to fetch the ball in such a young dog age. My cousin, Susan, they have three yellow labradors. She is a volunteer of a guide dog association in Long Island. She had Casey about 8 years ago long before she volunteers for the association. Then she brought Godie home and trained her to become a guide dog about two years ago when Godie was about one year old. When Godie is on training, they would put a vest on her indicating she is on duty and no distrubes are allowed. It is very interesting and fun watching how guide dogs are trained. I think labrador is smart and very friendly.

Jane just had three Jack Russell Terrier puppies. They are very hyper as the day they were born to be Jack Russells Terrier. I usually would goup them with Chiuaua kind. I think sometimes they think they control the whole world......

1990's Look! What's in!

student nurse

I can't believe that I uploaded this picture to my blog! By the time when my nursing intership was at the last month back to more then 10 years ago, everybody seemed to be ready to dash out this military psychiatric ward. Working in this institute was indeed a lot of fun. I remember I had quite a lot of typical textbook cases.

Usually, we were 10 students a group and each month we went to different ward: surgical, medical, nursery, operating room, public health, psychiatric, gyn, delivery room and peadiactric. It took us a year to accomplish the intenship in order to graduate. Operating room did make my life miserable a big time. There was this doctor of rectal specialist. He was famous of his temper. You need to pass equipment to him before he acts. God knows what he wants next! So everybody had to memorize the procedures and know what equipment would be needed to be serve to him at certain point. If you miss, there will be a "house of flying dagger". I was stress out that month working in operating room.

Delivery Room was pretty tense too. Each student needs to delivery a minimum 20 babies to meet the academic requirment since we were under a nursing and midwife division. Where and who would provide such a huge quantity of babies for us students. But we made it. Thanks to the high birth rate back then.

As a nursing school student, I did learn and grow a lot. It is a vivid page in my life book.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Moon River

These two days, I have been listening to this song. I recalled myself and couldn't remember if I have seen this movie or not. Audrey Hepburn was such an attracted actor in the movie. She was so elegant. There is also a letter she wrote that touches me. It is not just her appearence but also her sweet and understanding of people. Here is the letter that she wrote to a friend:
"Dear Henry,
I have just seen our picture-BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S- this time with your score.
A movvie without music is a little bit like an aeroplane without fuel. However beautifully the job is done, we are stil on the ground and is a wourld of reality. Your musci has lifted us all up and sent us soaring. Everything we cannot say with words or show with action you have expressed for us. You have done this with so much imaginetion, fun and beauty.
You are the hippest of cats- and most sensitive of composers!
Thank you, dear Hank. lots of love Audrey."

Cards

card from Norway




It is hard to believe that time has passed by me under a secret tempo that friends now are spreaded out all over the world!! Life is good when you get message from friends in mailbox. I love to receive letters from mailbox knowing that I am not forgetton by friends.

S is now in Norway with her Norwagian writer hubby. A fabric greeting card, how special, it was the first fabric card that I have ever received in my life. (www.vigocards.com) It was April when she moved to Norway. Nothing but cold I would think of about Norway. She seems very enjoying the life there. Learning language, traveling to other Island, finding a job and making new friends are definitly keeping her busy. Actually, it was the first card I got from her after she left the States. I love the card a lot. It is blue and brown on a velvet fabric. The patten is pretty victorian to me. S is such a sweet and nice friend that I met in Texas. She used to give me rides when I did not have a car to travel around the town. We used to take classes together and she would help and encourage me on my broken english. I would never forget one time she spoke up for me when I was in a embaressed situation. I felt that I was protected by her and not alone.

Another card that made me happy for couple days is from C. It is a picture that he took in Cambodia about couple years ago when he traveled and worked in Asia. He now has his own photograph business (www.kestrelfilm.com) and also works on films. I admir his talent on photo shooting and being so nice of people of my kind. And he has been always my favorite story teller. Every photo tells a story. He has a lot of interesting stories. The card from him is a sence of old trees. I assume that it was because we were in forestry college. I love the children photos from his website.

Not only that I love to receive letters, I like to send letters to friends too. Email is convenient, fast and easier but it is just different. I feel receiving letters is like seeing friends through the past. When I get a letter, I think back of time what we have done, where we met and how wonderful that time and places have not seperated us apart.

Yellow Panther!

Yellow Panther!

Russell is getting older. I worry about him. His parent told me that he probably lost couple pounds in these past few month. He is such a sweet cat. How do I know Russell? Time went back to almost 6 years ago when I first got here in the State I stayed with my aunt. One day I saw this yellow careless cat strolling around at my aunt's back yard and cooling his paws by the pond. I thought he is so funny. I should have taken the picture of that scene.

He is not shy when I call him he will come to me and let me pat him. Then I tried to hold him and he let me too. So I guess I got the trust from him. I stayed with my aunt for the summer and then went to Texas for school. It was a long period that I haven't seen Russell until I moved to Virginia after graduating last year. I saw him again often and now he is about 12 year old or maybe older since he was a stray cat when my aunt's neighbor adopped him.

I think we remember each other. The other day when I hold him, he was so light. I hope that he is healthy although he is getting old.

He is two!

He is two!

Fox is 2 year-old and he got a bike! I went back to Texas three weeks ago visiting my "old friends" and really had a good time despite I missed my flight on my way back to Virginia. It was about more than a year ago ever since I moved to Virginia from Texas. It was nice seeing them again.

It was really nice seeing, eating, and just relaxing with my old roomys. Also, I haven't seen A for almost two years and now she is back in the US. I was so happy to see her coming back sharing with her happniess of studying in Spain and everything. And thank her for taking me to see Les Miserable. I also got to see NaNa and PaPa.

It was a nice visit but I have to say that Texas is really "hot". I almost forgot how hot it was until I went back. I did have Mexican food and don't know when I will have it again here in Virginia.

What's all about depression?

I was doing some kind of observation about the cycle of depression. I hate to be sad or feeling depressed. Therefore, I try to turn on TV watching something to make me laugh or make me feel happy. Working with confused patients makes me depressed, working two jobs one right after another makes me depressed and extreme tired, working two jobs and going for graduate school is the road to death if I am accepted this fall. Wowwww....

Cooking everyday makes me depressed, eating after cooking for my own meal makes me sadder, cooking , eating and with a dog begging right in front of my face set fires on my head. Why is everything so sad and heavy? I found out that it is something to do with my every month business. And they say eating chocolate will change the chemical of the body to make you feel happy which is a wonderful thing to know and to eat. I also found out usually it is like a week before the first day when it comes. Now I know and will have a way to fix my cycle of depression. The answer is CHOCOLATE.

I need probable about 10 pounds of chocolate this week because I will be working a lot. When the depress chemical comes, nothing is right in the world. The good thing is after depression it comes with the happiness. Camping at the beach with friend makes me happy, getting pay checks makes me happy, and kick boxing makes me happy so on ans so for. I think it is a sub cycle inside everybody.

Everybody makes differences

-I took a road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference-

I saw this on a friend's blog. It touched me when I read it. Having been through the very difficult but fun studying process in the States for all these years, I think I have made my life a significant difference. Laying in my bed, sometimes I wonder what would be my life if I did not persist to come to the States. Now I am working as a health provider. I believe that I shall made differences to somebody else life. When I go to work with the thought, I work happier and job becomes more enjoyable.

At my job, we have a lot of old people and usually they come from nursing home. They are sent to the hospitals when they are sicker at nursing home. A lot of Alzeheimers, dimentias, broken legs, organ failurers, and so many other problems, they are helpless. I found that the most thing I heard from them when asking them question is " I don't know" even a simple question like "Do you want to go to bath room."

Now I think I am such a lucky person that I have many resourses and helps so many years studying and living in the States. Everybody makes differences.

One Day in Arboretum

charlie's angel

When M sent this picture to me through email, I smiled myself and time was going back to 2004's spring at SFA's arboretum. Around the time of blooming azalea every year, I think I will always remember two other angels. M has a job in Austin, Texas. F is studying in Carbondale, Illinoi. I, myself work in Richmond, Virginia. Life seems to play a very naughty game master on earth. Friends get together in a certain place then are seperated in other places. Emails, pictures, and phones are the media to connect each other from time to time until the relatiohships either longer or wash out.
We meet new friends but old friends are more adroable to me. So when new friends become old friends. It is like drinking a glass of red wine. The longer the red wines are stored the better it tastes. Cheers to my friends! And Charlie I think, he is probably the master to make friendship happen.

Laptop 

New Laptop, Yeah!!

Since my second-hand old laptop kept giving me all kinds of problems, I finally made up my mind to get a new one. The question was a Mac or PC, was a entry-level or fancy one, was a cheap or cheapper one, and was black or silver...Oh, God! Can somebody just send me one from the sky and I will take it. Browsing on line and I mean just with DELL, there was just more than enough information that I needed to know. It had been about 3-4 weeks that I though about buying a new one in Feburary. Fortunatelly, my job is giving me certain level of economic security that I will be able to say goodbye to me old laptop.

I happened to find out that there is a Dell direct store (kios) in Richmond opening in March 20. Thursday after work two weeks ago, I could't wait to arrive the Kios as fast as I could and find a pretty, multifuntional, and cheap laptop then brought it home the same day. The result was a bit disappointed. When I went to a Apple store in North Carolina in December, I thought Mac was so cool. The store exhibted all kind of their products such as laptops, ipods, desktops, accessories, and softwares, etc. The store was packed (maybe it was close to X'mas). But still. So, when I went to the Chesterfield Mall Town Centre and tried to find the Dell kios, I wondered if Michael Dell was going downhill or something. But I was so desperated for a computer, I walked to talk witht the sale representative any way and bought a XPS M140 in twenty minutes. When I said I bought, it means that I ordered a laptop at the kios on line. So, I didn't get the laptop right away..... One good thing is that I got a small discount from going there.

Yeah, I am finally using my new top and having my normal life back. Without a computer, I felt
my life was so bored and started to have withdrawl syndrom from not using keyboard.... I was typing on my desk.

My Roommates

My Roommates

Aren't my roommates cute? Kirby and Quinn are well-behaved roommates. Usually they won't come to my room which is the topest room in the house. Starting with Kirby, I was trying to let him out from the cage the other day when I heard him whinning. So I went downstairs to see him. He growed at me when I tried to open the door to let him out and go potty. I was kind of scare that he seemed to bite me and didn't want to come out from the cage. That was so wired. He was kind of upset or nervous. Obviously, I didn't want to lose a finger or get a bleeding hand. So I let him stay there as he wanted. The next day, when he saw me he was all jumping and running on me. Isn't that multipersonalities? He has soft curly gray hair and sometimes I think myself if he can see with all those long hair covering his eyes. But he seem to run and walk without problem so I guess it is either he has very good sense of smell or is good at direction.

Unlike Kirby, Quinn is a food lover. Whenever I cook in the kitchen, he will sniff around the kitchen islet and get on tables or counters on his front feet. And this is not his fault. Quinn was adopted from the shelter and found that he has Addison Symdrom and Epilepsy. He is on medication every 6 hours. The durg makes him want to eat all the time. The cutting board in the kitchen has a cute dog figure just like him and it says "The chef is not responsible for the dog hair in the food" on the background. I think it is funny.

Speaking of how I was able to take a picture of two dogs sitting still close to eachother just imaging that I was holding a cookie in one hand and trying to take the picture with the other. And calling their name constantly when either one of them was trying to move out from my camara window. It was kind of playing crown thing.

Snowing Richmond

snowing Richmond



snowing Richmond

The two snows of 2006 were such exciting for most people in spite of the cold. Wait just a minute, is the news just announcing it is now 21 degree? Oh, well my room is the warmest any way since I live in the attic. It is about two weeks at Charter Colony. Things have been going pretty smooth with me and I enjoy my life a lot.
Monday is the day that I suppose to have my orientation of CJW Medical Center (www.cjwmedical.com). Yes, I got a RN job finally. After I got my license, I have been running between different hospitals which most of the responses regarding my applications are very positive and I have choices. Driving to work of the restaurant, I looked at the snow flakes falling and melting on my wind shield thinking about the meaning of life. Snow flakes were dancing with the wind as my speed went up. Shouldn't life be beautiful and simple as snow flakes. White, weightless, pure, and angel-like.... I think seeing snow flake is a sign as a piece of good news.

Figure Skating and Valentine

China&Russia2006

What a wonderful present for Valentine's day to me! Fugure skating has been one of my favorite watching sports. I must say that it is the most beautiful sport that I consider it is an art form than a sport. Combining music, opera, dance, and technic, pair figure skating needs more hard work comparing to single figure skating. It was really a touchful moment to see both Russian and Chinese skaters standing on the podium. These two neighbor countries not only are the good competitors but are friends enjoying over a skating party to me.

I got the winter olympic tv schedule on my desk with all figure skating highlighted. Returning home from the book store, I rushed into my room and turned the tv on NBC ready for the program. I never knew that China has so many well-trained skaters for Olympic. I could not continue watching Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang's performance after they failed the salchow quadruple which no one has ever done it bofore. She was literally thrown on ice and injured her knee. Everybody could see her pain from the tears holding of her eyes on TV. Amazingly, they continued and beautifully performed their spirit.

Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin were kind of stunned off the rink when they saw the brutal fall of Zhangs. Two years ago, they had a worse accident on ice. Tatiana lost her conscious over the performance and Maxim lost his confidence on ice. I think this is a great moment for them winning the gold medal this time. For them it really means a lot. Shouldn't a relationship of two lovers be just like the relationship of a pair skater. There are trusts, encouragements, strenghs, and tests over a time period.

They don't want me. It's Chinese New Year!

I was a bit disturbed when I got the email about not getting the internship at the hospital after two major interviews. This is the position that I have been waiting for and not going to other hospitals. Because this possible internship program, I truned down couple offers. Well, I guess things just don't always go what you expect to. This NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) internship program takes about 2-3 months to complete then you will work as a staff after the program. I have done everything to show them about my interest. However, after several interviews with the nurse recruiter, manager and the educator, they probably think it would be too much trouble to sponsor me for the immigrant visa (according to the email that I got from the human resourse people).
Well, I just have to put myself together and go to other hospitals. I am glad that I have a temporary job working at the Shanghai chinese restaurant otherwise I don't know how I will be able to survive after moving out from my aunt's. Happy Chinese New Year!!

Bachelorette

When my friend saw this picture, she said to me you were the one who the most didn't seem to catch the bouquet. My cousin, Karen's wedding has been officially and unofficially approved three years and three months ago, respectively. Marriage to me is like adult playing house. I can't remember how many wonderful and ugly marriages I have seen or heard about through friends, relatives, coworkers, and strangers. About two or three weeks ago, there was a book introducing by a reporter on CNN news. "Are Man Ncecssary?". I think it would be an interesting book to read. But I wonder if there is a book name " Are Woman Necessary?".

The day when we got together!

Italian food 


I think it was the picture that we took at Nacogdoches before Carey was heading to Mongolia for his film project. It was Jenny, Shu-Yung, Shu-Chun,I Kuai, Carey, Ching and me. We did have a good time. Actually, I am just practicing my online photos posting today. It would be good to have photos on my blog, I think. To make stories more interesting and fun, photos are necessary.

Writer's Notebook

It has been a while that I think about having my writer's notebook. The idea came from the time when I was a student assistant in Elementary Education Department. I was assigined to Dr. Lacina as her assistant for all her classes online (WEBCT). I really enjoy working with her. I learned how to write, what makes a good writer and I read all her students' writing. It was really a wonderful expirence. English is not my mother tounge but I am a good learner and willing to learn it very much. So the wirter's notebook idea was form ever since then.

Web log is a good way to apply my writing desire. It is not that seriours and I can manage to write whatever I want to write about. Sometimes, I feel I have so many things happen everyday that I want to write and share. Every little thought and thinking would be very interesting to be recored. Life is full of laughter, sadness, and unforgetable moments that I don't want to miss it all. Places that I go, pleople that I meet, things that I do could be all important parts or pages of my life.

I do have a lot to learn about writing.

King Kong, Geisha, Gay Cowboy, Pocahontas, and more...

Rachel and I was talking about the movies at work today. We were planning going for King Kong after work to see the midnight movie. But they didn't show King Kong at midnight when Rachel checked on the newspaper. There are pretty good movies recently. I guess it is because the holidays (X'mas and New Year). Why King Kong? Rachel and I was talking about the first King Kong movie. She said that she cried when King Kong held the beauty in his palm carefully and when King Kong fell from the Empire State Building. In fact, I don't really have clear images in my brain but little bit black and white King Kong holding a girl pictures and the moment when he fell from the building.

The other day, I was reading Y's blog and she has left some critiques about Pride and Prejudice, and Brokeback Mountain. Also, Trinh was talking about going to see Memoir of a Geisha. At the dinner after Richmond Bridal Show, Trinh said that she saw the movie and she liked it. So we were talking abou the movies for a while. When I mentioned about the Brokeback Mountain, Ron had a comment that he doesn't want to see a gay cowboy movie. But I think it would be a good movie to see.

The New World will be in theaters by the end of this month. I have been expecting for the movie for almost more than a year. The reasons are: 1)Carey is the assistant producer; 2) I have seen the movie " The thin red line". I like the movie and director; 3) I like Pocahontas story ever since I've seen the Disney movie.

Any way, I went to see King Kong on 1/12 and I cried through 1/2 movie. I cried when King Kong fought so hard and brave with the dinosaurs. I cried when they caught King Kong so cruely then I cried when King Kong fell down from the Building. God, I never know that I am such a cry baby....

Last weekend (1/15), I went to see Memoir of a Geisha. I've read the book and like it a lot. The movie was kind of disappoing. I think maybe I was expecting too much before I saw it plus my stomach was killing me when I was watching the movie. So I didn't really enjoy the movie.

In a nut shell, movies help me to release my emotions and learn English.

New York or Somewhere else

I didn't know finding a job with a registered nurse license would be so easy in the states to me. Since I got my license about a week ago, I went to the local hospital in Richmond near my aunt's house which is where I am staying. They would hire me on the spot if I said yes. Well, I am still kind of doing weight and balance thing. There are something I need to think about before I make my final decision.

The employment agency in New York that I talked to offering the best pay and it is a very attractive city which I don't know if I really like it. Moreover, I think that it might be a job that I don't really like because they contract with nursing homes. It is not that I don't like old pelple. When I was in Taiwan, I would cry whenever I go to a nursing home. It is just sad to me working at that environment. Texas has all my friends that I love to stay closer and I think it would not be a problem finding a job there with a license. But I just don't feel like going back at this moment. As for Virginia, I think that I need to move out from my aunt's first then I will think about it. I have been staying with them for 6 month.

New York, New York, Lone Star carefree spirit, or just take a job closer and easier in Virginia... It is my project now.

My blue shooting star

I was driving home after work. The sky was dark blue saturated with cold air. As soon as I walked out the restaurant door, I ran to my lovely car and couldn't wait to get home in next second. It was two days before my NCLEX exam. I have been studying for the exam about 6 month including the qualifying exam. I was pretty nervous and just wanted to get over with it. Working and studying in the same time is not fun at all. Speaking of working, I mean working in a chinese restaurant. I remember like five years ago, I have sweared that I would never work at a restaurant in the future and guess where I am now. Any way, I am tired but I work hard.

Turning up my radio to the classical music station, I was on my way home. When I stopped at the traffic light, the blue shooting star flew through in front of me in a way of telling me "come on girl, make you wish and it will come true." I think I made a wish without a doubt in just two second. I was excited to see the shooting star (It was blue. Isn't that special?) inspite of my heavy body and sleepy eyes.

Then I drove a happy trip to home. It is hard to forget if you have seen a blue star in you life. I think I will never forget it. I took the exam for 6 hours and felt sorry for myself because I left 2 questions unanswered(total 265). I was sad when I left the test center. I though the blue star was a good sign. The proctor wished me good luck when I walked up to my locker leaving for work at 4pm. That was very nice of him but I felt it was pethtic.

Then it was X'mas. The it was two days before New Year's Eve. I went to get the mail after I got home from work. There was my registered nurse license (somehow it looked like a piece of trash paper to me; it is about a 5x7 big paper). Yeah, I passed the exam. I kissed the blue shooing star good night.