Life of Leisure

"I finally figured out that the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it."             ~ Rita Mae Brown


Well...my two months of freedom are coming to an end this week and it's a bitter sweet feeling. I have had SO much fun living the non-working life. I've traveled a ton, visited friends, spent much needed time with my parents and family, and learned some new things about myself. I always said that I would get bored not working, I was lying to myself. I have had the best time living this life and would be thrilled if I could keep it up for longer. Unfortunately, the funds are running low and the sick kids need me (at least that's what I am telling myself so I feel motivated to get back into the "real world"). 

Here is a preview of how I spent my 8 weeks of freedom...

Fayetteville, Arkansas to celebrate my 25th birthday, Valentine's Day, and Ben's 27th birthday. Oh. And to pick up my 'new' car (not new, but new to me!).

Capturing Dad in my 'new' car.
Lexus GS 300.

Houston, Texas for the wedding of Lauren and Bryan Athon!

Lauren & Bryan Athon's Pre-wedding Cocktail Party 

Lauren's Wedding Party 

Melissa & I

Nashville, Tennesse to visit my friend John and a new city!

At the Jack Daniels Distillery.
Liz, me, Chaz, & John with Jack himself. 

Fort Worth, Texas for a week to care for 

the girls I nannied junior and senior year of college. 

We visited my house at TCU for junior & senior year.
Still looks the same.

Hattie Belle (age 5) riding the horse at the Science & History Museum in FW.

White River Cabin in Cotter, Arkansas for 'spring break' 

and Dad's 59th birthday!

First cast in years. 23 inch rainbow trout!!

Learning to fly fish with Dad.

Beautiful White River sunsets

Austin, Texas for Emily's Bachelorette Party on Lake Travis!

Our Lake Travis 'home'

Some of Emily's goodies!

A sweet Texas sunset!!

Does this look and sound like heaven or what!? I have been living THE life and loving every minute of it. After nearly 5,000 miles on the 'new' car, lots of special times with family & friends, and tons of new memories that i'll cherish forever it's time to pack up and move to Austin. Come visit me and we will find more sweet Texas sunsets!

LOVE LIFE!

Inspired by Invictus

"The best changes often start as single, simple thoughts. Think big, and discover how to make your dreams real." ~Unknown


Preface: The inspiration for this entry came from the movie Invictus. As I sat at home watching this movie with my parents last night (welcome to my life these days) I became really inspired. If you have yet to see Invictus then you really are missing out. I recommend renting/ordering/downloading it asap. It truly is such an inspirational film! I also discovered a song by Overtone..."Colorblind". Check it out!


What came from this inspiration? My "bucket list" is finally in writing!!! 
Now...this could be the boredom speaking (reminder-living with the rents in a small town) or the fact that I am about to start something new (reminder-move to Austin for my first travel assignment), but I am excited to finally see this in print and hopefully start checking things off. 


Here goes nothing...

• Learn 
• Sign Language
• Spanish
• To sail
• Memorial Day Weekend 2011. Inks Lake, Texas
• To cook
• To surf 
• To snowboard
• To play guitar
• Travel
• Visit each continent at least once
• Europe 2000 (Italy)
• South America 2010 (Peru)
• Central America 2010 (Costa Rica)
• Spend at least one full day in all 50 states
• Arkansas
• Texas
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• D.C.
• Florida
• Colorado
• Alabama
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Wyoming
• Arizona
• Nevada
• New York
• New Mexico
• California
• Accomplish
• Run a race
• Publish a picture
• Be part of a lifelong & healthy marriage
• Raise a happy & healthy child
• Adventure
• Sky Dive (October 2009)
• Fly a plane (Co-pilot)
• Scuba dive in the ocean
• Witness a space shuttle launch
• Career
• Be a camp nurse for a summer
• Camp Mitchell
• July 2011
• Travel Nurse 
• Austin, Texas
• April-June 2011
• Los Angeles, California
• August-
• Be a Labor & Delivery nurse
• Be a photographer

LIVE & LOVE LIFE!!

Austin? Alrighty!

"I think Texans have more fun than the rest of the world." ~ Tommy Tune

When I quit my job at Georgetown University Hospital I knew that I would start travel nursing after my two months of freedom! My two months of freedom are almost over and I do believe that I had a panic attack earlier this week. As of Tuesday night I had no idea where I would be working next or if I would even have a job. No longer friends, no longer!!


I will start my career as a travel nurse in Austin, Texas! I am going to be a pediatric float nurse at Dell Children's Hospital. As before, I will be working 12 hour shifts with a total of 36 hours a week. Unlike in DC, I will be working day shifts (7 AM - 7 PM) which will be a great change of pace for me! 


For those of you who are not familiar with what travel nursing is I will fill you in. There are hundreds, probably thousands of travel companies in the US. These companies provide jobs for RN's, therapists, and technologists. I will be employed by Cross Country Travel Corps who have set me up with the job at Dell. With travel nursing a nurse can pretty much choose where they want to go (if there is an open position) if they are offered the job. A travel position usually last about 13 weeks. After the assignment is over a nurse can either renew their position (if available) or head somewhere new and fun! Most travel companies, like mine, will either provide a fully furnished apartment or offer money to the employee for housing. They also pay the utilities! Sounds pretty great huh?  


And it's easy too... For me- I let my recruiter know that I was interested in the position Tuesday night. She notified the hospital Wednesday morning. I interviewed via the phone Wednesday midday. Heard back from my recruiter hours later who said she heard good news and would let me know all the details. I had a voicemail from my recruiter Thursday morning telling me that we got the formal offer. And voila...I am no longer unemployed!! WOOO. Pretty fast and crazy, huh!? 
Now we just have to find my apartment, pack the car, and move to Austin!!


Anywho...that's what's next! I am really excited and ready to start anew. 


LOVE LIFE

"Do-Re-Mi"

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." ~ Unknown

In the past few years I have discovered my LOVE for music. Live music is my favorite, but any kind will do. I enjoy almost all types but cannot stand that yelling, screaming stuff. I do not and never will understand how people can listen to that...it's terrible. 

I didn't grow up around much music and have really only started discovering "new artist" on my own in the recent past. I have really enjoyed finding new music and sharing it with others. Here are some of the artist and songs that I have been enjoying and think you will too.

These aren't in any particular order but I highly recommend checking out these artist...you will not be sorry.

• NeedToBreathe - I am legit obsessed with these guys. I was introduced to them about 2 years ago and have since seen them live twice. They are SO talented and very addictive. They are pretty easy on the eyes too! 
• Ben Rector - This guy is great! He went to the UofA and I found out about him from some friends that graduated with him. I've loved his album "Into The Morning" and I think that he has released one since that I need to check out. Find him and enjoy!
• Mumford & Sons - Where do I start? AMAZING!!! Enough said. If you haven't heard them yet then you are missing out. One of them could possibly be my first husband...you all just wait and watch! 
• Band of Heathens - This is one of the groups that I have tried to share with some great friends recently. I was introduced to them from an old roommate and immediately fell in love. I could listen to them all day! All you Texans will really enjoy them.
• Joshua Radin - Lots of my friends are big fans of his and I never really gave him the time of day until I heard his song in a movie recently. He has some great stuff and he is definitely worth checking out. 
• Eric Hutchinson - He is new to me and the only song that has stuck is "Rock & Roll" but I really like it and think you will too!
• Kings of Leon - LOVE them!! I got to see them live in DC last summer and they were fabulous. We rocked out and I have loved following them since. If you don't know about them then you have got a lot of catching up to do. 
• Asher Book - I don't know much about this kid but I know that I love listening to his song "Try." I heard it in the movie Fame...lame?
• Edward Sharpe - Again, like Asher I only know of one song - "Home." This song caught on fast with me! Maybe its the "Alabama, Arkansas..."
• Griffin House - Find and enjoy "The Guy That Says Goodbye To You"
• MGMT - They are pretty great. I haven't been listening to them as much lately, but whenever I hear them it always makes me happy...good things!
• Ray LaMontagne - Oh Ray. I love you. I adore everything about you. Marry me? You will love him too...download and enjoy, but DO NOT steal my lover. 
• The Script - I heard this group when "Breakeven" became popular, but I have really enjoyed their whole album. 
• Sleeperstar - These guys are great live! Check the song "Texas Rain." You will love!
• Green River Ordinance - I have known about these guys for years. It started with them playing in sorority chapter meetings and now they are big time! Lots of talent and lots ahead of them in the future, I hope!!! Great guys and AMAZING music!

This is all I have for now but I LOVE discovering new music and would love recommendations from you! Send them my way and enjoy that I have shared. 

LOVE LIFE!