Monday, November 14, 2011

sore muscles

Smile Cracker #3: Aches post dancing. Its the day after a wedding and i wake up on my friend's futon to let out that massive, fulfilling stretch, when i am stopped mid appendage extension because I feel every muscle in feet and arms just ache. Now this could be just a nuisance of a problem, or it could be fantastic excuse to do nothing but sleep, veg, and watch movies all afternoon with one of my best friends. Number two sounded more appealing-so i went the veg route.  Basically everytime I moved, i was reminded of what a great time I had the previous night filled with dancing. I know my whole body was really in it because I had to sneeze and my abs hurt as well. I am ever so fortunate to dance with my heart in good shape, so you better believe I am going to put Michael Jackson to shame...ok, thats basically impossible.

However, I know I was doing something right because everyone I made eye contact with had massive grins on their face. I know they're all secretly jealous because I am such a fit pumpin and booty poppin heroine, but thats precisely the reason. I dance, you laugh. Its a win-win situation all around the table.  I feel dance as one of the most prestine ways to show others your personality and confidence. 

The perfect ending to the night occurred with a large group of friends all swaying back and forth to Billy Joel's "Piano Man." Simply classic. Its moments like this that will flood my brain next time the song pops on the radio or my itunes. My sore arches and aching knees were oh so worth it by the time this evening rolled around. Dancing is da bombski, thus I am forced to crack a smile.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

B&W

"Smilecracker#2: back to the color basics. Sometime ago my little brothers fave joke he ever made up was "what's black and white and red all over...???" the original answer is a newspaper- Rob put his own spin on it and stated a nun falling down the stairs. When I recall this joke nowadays, it still makes me chuckle like the first time i heard it. And no worries, no nun were harmed in the creation of this joke.

Thus being said, let me bring us back to the part the whole smile cracking part of this post. The black and white color scheme naturally go fabulous together. The first TVs were started as that, as they are common classy colors for elegant affairs. I love waking up to take a hot shower in my old victorian apt with the classic black and white colored tiling, which then leads me to slap put on some Doobie Brothers and dance my way clean.

After showering I make my way to the kitchen to start boiling water for my french press. While waiting, I often times sit on the counter top and find myself get lost in thought as i stare at the same tiling on the kitchen floor. It isn't until i begin to hear the whistling of the teapot before i make connections with reality because I am so mesmerized by the schemey beauty of the black and white that swirls around me. Just a great way to start any type of day- lost in deep thought that is provoked by the colors B&W.
and thus, I am forced to crack an smile.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

random thoughts from an insomniac

So- i am a shift rotator, which means that as a nurse i work any and all shifts. This week I am the creep who walks in my patient's rooms at strange hours to watch you in your sleep and ensure a regular breathing pattern, really i mean that in the most loving way it can sound. Thus being said, I have most likely the STRANGEST sleep habits out there. While I was awake this morning until 3am (its my night off), i came across a website that i was completely intrigued with. It reflects on the everyday awesomeness of simple things (click below to be entertained)

1000 Awesome Things

I decided that I am going attempt to compile my own list of "Smile-crackins" of things that happen in my daily life. With that being said, here goes...                      

"Smile-cracker #1": That first sip of coffee to start off the day. I was at work on Tuesday night and just starting to take on my night while i was sitting next to the secretary. That glorious first sip of black coffee warmed my insides all the way down to my stomach. When it hit the bottom of my stomach I accidentally let out a rather large "ahhh!" sigh of contentment. The secretary immediately turned to me in slight confusion  and all i could do was laugh and tell her "I just love black coffee." Being a coffee connoisseur herself, she joined the laughter and agreed. Maybe my reaction to that warm fuzzy feeling of liquid motivation hitting the center of belly was slightly inappropriate sounding, but honestly there is no point in holding something so joyful back. Something so simple and joyful is meant to be expressed full on, after all, it is all about the vivacity. And thus, i am forced to crack a smile.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sit-spurring thoughts.

This weekend was the first in probably the first in months that i was given the chance to just sit. Sit, eat lots of food, and watch episode upon another of Friends with good ole Becky Nagl. There is something about being with this girl that always inspires me to create lists of goals to accomplish or conclude thoughts that have been stirring in my mind for awhile. Its probably because whenever we get to hangout, thats all we do, hang. I do not recall any other person that i just "do nothing" with. We took at trip last March to Florida and all we did was lay by the water and take rides in the convertible.....

I often times get so wrapped up in the fast pace that my life likes to take, that i lose track of my short term aspirations. This weekend i took the time to buy a new journal and compile a list that i will attack in 365 days and agreed to blog about as to keep me on the accountibility track. I tried to think realistically and make my goals attainable. They go as follows (in no specific order):
1. Rescue a dog
2. See the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Oriental
3. Read the Harry Potter series
4. Learn to cook Korean and Ethiopian foods
5. Create a Pulmonary Hypertension fundraiser
6. Froelick in a field of sunflowers
7. Start Yoga
8. Visit Danielle Mode and Becky Nagl in wherever their traveling nursing careers may take them
9. Drink beer at the Hofbrauhaus during Oktoberfest
10. Jog a 5K
11. Attend Circ de Soleil
12. Write a letter/email to a random friend a week
13. Find a new church
14. Get a new grill
15. Take a massage therapy class
16. Hike at 8 State Forrests/Natl. Parks

so hear me out and ask me how "the list" is going once in awhile- i need some reinforcement from time to time.

Ready, set, go!!! :)
(see video below for some motivation)

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Fall dwellings

I figured it's been a few weeks since I have made my presence known to the world.... So congrats to you if you're reading the first blog since I left the bat cave....
I decided life would be sweeter for the weekend if i came home to my place of upbringing. For those of you who are unaware, that would be the absolute heart of the cheeseheads, green bay Wisconsin. This was the perfect city to grow up in because there is just such a charm to this proud but modest city. Everyone is happy, it's safe, and it just floods my mind with memories of childhood.

After a 51 hr week on night shift, there is nothing more i needed than a low key girls night. I arranged earlier in the week to meet up with my partner in crime from high school, Molly. We made Greek grilled chicken with butternut squash risotto and drank italian wine. Good conversation topped off with an evening stroll around ashwaubenon, just like old times. We
reminisced our past and reflected on how far we've come in the last 5yrs.  The first few college years we kind of lost touch, but time always sets things straight. I think my fave part about friendship is the excitement of seeing where life takes people. Molly and i were probably by
far the strangest people in high school, but we sure did find refreshing ways to have a good time. Our younger yrs could have been filled drunken nights, but we were more of the type that would hangout on a friday night and walk around the lights at lambeau field and get yelled at for sitting on the Lombardi statues at midnight. Ha oopsy;) i have no regrets about my teen
years and i think it was one of the better decisions i ever made was to sit next to Molly Siefert the first day in Mrs. Krauserts math class the first day of freshmen yr. Thru and thru.
Another thing i love about green bay is game day. Even when the games aren't home, it's still awesome to be amongst the atmosphere because every one is always in a great mood. I had to run errands the 45min prior to kickoff and successfully went to the dollar store, walgreens, target, and the coffee shop with ten min to spare. Booyah. During the second quarter some solicitor tries calling the land line. I answered and they asked for "josesph slaittary" haha yeah right..... All i said was "you have the wrong number and you're calling on packer sunday, shame on you." maybe that was slightly bit@$! Of me but, seriously- no i am not lying when i say the "slaitterys" don't live here. She probably thought i was crazy, maybe if that wouldn't happen every week it would be different...

In between commercials and game time i played dual role of kitchen diva and football fan. I created my own recipe for the fall time palate....here the unofficial recipe, so as your stealing it off my blog right now think of me when it's on the food network in 2yrs from now..

"pump-ur-kin fall bread"
Whatcha need:
One can of pumpkin
Two cups of whole stone ground wheat flour
Three quarters cup of brown sugar
Half teaspoon of baking soda
Cinnamon
Two eggs
One stick of butter
One cup of dark chocolate chips

Directions
Put thawed butter in mixing bowl and mix brown sugar until full blended into creamy paste
Add both eggs to mix and blend
Add baking soda, flour, and cinnamon to paste and mix well. Add pumpkin.
Stir in chocolate chips after everything is thoroughly mixed
Preheat oven 350 degrees
Grease two small bread pans of one large and fill with dough
Place on bottom wrack and bake around thirty minutes. Check center with fork until baked.
Let cool
Lick your chops and prepare yourself for some gooey warm fall goodness!
Bow chicka wawa..

So now that i have thoroughly fed and entertained you, i am going to call this session of blogger a success and take on the rest of The night. I hope everyone enjoys their true day of rest, and thank you to all those who are working today. You make hhe world and the America safe and bustling.
Peace out bloggies.

                              (My fave commerical during the game today)

Sunday, September 4, 2011

A day trip to the windy city.

Hello children, today's blog is going to be a little more narrative of an adventure i embarked on this past week. Just a little bit of background first:
So if you really know me, or at least met me an hour ago, you would be very aware that God's sense of humor is freakin hilarious. The daily happenings of my life are truly ironic and could happen to none other than, yours truly-Lauren Slattery. With that thought in mind, the story continues

A few weeks ago, I had made arrangements to hang out with a friend who recently moved to downtown chicago. We decided to take our afternoons off and enjoy the big city together on Sept 1st. In no time i was on the road taking the scenic road to the bustling, big, and windy city. Aside from the crazy tailgating Ill drivers, i was mildly impressed with my ability to maneuver myself in traffic.
In no time, i was downtown and appreciating the east side's street parking. Steve made us a quick lunch and we then meandered onto the train to start the afternoon's adventure.  We decided to skip the Lincoln Park Zoo and just go for something inside and air conditioned with the current 98 degrees and 120984302983% humidity. What could be better than an afternoon spent at the Chicago Art Museum?! hmm, notta.

I remember going to the same art museum as a child and just wondering how any of the stuff could be interesting? A bunch of boring paintings, nakey statues from different countries, and dull artifacts older than Mary and Joseph...well there's a crucial part to touring places like this. You must bring Steve with you. I am not sure if "hilarious" or "ginormously entertaining" are appropriate terms to use in regards to a public museum, but those are the exact words I will use to describe the outing.

A few things about me:
1.one of my long standing hobbies is photography




2. I have a severe dislike and phobia of dolls and mannequins.

I was very excited to see the featured photography exhibit until we got to the gallery and every single pix had a creepy doll posed somewhere within it. BOOM-irony. Photographers are always looking to other people's photos so see if they can become inspired with some of the other artists' ideas... that will not be happening with Mr. Meatyard's work. 















We also took a stroll around the multicultural art from the various regions of the world. Honestly, i sometimes felt as though they should have rated some of the exhibits "R." 









 It def was a wonderful afternoon of good times and refreshing humor. We took a few moments to relax and also educate ourselves with the artwork around us.


<--------complete shinto technique.
                               Catching ourselves up on a little WWII political art from Russia.
                           We should probably be the model children for the Chicago Art Museaum.

After about hour three I was slowly becoming more and more lethargic, spacey, and zoned due to prolonged periods without eating. On top of  being hungry, i had been using my brain all afternoon to match Steve's witty jokes, so i was pooped. We called it a successful afternoon and headed on back to the city for some chow. 

There is no better way to fully embrace a downtown adventure than an eating a chicago style pizza. Gino's East was the place to get it. I decided we should go tropic and get the hawaiian style deep dish. Nothing tasted more heavenly at that point. There was enough cheese on just one slice to constipate an elephant, but ohh man- talk about amazing. Its funny because I am opposite of most people... when the typical human eats, they become tired after meals. I become more lively, so whomever i may be with at the time gets my blessing of chatter thrown at them.

We continued the journey down Superior St. and Steve showed up around his place of work, Northwestern University. We went to walk towards the elevators, but the security guard stopped us. They are pretty hardcore strict on who's in and who's out at the downtown location.  I had to give them my driver's license and they took my pix. I thought they were going to fingerprint me and ask for the SSN, but instead they have me a cool visitor pass with my full name and pix on it. holy crack down...

Anyways, Steve showed me around the labs where he is working on many of his research projects. He does a lot of biomedical research in regards to cancer and cardiovascular health. Pretty amazing stuff. It was such a cool feeling walking around the lab because they have a lot of world famous scientists that made their discoveries in the same building.  The guy who invented the LifeVest (an external defibrillator a person wears) did his work in the same building i stood.  I actually recently discharged a patient who went home with a LifeVest. A small part of me began to understand the whole connection with scientists and how the spectrum of healthcare works together to create and establish discoveries and different options for people. Neat :)

So after an enlightening tour, I decided that it would be time to hit the road because it was 9:30pm and i had to work at 7am the next morning. I thanked Steve for a pleasant afternoon and was on my merry way.

on my ride home, i concluded a list of things i pondered, and this will help to end my post for today.
1. Wisconsin drivers are polite, and i appreciate that
2. Milwaukee is easily 25 degrees cooler than chicago, so dress accordingly
3. The only reason ESPN is cool is because it has the packers and brewers mentioned on it
4.I am very excited to go to Shed's for my birthday next month
5. I haven't killed Walter yet, so i started reading books for first time dog owners.

That my friends, is the last inkling i can spurt from my mind. Now, go out and rock the day.
 














Wednesday, August 24, 2011

pumped up kicks--

tonight is a beautiful night. its gorgeous outside, a beautiful weekend lies just ahead, and for once i kind of feel i am prepared for the evening. working nights has been a fantastic adventure, but still messes with the whole circadium rhythm...

This evening i spent with the one and only Hillary Johnson. I made talbot and mung beans for dinner--i don't know if theres even a reader out there who knows what either of those are ;). There is something to be said when you can for once enjoy the company of a good friend over homemade dinner and sip red wine. Maybe i am growing up and fully coming to appreciate the joys of becoming an adult (well some of it that is-there is that part where the gov't robs you of half your paycheck, but that is to be expected). It has been quite the transition over the past summer though-lots of new things to consider, many new things to learn, schedule adjustment, etc. All part of the "living and learning" process....

I can say its been awhile since i've had the chance to write. I had very good intentions yesterday, but i think i made it out of bed for close to 2 hrs. It was all due to the waterskiing and tubing all weekend up at tuttle lake. boy, its hard to say no to just "one more" lap around the lake, but your body sure does take a beating. probably the most fun full body workout ive done in quite sometime though :) I truly didnt feel bad about laying in bed all freakin day though, it actually felt fairly good. In the thoughts that came across my mind while i laid in bed was how nice it would be to share my house with a furry face. I started to browse petfinder.com (big mistake). there are far too many adorable animals that need some lovin. I was at Home Depot last week and bought myself a cactus. It made me so happy because this little plant was just so cheery looking. I brought him home, named him walter, and decided that if i can keep him alive for the next 6 months- i am ready for a dog. I even googled, "how to keep a cactus alive" and fully succeeded in doing so as of week one. So ultimately my reward for keeping Walter happy is a puppy. SCORE!

I am just 48 hrs shy of hitting the road with Joey to my native roots of the upper peninsula. Its in my blood and i honestly cant spend another weekend away from there. I can't wait to hear the frogs sing while ya sit in front of the campfire with the massive stars above you. Its truly God's country up there.

Alright well i must hit up the shower before i slap on scrubs and prepare myself for yet another night of saving lives.  ya'll out there have a fabulous night and remember to smile as you lie in bed tonight- life's pretty sweet. Also, take a listen to this happy tune, it adds to the ambiance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ&ob=av3e

Monday, August 8, 2011

somtimes i wonder why...

So i am currently relaxing in the dark with the fan blowing and soaking in the cool breeze of the lakefront air-- it may sound like i am just about winding down for the night, but that is not the case at all.  Its my first night shift of saving hearts at St. Luke's. I am not entirely sure how anyone really prepares for this adjustment in their schedule, so i am just jumping head first in, plus its a GREAT excuse to grind and drink coffee at 10pm :)...

Its been both a weekend of good and bad. I finished a 6 day stretch of work days and was so excited to get home on Thurs. night at midnight in time to catch up on the stalking world of facebook and read a bit before flipped over and passed out. I slept amazing- with the thought in mind that the next day was payday and i would be heading north to yooperland with my mom to bike Michigan silly. I woke up, enjoyed a cool shower and attempted to start packing. I went down the block a bit to move my car closer to the Astor Cottege. I opened the front door and looked at the seat and thought to myself, "Why in the world is there glass shards on my front seat?" I then looked at the passenger side window to find a completely smashed in window with a big tangle of cords from my center console. Being oblivious, i just shrugged it off and put a sweat shirt down, sat on the seat, and went to start my car. All the robbers got was a broken GPS--really if you're going to steal, don't make it a 2003 Dodge Neon from a recent college grad, try the jaguar behind me. Plus, i wasn't going to let a smashed window ruin my 4 day weekend. I went to put the keys in the ignition and oh man confusion hit me big time. There was literally NO place to put my keys in. The milwaukee thieves broke my window, tried to hotwire my car,  ripped my ignition to pieces, and stole my GPS. Thats when my naive world came crashing down.

After the waterworks subsided, i called the police. While i waited for them to show up, i called the man who knows best-my fasha. He's always so good at talking me thru anything. The two nicest policemen ever came to my front porch and said, "you must be miss Slattery." I said "every other day of the week yes, but right now i wish not." I went to show them the car and they wrote me the report. I attempted my best the whole time we were out there to have a good attitude and crack jokes cuz that's how i deal with stress best. One of the cops was trying to make small talk and asked me what I did for a living. I told him i was a cardiac nurse in south milwaukee. I never expected the response i got, but he replied with, "Holy shit, you're 22, an RN, and great sense of humor-you're quite the catch. Your husband or boyfriend is pretty lucky." hahaha. I told him, "Yah, i tell him that all the time- You're pretty lucky to be dating the coolest person alive."

I tried to do the responsible thing and put my ducks in a row. I called the insurance company and talked with them for quite some time. The plan after that was to get the car towed and taken to a repair shop.  My mom called and said she's packing her bike to come down to Milwaukee for the weekend. Things started to look up.

She got here and we spent the evening sitting on the front porch drinking wine and eating dinner.  I just adore that woman, she would drop anything to help out.  We biked 30+miles in the humidity on Saturday and made the routine trip to Trader Joe's, and got Thai food.  I was so proud of her b/c on Sunday we went to go see the Hangover II and she thought both I and II were hilarious. This afternoon we spent the entire afternoon strolling the lakefront and enjoying the weather. It was wonderful to be able to hang with the big mama despite the despressing start to the weekend. She's my one mom wolf-pack.

I think more than anything, it was truly a degrading situation because I felt so violated. I didn't do anything to anyone and I still had something not so good happen. On the other hand, it also made me realize how freakin thankful i am that is was just my car and not me. I can't even begin to think how awful it must feel to be an abuse or rape victim. My dad kinda set my straight in terms of thought process when he said, "Well, LJ its only your car, after the health news last year for you, this is nothing." Nicely put Joe Slattery. He's right. In light, I am still pretty dang fortunate to be where I am now. Things could be much much worse. So for that-i will continue to press on the rest of my evening. I also realize what great friends i am blessed with- I told my friend Holly and the first thing she said was, "when do you need me to pick u up for work?" Hillary called me on her way home from a long weekend away to see how things followed up when i saw her on Friday. My roomate has also been a big help. Like i said, a crappy situation that reflects greatness a few days out.

Weekends like this enlighten me-which sounds completely oxymoronic (big words make me sound more intellectual :)!) Why be mopey when it sucks?? Moral of my story.

So for all of you white-collared hooligans who work 1st shift out there just settling down for the evening and attempting to catch some shut eye, I am just about to begin another adventure to the night and save lives in the process (almost like batman- save people by night, hide in the batcave by day). sweet :)

just for some gigggles before bedtime.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWXIelRxyRs

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

its days like today i feel pretty good about working for 9 or 10hrs because the AC at my apt vs. the AC at the hospital. I did at one point have one of my old lady patients dance because I "must've stuck my hands in a bucket of ice." hehe oops :)

Today was the first day in three I didnt hit up the beach. Joey, Reg, and I went to Sheboygan for all of Saturday to hit up the water and sand dunes. We set up the tent with the rain fly and used that to shelter ourselves from the overcast sky and nap for awhile. Reggie has progressively been getting better at swimming. Apparently like a month ago he would hardly go in the water and now he dives thru the waves to get the stick 50 ft out! So much fun. I think my personal fave had to be the sand dune diving. Start at the top of the dunes and sommersault and logroll your way down. Makes anyone dizzy enough feel drunk at the bottom--aaaaaannnnnddd every square inch of your body becomes impaled with sand. we all know everyone loves sand in their crack.

We met up with Joey's aunt and uncle and some of their friends for drinks on the lakefront. We met a guy who grew up near the chicago ghetto and told us stories of how he used to steal flowers from the cemetary for his girlfriend. hmm classy :) Also, he was out with a bunch of friends riding the bus and every stop the next friend would get off and tell the bus driver( as in paying for bus fare), "Ohh Crime's got it!" Next guy: "Crime will get it." Last guy: "Yeah, I'm Crime. but crime dont pay!" Oh boy. It truly was a great weekend.

Tonight i took the dog out to Lakeshore State Park. It was just the perfect ending to long day. It beat the heat and there was some sort of punk band playing at the Marcus Amphitheater. The atmosphere was just perfect. The pink sky painted out over a big city by the lake at dusk. Dang, God's good at creating stuff. It felt strange to me to think that I was in school 3 months ago with the biggest test I ever have taken still hanging over my head. Life changes in crazy rapid ways.

I also spent a better part of the evening on the phone. I talked with a good friend that I haven't spoken with in quite awhile. Its always awesome catching up with good friends. It also was a 45 min convo with the big mama and fasha. My mom will always be my best friend, but I will forever be a daddy's girl.  My dad's been playing with some photography ideas and this was one of his most recent:


























This just warmed my heart and made me smile huge. My family is such a great support. I don't know where I would be without them.  The Psalms passage talks about hope....the PHenomenal hope to kick pulmonary hypertension where the sun don't shine. So for this evening, i am going to snuggle up next to a spoiled pooch and smile knowing that I am blessed.

"Breathe in knowing you're exactly where you're suppose to be and that its all happening for the best."

ahh :)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

to fathom---

so i lay in bed tonight finding myself fathoming many different things. My first and foremost is how is can honestly be so comfortable with just a fan in the window.... all of last week it was always a lot hotter in our 2nd story apt vs. the actual outside temp. i love wisconsin weather and our architexture for houses. Europe has this whole thing down.  They dont have A.C. but they do build their houses out of cinderblocks to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. i always say that america should just be europe... random idea-ling.

I also am fathoming how exhausting it is being on job orientation. I truly do really enjoy being a big girl nurse, but i come home and i am just. beat. I try not to get in the habit, but i come home sleep for 2 hrs, up for 2 hrs, and back to bed for the night. yikes. I guess it makes sense when you are constantly learning something every minute of the day. I hear this gets easier after about month three. I was discussing this with Joey and he mentioned that "don't worry you won't always be lame, theres hope for you becoming fun once again." oh man. love the support.

I also have been fathoming how sweet life really is right now. I had my follow up echo last friday. I brought my pride and joy, Holly Fish. We spent from around 8am-ish-1:30pm at St. Luke's (on my day off, i may add-just cant pull myself away i guess). By the end of my appt, doc said that my echo is the "best that she's ever seen it." She told me it took awhile to read it because my heart kept beating really fast, b/c i was so nervous. ha. talk about tears of joy. I feel like a totally free woman. There is no such better news in my book. Holly told me she would've waited all day to hear news like that. I am super byist, but i honestly don't think there is a better medical team out there. We hit up summerfest that night and it just reminded me of last summer at this very time because that is when i received the same type of news. summer's the time of healing. On a side note, irish rock concerts are a BLAST!

My last fathom is how time possibly flies as fast as it does. I walked to the local Whole Foods on Prospect Ave today and spent well over an hour in this store. It just blows my mind how interesting all the stuff is. I made the trek there to buy "wheat bulghur" b/c i wanted to make tabouli for lunch the rest of this week. It is such a blast to try concocting strange ethnic new dishes. Last week was buckwheat groats with italian sausage tofurkey. call me weird- and i'll correct you by saying adventuresome.

I need to head to sleep now, its going to be an early morning, but that also means i get to steal my brother and soon to be sister in law's dog for the week b/c they are going on vaca. Yay :) So until i have the chance to write again, i will leave you with this hilarious website that will keep you occupied and cause procrastination for a long long time. '



http://dearblankpleaseblank.com/


Peace out o wide world of internet stalkers :)

Friday, July 1, 2011

summer adoration

so i often times found myself wondering tonight, "hmm, what am i going to do with myself tomorrow morning??" now, this is a simple question- and thats just the thing. its simple. I have never been less stressed in my life. This is a slightly foreign feeling to me because i always have some sort of driven stress to make me accomplish things, but now its the healthy "eustress" that makes me smile and relax :)

In reflection of the last week, i would have to agree that my life rocks.  I attended a wedding last weekend of two good friends. The company was phenomenal, the atmosphere was fabulous, and most importantly- the dancing was great. Ask any true wisconsinite: its impossible to dislike sippin on free spotted cow and singing bohemian rhapsody. Life's irony decided to strike it big and made Joey the catcher of the garder and myself the girl who caught the bouquet. I then had about 5 people come up to me and said they "called it." Of course.

This week has been one of my feelings. Today completed day 4 of being the nurse. I can honestly say that I adore it at this point- even though this may be the honeymoon stage. My lil old man told me today (after a major heart procedure) told me that the only activity he will be doing is "cuddling with his wife" after i told him he had to take it easy. Fifty-five years of marriage, how stinkin cute. I kinda wanted to pack this guy up and bring him home. Everything about my job is so exhilerating and refreshing.

I finally had a longly anticipated roomie date with Steph last night. I was in Canada canoeing for a week, and she was in Mexico beachin it for the next. i much prefer to live with someone than not- its so much better to have good company to just bounce comments off of. Note: then the neighbors don't think your insane for supposedly talking to yourself. We didn't even really do a whole lot, but its just the idea of companionship. Simple life fulfillment.

All I can really do is sit back in smile. I adore where life continues to take me.

Friday, June 24, 2011

deep canadian thoughtss

As many of you know, its been a rather large explosion of life in a very short amount of time for this girl. In a matter of 5 days, I took and passed my state nursing boards, moved into a new penthouse in downtown milwaukee, had a housewarming party, and left for a 7 day/7 night nature lovers dream getaway to the boundary waters/ Quiteco Canada trip. This was unlike any type of vacation that I have ever been on and thought it deserved its own column to reflect upon. I have decided instead of journaling everyday what happened, that I would compile a list of things I learned in a weeks time away from the real world. Let me begin by saying that i have been a lot of places in this world, but this was by far the most "exotic" trip I have ever been on.
So sit tight, enjoy the comments, and prepare yourself for a fun-filled reflective and educational occasion:

"Canadian Life Experiences 101 for Dummies"

1. You must be one with your "paddle buddy." Joey and I were paired together for the first part of the trip in a 70lbs wooden canoe. I hadn't been canoeing in over a year and was placed in the back side of the boat to steer. Instead of going straight, it was a constant battle to correct the zigzagging across every lake for the first 3 days. My inability to effectively steer combined with Joey's overcompensation in paddling made for a pretty frustrating mode of transportation.  It wasn't until the third morning that I sat in the front and we were finally able to go where we anticipated.  Although, I was inducted into "Tribe farting while walking" as "Scenic Lake Traveler" the one who saw all ends of beauty in every body of water.

2. Bodily functions are happily accepted by all and expelled with pride.  You must burp as loudly as you can and use your flatulence to compete in games like "fart tag." Sam "Young Squat" Heely was overall champion of that game.

3. There is no room for wimpy kitty baby whiners on a 6-day canoe trip.  This means your sore arms will get stronger, your wet clothes will dry, and you will get used to having 9847593847598437 layers of dirt under your fingers. You'll learn to get over it real fast, or you'll end up being eaten by a large fish.

4. The bigger  the northern, the more ugly and slimy is becomes.  These fish are prehistoric creepers that more than likely missed their calling to becoming extinct when the dinosaurs waved the earth goodbye.  Luckily the one I caught never made it out of the water. Little tiny Mary Mode caught a 42incher and Danielle said it looked like a Shamu show from shore as she watched it splash and thrash.

pike-fishing.jpg

5. You could offer me a diamond necklace on a 24 carat golden chain or a simple shower after an entire week in the Canadian wilderness and I would still choose the shower.  I was amazed at how massively dirty a nurse can become and just not care when it comes to living in the wild.  Handsanitizer was present on the trip, but only one small bottle for 9 campers to assist in hand cleansing after "bigger business" has taken place. ;) Danielle still wins award for the filthiest camper, she turned 4 facial wipes jetblack with her garbage hands.

6. Nothing tastes better than a simple PB&J after paddling and portaging 4 or 5 hours.  Actually, we ate like kings the entire trip.  Props to the Mode girls for planning and packing all the grub for 18 campers for an entire week.  Who woulda thought you could eat walleye (caught 2 hours earlier), quinoa, and freshly baked gooey brownies for just one of the nights. I think we all reached our FDA acceptable mercury levels for the next decade with all the fresh fish we consumed. I ate more on this trip than i would in a typical 2 week span.  There was even enough food packed to keep Joey's tapeworm, Edward, satisfied.

7. It was a constant educational experience. It was a definite vacation of "firsts." Never did i ever expect to learn so much in such a short amount of time. Just a few examples: how to fish properly, the most efficient way to squat, get my hands full of fish guts while learning to filet, it takes a LOT to tip a canoe, most effective way to portage as a team, etc. I now understand it takes a special group of humans to consider a canoe trip a "dream vacation." There is a lot of muscle, sweat, knowledge, and work to make it thru alive.

8. The term "gas station" is much different in Canada vs. America.  When a camper states they are going to the "gas station," it is a planned process.  First you must get a canoe, scoot yourself across the water to no mans land, grab the shovel, dig a hole, and __________ (if you are capable of reading this blog entry, you are capable of figuring out the next step.).  We adopted the rule "drop a log, grab a log" to ensure that our woodpile was finely stocked.  Also note, it is not acceptable to poop in the dining room.

9.  The world without electronics is bliss. There is no cellphones, texting, internet, or connection with the outside.  It forces people together through conversation, dry humor, and ridiculous antics.  The only source of connection we had was "The Spot."This little device had a GPS tracking system that would let us check in online and allow people to track our progress back home. It also had an emergency *911* button in case that was necessary.  I can honestly say that there were no major injuries minus the bass that bit off Nicole's finger and Steve slipping three times on the same rock while preparing to portage.






10. If Zeus can pump 20 tons of iron, Steve Mode can pump 90. This man puts Chuck Norris to shame He is into everything. He snorkels amongst the fercious fish of the sea, builds convection ovens from flat rocks, smiles and sings while doing 3/4 mile portages, and is truly fanatical about nature.

11. Sometimes sticks can fix things and other times they cannot.  We used a lot of trees throughout the camping process: firewood, stability columns, etc.  Tony was setting up his hammock on our 5th night and was so intelligently recommended to use a twig to help hold on of the knots. It wasn't more than 3 minutes when there was a massive *WHUMP* as Tony laid dazed and staring at the tree tops.



12. Everyone who goes on a Canadian adventure should bring a Sam Healy with them.  This little twerp was always amusing in some way or another. He could undoubtedly be found climbing trees, saying ridiculous things, humming the Pirates of the Carribean song in a high pitched frequency, or eating pizza after arriving back in Ely from his Sierra Cup.

13. It is a huge honor to be inducted into the "Tribe Farting While Walking." (Aaron and Danielle, please excuse my inability to type with a British accent here!) Squatting Squirrel and Lady Lockin are king and queen of picking a special name for every new camper based upon their own personal experiences the first 4 days of the trip. The night of induction went a little like this: our camp marched into the other with 9 torches in the dark night of a full moon, we were named and tapped with the sacred stick, and arm motioned saying "how." Please look forward to Nicole (hawkeye snapper's) blog for a follow up of all the tribal names.

14.  If there was some way to jar up loon noises and bring them home to the big city, i would be all over that business.  The first night at about 4am, i heard these lil water birds call out- they are far more beautiful sounding than the putrid mourning of the doves outside your bedroom window at 5am. It was also amazing to see them on every lake that we passed, even to the point where they just pop out of the water by your canoe without ya really expecting it. Neat stuff.

15. When people fall, there is no use trying to hold back the laughter (granted you know they're ok not injured). This is going to chip off a little of Steve's pride, but our 5th day out paddling and portaging in the S-chain was the best. Steven attempting to roll the canoe onto his shoulders from the water: *WHAM*.  Attempt number two while walking up the slippery granite rocks:*WHUMP* on his knees again. Attempt number three: *THUMP*. It was like watching cartoons where the character slips on the banana peel, except it was live and with a real human.

16. Crisco and koolaid.  These were two of the major food groups on the trip. I can def say that I have consumed more of these two food stuffs in the last week than i have in my entire life. The lardy goodness is what made our filleted fish every night and the koolaid was an awesome idea to keep people from getting sick of pumping and drinking water all the time.  Although, i will admit but not recommend, using the koolaid to brush my teeth a few of the nights. Kind of an oxymoron.  I missed the last call for water. oops. But seriously, it cant get any better than minty grape.

17. You  get very used to being wet quickly.  During the 4-5hr paddle/portage sessions per day, it is very likely that at least 75% of your body is wet.  This means that your socks, shoes, undies, pants, and everything below the waist is wet. You then have no choice but to paddle harder or you will become chilly rather quickly. Don't worry the pruny hands and feet only last until  you get to camp and then you put on your other pair of wool socks that are covered in sticks, soot, and reek to high heaven. Its a win-win :)

18. Coffee tastes a crap ton better when it is perculated over a hot fire in the morning with breakfast than any starbucks out there.  I am a rather large coffee connoisseur and worked at a Caribou for a year, and there is still nothing that tastes better than waking up to the fresh smell of woods and slowly crawling towards the fire pit to go get your morning cup o joy.  Thank you "8'oclock coffee."

19. Mitch Hedberg and Patton Oswald are very useful companions to take along on an 8+hr car trip. There's no way around it, its a long car ride with 5 people in a Saturn VUE- these men help to distract and keep everyone's sense of humor fresh and light.

20. Nobody judges in Canada.  Some of the friendliest people out there are those woodspeople you meet while portaging.  We met a 65+yr old couple from Gainesville, FL who drove 2.5 days just to hit up the boundary waters, thats passion. Also, when you spend a week with the same 9 people nobody cares that your wear the same clothes everyday, reek to high heaven, or wash your hands in a lake before you eat dinner. You learn to embrace living in nature's bounty with one another.  The best part about vacationing in Canada is that there are no drama queens or pimp daddy whiners. Just a bunch of friendly folk who love the woods and fishing.





This is about my best attempt to relive a week in Canada in educational list form.  Its funny, because I still continue to see things that i learned last week be used into my reality life.  I use TP more sparingly in the bathroom, flex my sporty looking paddling pipes, and find myself spending more time outside just because I miss nature in full fledge. Overall, it was an amazing trip that I will not forget.  Joey and I would like to thank the Mode clan for the invite and incredible experience. Also, the Brus boys and Sam for adding to the good company and memories. The only thing i would change for next is that i learn to track a moose and then domesticate it for a practical house pet, but then again that is a big dream. Maybe next time :)


Thursday, April 28, 2011

last evening of the betweener life...

I've always thought college was good for a few things.
1. education
2. meeting cool people
3. living that inbetween life. its that life where you aren't entirely responsible to a big kid and you still get free dental coverage under your parent's insurance. basically you can be irresponsible and still have pearly white. :D
 its one of those nights i never gave much thought to, nor did i ever really think would approach it as fast as it did.  The last night of my undergrad experience.  This could be scary, but it is truly not. I have been very fortunate in all those scary things a person has to face after college is done. Job-taken care of. Place to live-check. More or less its something I have been ready for for a very long time. I haven't really been in school per say all of this year. I sat in class, but my heart has def been else where. I think its experience that takes truly guides where a person is at a given time. Its been a fun ride, but boy is this girl ready to spread her wings.

Life is pretty much a mystery everyday you wake up. I had no idea what i was going to fix for breakfast this morning, and i had no idea I would feel this accomplished after 4 years of college. see, mystery. so i guess wherever life wants to take me in the next step all i can do is trust that its exactly where I am suppose to be. with that i am content.

These gentlemen are brilliant and are singing my mind this evening....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk

Saturday, April 9, 2011

spring :)

Yesterday marked 30 more days until I will be done with my undergrad forever. That means one word: bliss. It also means another word: holycrapthatssoonandlifeisgoingtohavesomemajorchangeshappeningyikes. try saying that one 10 times fast ;) this is a time that i have been ready for for more than year now. I have the mentality that i graduated in May of 2010 with all my old roomies because thats just how the flow felt. I can't wait to feel that freedom of breathing once again.

I have taken the time to retreat back home in green bay for a 4 day weekend. I left waukesha yesterday to spend time with best friend from high school in appleton along the way back. It took us all of about an hour to catch up on life. we spent the better part of the night strolling up and down college ave in downtown. Loved all of the indie coffee shops and fair trade stuff! A very successful longly awaited visit that i am so glad happened!

Today was a lot of running around with big mama slattery. We ended up at the W&S huge bike expo at the state fair grounds in Milwaukee.  Just walking around gave me that "bikers rush." It was just in the atmosphere, that kind of positive energy that so many other roadies share. Makes me excited for tomorrow's 77 degree day- and i WILL take full advantage. Best investment ever.

Life has recently kind of started to fall together very nicely. There are a lot of things I never would of expected happening so quickly: Thursday i finally finished all of my 180 clinical hours, i started apt hunting on the east side, got super excited about the canada canoe portaging trip i am going on in june, and  accepted a full time position on the cardiac floor i work on. Not too shabby. It is to the point where i wake up and feel exhausted though. This 12 credits and 3 jobs starts to wear, it has been very helpful in passing time. I truly think what it is that blows my mind away is that thinking even a year ago at this time, i never would've imagined myself where I stand now. My life has always chimed in at about 98% irony, but i truly trust and believe I am exactly where I am intended to be. Life truly does work in mysterious ways ;)

So, I am about to call it a night of laid back success because the evening was exactly what i needed it to be, lame. I get to be in ashwaubenon laying in the bed i slept in from the time i was 3-18 yrs old and anticipate another day of no stress or responsibility. Amen to that !!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

bayshore

Surprises on saturday mid-days. I was out saving lives this morning when one of the nurses called me on my work phone to ask if i wanted 50x. This rarely happens for me. In aurora healthcare standards that translates to I was asked if i wanted to be let go early. I did not contemplate this idea for very long and brightly said, "but of course!" so there i was....
this 5'8ft girl in scrubs with an entire afternoon to herself. what on earth would you ever do with a couple of extra hours to spare on a gorgeous (gorgeous meaning I didnt feel like my face was being froze off my face) february afternoon? I found myself driving on 41 towards green bay and turning off at bayshore mall. I thought it would be fun to take care of some serious business and so i grabbed a red cart that read "trader joe's" and started paroosing the busy organic food store. I love grocery shopping. I don't know if its the actual food shopping or just hanging out with myself.  I decided a few years ago if i never ended up getting married during my lifetime, i would never be bored or lonely because i have myself. In the most non-egotistical way that can sound, it is true. If you are content with who you are in yourself- you really do pretty have much have the world dominated. so anyways, i continued shopping as i grinned internally. let me also mention i am stoked to try this new white reisling :)

Today is significant in itself. It marks the start of heart remodelization round 2. I did the same thing about 6 months with trustly ole Remus. About a month back, I hit a bit of a bump in the road when my PA pressures crept up a bit. I felt like i got punched in the stomach because i had not expected it at all. After getting squared away with the insurance it was time to start another kick butt med. time to rock it again.

So i am going to continue listening to ben folds and eating my carrot cake cliffbar with good thoughts in my head and good music in my ears. its a good day- its in the energy of the people i am around.

Friday, February 11, 2011

soaking up a friday afternoon...

There is something that makes me so content with finishing up a paper and knowing that my little reward for myself at the end is journaling.  I have a friend who once told me that journaling is the best form of free therapy. He was right. I have always been a journaler, but the last few years it has taken the trend of my busy schedule.  Thus meaning, it has not happened as often as i would like it to. Perhaps my blogging for today will make up for the last two years that were not documented. psh hahaha

Its been an interesting type of week. I've had a lot of thoughts run through my head. Some of these thoughts are just ridiculous because they are months away from even mattering.  A lot of it has to do with the quickly approaching future that involves graduation. In my mind, i have been graduated since last may with my old roomies and best friends. I remember back to my freshmen year where i would be absolutely content sitting in the library for hours studying every night.... it has morphed to me caring much less about the actual book stuff and more to the hands on.  My nursing capstone is perfect for that.

 I am on the beloved 10T at St. Luke's where one short year ago i was a patient in room #8.  Its been highly educational thus far and I have enjoyed it a lot. My preceptor is so much fun- I even ended up going home with her and another one of the nurses' the night of the snowpacalypse where it dumped 14 inches in one night. That was a treat- up till 3am with junk food and medical stories. In some ways i love saying "I am a last semester nursing student," but i get to the practical setting and it resolidifies how much i really don't know... paying thousands in tuition to feel completely clueless... haha i guess that could sound like "paying money to feel like an idiot." Its the experience that you develop that matters most and that will come with time.

I keep trying to contemplate where i am going with this last semester. I'd say its one of the busiest I've had and i hear its suppose to be opposite with much less going on. My life ironically likes to never go with the trend for anything. I am fairly certain that comes from being named, "Lauren Slattery." If my life made sense, i would more than likely get bored and cause mischief somewhere else. It boggles my mind to see the person i've become in this journey of college. It makes me wonder what the conversation at the five year high school reunion would go, "So what's been up with you Lauren?" Hmm where to begin... "well, I hung out in the austrian alps, been to Seoul for new years, biked a 150 mile tour, attended a billy joel and ben folds concert, had two cardiac catheterizations, met the some of the most amazing people out there, maintained an international relationship after dating for 3 months, and called my mom at least three times a week." thats just a rough estimate of the last five-ish years.

I think sometimes that some parts of my life are unfair, but soon than after i mentally slap myself and quickly recall that I have my confidence and passion for life are only enriched from my experiences. This is true for everyone. For as long as I can remember, my dad has always told me : "life is never as good or as bad as it seems."When i think about complaining- i remember that everything is perspective and you have COMPLETE control in how to approach it. Yeeaaaaahhh, once again dad is right.

So, I guess all in all the moral of the story is: love your life and make it fun- like your walking on bubble wrap everywhere you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toOISmL5BbY