I guess you could call this my foreign film review for the month. Nothing better to battle the winter sniffles than some good sleep, warm coffee or tea, soup, and a good movie to snuggle in with on the couch. Of course, happy, sweet pups are good to snuggle with, too, and I’ve had plenty of that as well.
The first movie is Das Leben der Anderen, in English it is “The Lives of Others.” Even J liked this one. Its a film about the GDR and its Stasi (German police) in East Germany and their spying techniques on local artists. Of course, its a little more detailed than that, but I won’t spoil it for you. Lets just say its about character, the effects of social milieus, and the price of morality in Communist Germany. Excellent movie. I might even watch it again.
The next movie that I just finished a few hours ago is Le Fils de l’epicier, translated “The Grocer’s Son.” This one is a French film about a man living in the city forced to return home to Provence after 10 years to work his father’s country grocery store. Oh, poor guy has to live in Provence. The store is not really a store but a traveling deli van that delivers goods to the elderly living way out in the country. The son is cranky and difficult to get a long with. He resents being home and his father, while at the same time is dealing with unrequited for a girlfriend. The trip home is a good way to prove his feelings, but ultimately ends up disastrous. There’s more to it, again. Family feuds, personal struggles and finding oneself. The background is beautiful and the scenes quaint. Makes me want to move to France and raise sheep. I, of course, loved the feisty old women and that everyone eats “tins of peas.” I may just eat them myself.
Next we have Hors de prix. This is another French film staring Audrey Tautou from such films as Le Fabuleux destin d’Amelie Poulain (Amelie, 2001) and my favorite Dirty, Pretty, Things. This one is a bit different than the above. It’s a cute romantic comedy; not exactly thought-provoking but it’s entertaining. Like I said, it’s a romantic comedy. ‘Nuff said.
Finally, I recommend Lars and the Real Girl. This one I watched last month, but I just can’t stop thinking about it. In fact I watched it twice in the same day. It’s about a small country town up north, probably Minnesota somewhere, and how they deal with Lars, an awkward chap who just doesn’t deal well with real people. It also stars some of my favorite actresses Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson. All of the characters are wonderful in this movie. I highly recommend it.
I’ve been using all this movie time to work on my socks. I’m nearly done with the first one. They are of the toe-up variety. My first attempt at this “easier” sock pattern. Toe-up socks are a bit easier; it just takes a little while to decipher the directions. Once you get those down its a piece of cake, especially the heel since its exactly like the toe. I’d supply you with a picture, but J can’t find the camera.
It’s a New Year. I thought I might mention that in case you, the reader, have been living in some hole somewhere and did not know that. Quite possible, I guess, for someone to not realize it’s the first of the year. Caught me off guard. I worked, OF COURSE. That’s all I’ve been doing lately. I’m not upset about it. Extra pay, where do I sign up? I especially need it with international travels fast approaching.
When I was younger, New Year’s Eve was always a magical time. I loved staying up late and staring down the clock for the exact moment the time changed. It was even better than Xmas, well, in a different way, I guess. It could have been that I just liked getting to stay up late. At the same time, there was something special about the thought of new beginnings, a chance to do everything different. Nothing changed, mind you. But the thought was there and there was something so refreshing about it. This year it was kind of blah. I looked up from charting and it was like “oh, its midnight, time to give X their medicine”. This may sound sad and pathetic, but I don’t think so.
I think it means that right now things are good, grounded maybe. I don’t need new beginnings? I like the thought of that; the idea that I’m not in a temporary place. It could also mean that I’ve grown up and don’t believe in magic anymore. But I’ll choose the less pessimistic view for now. Still there is something pure about a new year, well, once one has come out of the drunken haze of the previous year that is. Not for me. I drove home in a very clairvoyant attitude.
One thing that has always struck me as odd, however, is “year-end reviews.” I saw one on the “Today Show” this morning…. worthless. Maybe they are supposed to be. Then again, I have trouble remembering what I ate for dinner a few nights ago. Forget something that happened back in February, it’s no longer categorized. The big events, sure. Special events, no problem, but honestly, I’ve always preferred the feeling of a moment rather than the actual events. Like a warm drink on a cold night with a cozy blanket, you don’t remember every night like that, but a general feeling of home and security during the winter. That’s how my consciousness works, I guess.
As I drove home today, I tried to construct so said “year-end review.” I think I probably could have done it, but I settled on creating a top five soundtrack for the year. Talking Heads “This Must Be The Place”
Whew. What a holiday season this has been! It was like that dream you have where you’re running from scene to scene quickly with everyone you know somewhere in the background. When you wake up your mind is somewhat swimming because so much happened in such a short time. It was great really, aside from the time where I started getting cranky from too little sleep. I’ve been doing that lately. I love working nights. Less family to deal with, less doctor interactions. In the morning, however, I may or may not be tired and I may or may not sleep eight hours. It’s a toss up really. I always make up for the lost sleep, but I just may sleep 12-13 hours in one night to do it. Just a little bit of chaos to keep me on my toes.
This holiday I’ve been very introspective, I think. Maybe a little too serious. I’ve been thinking a lot about birth and death. I’ve been pretty close to death these past two weeks, not me personally, but close to those dying. Its just part of the job, I guess. They say that medical professionals have a tendency to depersonalize, thinking of patients in terms of their disease processes rather than individual traits and personalities. I can see that. I think I’ve done that recently. That’s a hard thing to bear, I think, and somewhat shaming. Knowing that a person before you, you may or may not have thought of as their own unique individual. Its a coping technique, I know. Still, its a hard thing to put my head around. I hope that each person I’ve made as comfortable as possible and that I’ve treated as respectfully as I can.
Being close to death makes you think a lot about your own death, I think. I don’t want to be in a hospital when I die. I don’t want to be around strangers without family or my dogs, but I don’t want to make those close to me watch me die either. I don’t want to die alone with tubes and monitors or breathing machines and constant noise. I don’t want to die and immediately be put in a bag and shipped to the morgue only to know that my room will soon be occupied by someone else who may or may not die there, too. It’s a pessimistic notion, I realize. Except, I think that at times hospitals give a very pessimistic view of life. It can be hopeful, too, but not this week. At least not for me. Anyway, as far as the birth thing. I’ve been surrounded by new life and young kids this week; that can always bring one out of the doom and gloom perspective. Circle of life, I guess. While I can appreciate that and the presence of little one, I’m not yet willing to add to that circle, but maybe someday.
I had a crazy dream last night. I can’t remember all of it, but I know it incorporated my holiday theme of frequent scene changes and quite possibly every single person I know. It was almost as crazy as this Damien Rice video for “Nine Crimes”. One of my favorite songs these days.
Another favorite is this song by The Weepies “World Spins Madly On”. I’ll share that with you, too. You may just see a similar theme here of doom and gloom, but I’m not going to think too hard about it right now. I’ll save the happy tunes for my Yelapa and Italy trips! That’s right folks. If the price is right I may be going to Italy in August!! Too many balls in the air for a definite right now, but let’s just say the percentage is in favor of going. My god it’s Italy for crying out loud!!!!!
Okay, okay. I fully acknowledge that I was a little crazy in the last post. This is a prime example of when you should not speak, write, etc. but throw yourself into a diversion of some sorts. Since you are probably on the edge of your seats regarding my results, I will state them plainly…
Statement A: In life there will be days that make absolutely no difference whatsoever in the deciding your life course.
Statement B: Contrary to this, there will be days that ABSOLUTELY decide the course of your life.
Now you may personally agree or disagree with the above statements. Some would say that every decision has an effect on a persons life course. I would argue that sitting at home all day watching “The Wire” does not directly affect my the direction of my life. Now if I decided to sit at home all day watching said TV show and eating several large bags of potato chips that might be a different story, as it would directly affect my health status, thereby affecting my longevity. In contrast to this, having a baby or getting in a major car accident would absolutely decide the course of the rest of my life. In general, I would say my proclivity is to agree partly with statement A and most definitely with statement B.
Why am I being philosophically vague and not to mention strange? No, no, no, I am not pregnant. It would, however, most definitely be due to the fact that I have recently had a bout with a certain NCLEX test this morning. Not sure what this is. Let me decipher it for you.
The NCLEX is an incredibly obnoxious test that can either be 75 or 265 questions, in which you can either pass or fail within 6 hours. If you get 75 questions you may have passed OR you may have done so poorly the computer decided you would be an INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS nurse. Now if you get 265 you may have needed more questions to decide your fate or you did very poorly.
On top of this there are various types of questions: regular multiple choice ones, calculations, diagrams, or SELECT ALL THAT APPLY!!! Yes, that’s right there are multiple choice questions that allow you to select up to FIVE right answers and if you miss one right answer you fail the entire question. This might not be so bad, if for instance, your test had one, two, maybe even a handful of this type of question. But it is extraordinarily discouraging when your test is composed of nearly 50% of these questions. That’s right I would guesstimate 50% (not an over-exaggeration).
Oh, and I forgot the best part. . . after taking such a test you don’t get to see your results. You must wait 2 business days and then pay $7.95 for YOUR results. This is mind-boggling to me. The first being in the age of advanced computer technology a test designed to calculate your score WHILE you are taking it, and shut off at a certain point if a passing score is achieved or not, and it cannot tell you your score immediately. Of course it could be that the company chooses not to show the results in case a crazy nursing student has suicidal, or even homicidal, tendencies. Not knowing the results after the computer shuts off is hair-raising yes, but what is worse is paying 8 bucks to get said results. 8 BUCKS! Did I not already shell out a bazillion dollars already to take the stupid thing now I have to pay 8 BUCKS to have a little sanity and piece of mind by receiving my OWN test results. I find this to be simply illogical.
In the test-nazi’s defense I guess I don’t have to wait months for my paper results to be calculated and it only took an hour and a half to take the test rather than two days. But I still maintain my right to be peeved-off, regardless.
So returning to my initial statements, today could be/most definitely is one of those days that changes the course of my life. Or it could be another day that I had to take a silly little test. I think I’m going with the former, rather than the latter. I’ll be sure to let you know my decision in 2 business days once I’ve shelled out some more cash. Dum spiro, spero.
Hope all is well for you.
Disclaimer: All statements made above could quite possibly to post-test anxiety and not the real opinion of this blogger.
Now, I haven’t always been the most consistent publisher with this whole website thing, but this absence was simply ridiculous! I hang my head in shame at the thought of this long, long departure from knitting and mischief. To be fair, however, you wouldn’t have enjoyed my company.
In fact, I am utterly amazed everyday that I am still married. Wouldn’t call it marital bliss these past few months (at least on my part, J’s been sweet as always), that’s for sure, but wedded we still are. Contrary to popular belief J. did NOT leave me because I talked about nursing ALL THE TIME. Nor did he decide to boot me from the house for emotional roller-coasters and stress-related breakdowns. He could/should have, but he persevered. Although, I think I lost my serenade privileges.
So what is different today than the all the other days of absurdity that I did not post. Good question. Today is substantial for three reasons. First - today I completed two important tasks to bring me to the end of my nursing school career. I took my Exit HESI (or as I like to call it - standardized test from hell) and I did not fail it but actually scored pretty good. Then I presented my senior assignment project on Postpartum Depression at the SIUE Senior Assignment Showcase. In simpler terms, I rocked an elitist presentation of top undergraduate presenters from 26 university departments. Keep in mind when I say “rocked” I mean I didn’t embarrass myself completely. Although there was a filming incident posted on youtube at a future date to which I may change my opinion. The second reason today is different is that I have only 10 more days of nursing school! Man I am relieved! You would think the last 8 weeks would be easy breezy, but were they ever rocked with scandal. I’ll tell you. There was a point when I was worried my career would be flushed down the royal commode. As I am 100% positive I will graduate with honors, I no longer fret. Thirdly, due to my good fortune, I have broken into the sauce and cranking up the radio. Its time to return to sanity. And man, oh man, I have missed what little I had.
Updates
I know you’ve been waiting for them…..
No job, yet. But I believe I shall have an interview soon. I’m not stressing it. I believe I just have to apply at my current place and I’ll be set.
New construction on the kitchen. This weekend we (I use this term liberally seeing as it does not necessarily imply I did the work, but more oversaw the process) installed a new oven. No more sparking dishes for me! Also we (again, see above) installed the pass-through countertop. It really pulls the rooms together, in my opinion. I can with accuracy claim that I was hard at work with Evelyn putting a puzzle together.
Before setting off for a brief (very brief) holiday interlude, I thought I would attempt to provide you with one more morsel of entertainment. I present to you, the most heinous knitting craft I have ever, ever created. Though some of you may love it, I simply shake my head in shame.
Here is Ms. Condom Cozy, a recently created holiday gift:
Capable of holding condoms, or perhaps for the less promiscuous, pens (see below).
I cannot take full credit for this creation, of course. It was presented to me in one of last years gifts of fabulousness, “Naughty Needles,” by Nikol Lohr. I cannot say with certainty if I will make any more of the books creations, but it is quite something, to say the least.
As I am about to embark on holiday travel at this very minute, I will leave you with some holiday cheer and, quite possibly, a seizure.
I finally completed the market bag.
It hasn’t been put to use yet, but…..
Sigma really seems to like it.
As per your request here is ceil. If you think I look slightly nauseous, I’ll let you in on a little secret…. I was! Fortunately for me, I did not follow through with that nasty inclination but had a fairly good first day. No one died. I didn’t lacerate anyone’s fingers during blood glucose checks. I promoted patient and hospital safety in the elevators. Finally, the most important of all indicators, I didn’t feel like a totally incompetent fool! Of course, Tuesday may bring a whole new atmosphere.
Speaking of atmosphere, we had our very first snow of the season here in the Metro East region. That is the first snow to actually stick. It snowed all day with a hiatus of only two hours midmorning. The dogs LOVED it. They pranced and danced and stuck their noses in it. J and I had had enough by evening time. J probably more so in that he had to drive home from the Greater St. Louis area; a typical 30 minute drive took over one hour and if you know J, which most of you do, he hates delays. Although, you really gotta love the snow! Hopefully, that is all we see for the rest of the holiday travel time.
My new computer has finally arrived. Actually, it arrived last Wednesday. I have been so enamored with it, however, I have yet to post anything about it. This is mostly because I have spent hours tweaking and fine-tuning it for my technological needs (which mostly consist of streaming television shows) that I could never do on my laptop.
Speaking of laptops, look how little Mojo is compared to Henry. That’s right I named them. Henry is the new apple edition to the 317 family of computers.
In other news, I had orientation on Monday at my new job. It went well despite the fact that I also needed to have my 2nd-step TB test read that same day on the other side of Alton, among other things. I even survived driving all the way to Fairview Heights in the freezing rain to buy scrubs for today. My new set is ceil. Strange name for scrubs if you ask me. “Ceil” is an archaic verb meaning to “line or plaster the roof of a building.” These scrubs look neither like ceiling material nor the color of plaster so you’ve got me why their named that. I just wear them, I don’t name them.
When purchasing scrubs, however, I did NOT get “Grey’s Anatomy” scrubs, although they do sell them. Tempting, I know.
Since I have had orientation, I now know my schedule for the upcoming holidays. Some disappointments, I won’t lie. While I have Christmas eve, Christmas day, and the day after Christmas off, I do have to work New Year’s Day and a few days before, cutting short my excursions with family and friends. All-in-all, however, it is not so bad considering I just started and almost everyone in the nursing world has to work some part of the holidays. At least you will all see my bright and shining face some part of holidays.
For those of you who my not be aware, I have been absent from this site for approximately three months. Three months, yes, that’s right. If you don’t believe me simply scroll down to the next posting and you will see that September was the last day that I posted, most likely with promises to continue posting regularly. Ha! That worked out well, didn’t it.
Now some of you may not notice or more likely you do not care that there has been an extended absence. The latter certainly does not hurt my feelings. I enjoy a good ackbar.org proper posting here and there, but have yet to die from its five month hiatus. Others of you, however, ahem….Joe…. seem deeply forlorn that there has not been a more recent update. In light of this, Joe, this post is for you.
Where to begin, where to begin….
First, let me begin by rationalizing my absence in order to appease my conscience. Posting, or rather the lack there of, is contingent on three elements: time, content, and functional equipment. Now content is a tricky element because one might say that there is never an absence of content, with endless possibilities daily. I might argue, however, that rambling about your dogs and endless chatter regarding nursing stuff cannot always equate to sufficient content. So, I could argue that there has not been endless content to discuss and subsequently due to this, I have not posted. I know this will not appease many of you so I will continue to rationalize my absence with the other items.
Time, eh, that’s debatable as well. Do I waste time watching television? Yes, yes I do. In my defense, however, that time should be used more wisely for studying, I’m just simply preparing to study all those numerous hours spent watching “Pushing Daisies” and “Heroes.”
Finally, the one element that is beyond my control, functional equipment. Many of you will remember that I have been complaining endlessly about my camera and computer. Two critical pieces for updating this cutting-edge blog. Without which you will have blurry photos of my more recent projects and a frustrated author (because I’ve spent 10 hours waiting for photoshop to load or I’ve just had a fight with ackbar himself for confiscating his computer). This equipment problem, however, has been rectified! I am now the proud owner of a Canon PowerShot SD1000! A magnificent piece of machinery that I have yet to explore entirely. The most impressive items I have discovered so far include photographing Sigma yawning without blurring like our old camera (can you tell what that is? Neither can I) and highlighting a single color accent in a this picture. Fantastic. I have also ordered a new computer. I am bursting with excitement for this puppy to grace my presence. It should be here sometime next week.
Now that I have satisfied by conscience, I’ll move on to the updates.
You are now reading the thoughts of the newest PRN Post-surgical Nursing Assistant at St. Anthony’s Health Center. Yay me. I’m sure it doesn’t sound very glamorous to many of you, but I think its just wonderful. Mostly, I’ll be getting a lot of hands-on experience before working as a RN and the hospital will pay for my NCLEX review, test, and licensing. All of which allows me to purchase a new computer and subsequently, bring more posting to you. Excited now?
Next on the agenda, me…..the artist. During my Thanksgiving holiday I was afforded many free hours to watch television and KNIT! Something I have neglected for too long. Once I picked it back up, my fingers were so delighted they refused to put down the needles. I completed a market bag featured on Knitty (I’m too embarrassed to show my own, it is just not as pretty, even though I do love it), scarf, and other items that cannot be revealed here due to the current season we are in….namely, the holiday one. The scarf is mostly stockinette stitch with a herringbone lace pattern at each end.
The herringbone lace pattern:
All odd-numbered rows: purl all sts.
Rows 2, 4, and 6: *K 2 tog, K 2, yo, K 2 - rep from *, end same
Rows 8, 10, and 12: K 3, *yo, K 2, SKP (slip, knit, pass), K 2- rep from *, end
yo, SKP, K 1.
I’ve also adamantly been working on Stella. I gave her some subtle bling.
Now I’ll scoop ackbar.org proper. Recent events include Roboprix 2007, hosted by Edwardsville High School and slow-moving home renovations, to which I’ll bring you a sneak peak.
Roboprix 2007 highlights:
Excellent volunteers and judges.
Intense competition.
Renovations:
New closet space.
Mudding.
I’ll end this exhaustive update here until more exciting news happens.
