Happy New Year!

The holidays are just about over and the time has come to pack away the decorations, a daunting task each year. I really enjoyed them this year, and never once felt like it was a monumental task to get them out and up. I think getting them out early allowed me to really enjoy them for a longer period of time, and now that it is time to put them away, I feel ready. It has not been that way for me other years and at times has felt like a burden. In some respects I envy my sister who puts out a few menorahs and calls it a day.

This was the first holiday in a while that I never felt rushed to get things done. I did those holiday tasks early and got help (cookie baking). I got through the holidays feeling less exhausted, thus enjoying them more. I also think that because school was over, no matter how many tasks I had before me, I had a huge boulder taken off of my shoulders. YAY! (again).

I’m excited about 2010. I have a new role, a new degree, and new challenges. I’m ready.

Addictions

About two months ago, or even less, but not much less, I got started playing a game through Facebook called Farmville. I watched my daughter for a few weeks race to her laptop each am and then again after work, and originallythought she was dedicated to school stuff. However, one day I asked her what she was doing with so much enthusiasm and focus. Her reply, "Harvesting my crops." Huh?

So it was with my usual curiosity that I began to investigate and soon found myself a virtual farmer. My farm was slow to evolve, but with the help of my farm neighbors, I was soon gifted with all kinds of tress andanimals, and my farm was soon thriving and keeping me quite busy. I harvest and plant crops, gather feathers, milk cows, and collect eggs, and with each task I am rewarded coins and the occasional bonus. It's quite addicting, but with close family and friends playing along, loads of fun. Of course, the competative side keeps me working hard to level up to others, and with much determination, I am right beside those I wish to compete with as we play. It's also nice to spend time online with dear friends, and my family tat does not live nearby.

It is a nice change for me to be here to write my blog and to play virtual games without having to worry about posting an assignment or write/research a paper. Perhaps its not Farmville that is the addiction, but the pleasure of being in a virtual community without having to be in a virtual community. I'd write more, but I have to harvest.

Understanding Hemingway

I just found out that my brother does not understand and doesn’t “get” Ernest Hemingway. He recently took one of his books (and for the life of me I cannot remember which one it was right now) out hunting with him and read while waiting for deer to pass by. What better time to read Hemingway? The man loved the sport of hunting (bullfighting and fishing) and often wrote about it. His writing is to the point and memorable. His characters raw, real, and people we can relate to, people we know. Ernest Hemingway is a master of dialogue. It's not so much that he is recreating precisely how individuals speak, but through his brilliant use of repetition, he is able to make the reader remember what has been said.

I don’t get it. Perhaps he needs to try again. My brother, not Hemingway.

Holiday Magic!

There is something magical about New York City during the holidays and the closer one gets to Christmas, the more magical it becomes. We went to the city yesterday with an impending storm creeping up the coast, yet the whole time we were there, not one single flake of snow was seen, until it was time to go. Despite the cold (which in my opinion only adds to the atmosphere), our inner spirits were warmed with the sights and sounds of the holidays. The Rockefeller tree is always beautiful, but when you stand beside it, it seems even more magnificent and even more gorgeous. Because of the impending storm there were not as many people, so no pushing or shoving had to be done in order to move one step forward. It was a perfect day to be there.

We also went to see Wicked a play I have been waiting so long to see. I loved it! I loved the book so the play had to be good. I was not disappointed. We hit a local deli (they are all so good in the city) and despite Caitlin not getting what she ordered, the rest of us had a great lunch (I know such trivial information but when you are in the city each experience adds to the day).

We took the train and when we got back to our car we had to do a little bit of digging the car out and then heading down the garden state parkway proved interesting as well (not yet plowed). We made it home (obviously) safe and sound and I have added one more day to my bank of special memories.

I love the holidays!

Time

I have more of it and once again I am back to writing my blog. I have spent far too much time away from it and I have missed being able to sit and think and write about anything other than scholarly papers for school. I also have had people ask "Where are you? Where is that blog?" So here I am.

What's new?

Done. I am officially done with school. For now. I need time to chill and enjoy my accomplishments before thinking about doing more. I have ideas floating around in my head, but for now, they are merely tiny little thoughts. I start as adjunct faculty for Seton Hall University as a clinical nursing educator and I am beyond thrilled and cannot wait to face this challenge. It's been one hell of ride to get here, but I have and with a 4.0 GPA. Not bad for an older person.

Work. The new gig as nursing educator is going. I like it. I like the challenge and I work with an incredible team of nurses. What's not to like.

Home. All is well. Thank God.

Family. Ditto.