I've had a nice surprise awaiting me at work last night. My co-workers organized a little good-bye party for me. I was puzzled when mid-shift the nurse manager walked into the room with a serious face, saying that the supervisor wanted to see me in her office. I am on friendly terms with her, so wild thoughts were going through my head, starting with "What could I have done wrong?", and ending with "Maybe she wants to ask me about my new workplace". I go downstairs and find all of my favorite coworkers(about 10 of them), gathered there. I have never expected anything like that and they've been planning this for a week now. I wanted to cry, that's how moved I was. Cards with beautiful words, gifts, and home-made food...I was floored. I had no idea that so many people cared about me that much. I will miss them immensely, we've had such great times, shared some funny and crazy wild moments, and were an incredible team. They still are a great team, and will be...It's too sad to leave them behind, and I hope everyone gets to experience that kind of a warm feeling of belonging to such an amazing caring team.

I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of Woody Allen's work, but I couldn't pass up on this one. The European setting of the movie and the cast just got me curious, the plot seemed enticing, so...I went to see it today. What can I say? I truly enjoyed it - I laughed, I frowned, there were a few "whatever"s slipping off my lips - I've had a wonderful time at the theatre. The narrator style did irritate me a bit, but overall, I don't think there's anyone else who could expose human soul and hidden desires, like Woody Allen does, in a comical kind of way, yet so realistic...
[600x400]

I've passed them all. Once again, hard work did pay off and I'm very satisfied.

The results are:
1. Prometric NorthEast Regional Board - 95
2. Clinical NorthEast Regional Board - 100
3. National Board Dental Hygiene Exam - 95

Well, for the past month I've been intensively searching for jobs...it hasn't been easy, since I wanted something out of Albany-Troy area, but not too far north. And...it's hard to interview for a job, knowing that you will be leaving the country for a month and will only be able to start working 2 months after accepting the offer. When mostly they need you to start working yesterday. :)
When I saw this ad two weeks ago, I really went for it; I got the interview, was very confident and forward, it went well and we've found some common ground; at the end of the interview I was bold enough to pop the "May I have the job?" question. Two days later, while driving to Boston I got the phone call from that office; before I answered the call, I was sure they just wanted my references, but when they said that they were offering me the position, I almost went off the highway. Good news. Full-time position, good hours, nice benefits and the pay seems to be competetive. Yesterday I spent the day at the office, shadowing the hygienists, getting aquainted with the staff and the office. Hopefully we'll all work out for each other. My start day is October 1st.
Now...I only have to get my last Board results and the license. By rumors, the results should be in the Office of Professions by the end of August. Keeping my fingers crossed.
On September 2nd I'm flying to Russia to finally visit with my family and friends, whom I haven't seen since 2005. Will be back on the 30th of September, if everything goes well. I'm a bit vary of the situation with Georgia, and tightening relationship between the states and russia. Let's pray, everything is going to be allright. For everyone.

So...that's where I stand today. Full of hopes and emotions.

It's funny how my emotions go this week. One day I feel content with my single life and have no desire to be in a relationship, I feel inspired to finally do things that I truly want to do without looking back...And last night I just wanted to cuddle up to a warm shoulder and bury my face in his skin, wanted to escape this world and feel this intimate feeling of closeness to someone else once again. Not yet though...not yet.

I managed to squeeze in a short trip to Boston amidst my hectic schedule. Thanks to my great friends, who treated me like a queen, I've had a great time and managed to explore a great deal of Boston in such a short time. It was my third time in Boston, but I believe I've never heard of Boston Harbor Islands before. There are a few of them that you can get to by taking the ferry, but we've stayed a few hours on the Georges Island, which is home to Fort Warren. We've roamed around the fort, watched some birds, walked the rocky beach, and even stumbled upon a few apple trees with delicious fruit.
Beautiful views of the ocean, the lighthouses, and the view of Boston from the harbor is magnificent.
[700x525]

"...In a universe of ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once, and never again, no matter how many lifetimes you live."

The Bridges of Madison County
Robert James Waller

A powerful novel about Love based on a true story.

"...nothing between human beings isn't uncomplicated and there's no way to speak of human beings without simplifying and misrepresenting them."

Joyce Carol Oates
"We were the Mulvaneys"

Here's something that's been bothering me for quite some time now. I am planning my trip to Russia this coming September, and I have to "transport" myself from Sheremetyevo airport to Domodedovo airport; I could take a taxi, and I am also aware that there is a shuttle that goes form one airport to the other every hhalf-hour or so. I'm not sure though if it's straight from the Sheremetyevo itself or you have to get somewhere else to catch that shuttle. Does anyone know the best way, that's safe and not too expensive, to get from Sheremetyevo to Domodedovo?

I went to Lake Placid and hiked up the Cascade Mountain for the 3d time, but this time I was climbing alone. I was wondering if it would be stupid of me to climb that steep ankle twister all by myself, just with a cellphone in my pocket. I had the greatest time at the top, viewing all the peaks and lakes around me and pondering over the silliness of our fears and inhibitions.
A few days later I've found out there was a nice Island Park within a few minutes of driving from my house, so I went there and discovered a nice wooded trail by the edge of the island, taking you all the way around...dams, waterfalls, deer, woodchucks, ducks, geese, snakes...serenity. I've spent 4 hours there, alone...walking, reading, enjoying the peacefullness. Then I went to the movies; once again...alone, for the first time. Needless to mention I've had a great time.
It's not that bad after all...to be alone. Never mind the occasional loneliness, that's a whole different story...

[460x341]

Just got back from the movies. I'm not exactly a big fan of musicals, but I enjoyed this one. I've seen the Broadway version past winter; it was a spontaneous and sceptical decision, but it didn't disappoint me then. I still can remember that feeling of invigoration after the show.
When I was 7 or so, I used to pull out my mom's dusty ABBA records and dance to those catchy tunes. I've forgotten all about them till about 2 decades later...my feet were moving to the same tunes of my childhood and I wanted to sing out loud.
The movie version came out at a time of my life when I wanted to bring back those simple emotions and worry-free state of mind of my childhood. I just wanted to feel happy and joyful...and that's exactly what I got, because all the way through the show all I wanted was to sing, dance and be merry. The woman sitting next to me was singing and dancing, and I so wanted to give her a hug - I've felt that weird connectedness, that nostalgie over the good times...Well, Meryl Streep surprised me once again with her acting and singing abilities, what can you say, she is on of the very best. Amanda Seyfried was amazing...she portrayed Sophie so well, I'm sure she'll get plenty of new movie offers now. And I've always been a fan of Christine Baranski(since "Cybill" and "Birdcage"), she simply cracks me up, such a character. Very disappointed with Pierce Brosnan though...ahhh.

If you'd like some eye-candy and a bit of distraction from this life's worries, it's the movie to see - light and enticing.
[420x623]

Это цитата сообщения Eclatie Оригинальное сообщение

Кокосовое печенье

Вот нашла один рецептик. Собираюсь сегодня сделать, по-моему, должно быть оч даже вкусно))



СОСТАВ
1 банка сгущенки
350гр кокосовой стружки
2 белка
щепотка соли
1плитка молочного шоколада для украшения



Сгущенку перемешать с кокосовой стружкой.
Охлажденные белки взбить с солью.
Ввести белки в молочно-кокосовую смесь осторожно вымешивая, в два приема.
Двух белков может быть много,масса должна быть такой консистенции, что бы было легко формировать печеньки.
Получившуюся массу уже можно есть. Но печь надо хотя бы ради того запаха, что идет по всей квартире.



На протвень положить пергаментную бумагу, ее ничем не смазывать.
Руками формировать шарики или овальчики и укладывать на бумагу.



Печь 30-40мин при темп 120гр.
Шоколад растопить, украсить печенюшки.
Из такого колличества ингредиентов получается большой противень очень вкусного и ароматного печенья.

Throuhghout life, the two most futile emotions are guilt for what HAS been done, and worry about what MIGHT be done.

Dr.Wayne W. Dyer

For the past weeks since the break-up, I've been slowly rediscovering myself. There's nothing better than getting in touch with what you truly are; you can look in the mirror and not turn away. I cannot stop reflecting, analyzing...I know what I am, I know who is dear to me and I know what I desire, nothing more, nothing less. Occasionally I get detoured on my path, but I realize that the road to yourself is not always linear...and every experience, positive or negative is necessary in order to continue the journey. I'm satisfied.

Today I took the last part of the 3 unit exam, required for the professional licensure in Dental Hygiene. I did pretty well on computer and clinical parts, hopefully passed this written one also. Today's exam was an 8 hr(8am till 5pm, with a lunch break) comprehensive examination that tested on the curriculum of the past 2 years of school. There was a ton of detailed information that we had to remember and be able to correlate to specific patient cases. It was tough, but not as stressful as the clinical one. Because for this one I could have actually studied, and I did study daily for 2 hrs for the past 2 months. Regardless of that, I still had to use my "educated guess skills" on a few questions. I'll be praying again...with the hopes of passing. Depending on the good outcome of this exam I'll be able to obtain a license, get a job and start practicing by beginning of October. God, please, you know how hard I've been working for this for quite a few years now. Thank you.

Это цитата сообщения Катю-шок Оригинальное сообщение

кошка-поводырь


[650x459]

I've been seriously thinking about signing up as an organ donor for quite a while now. It's not something people openly talk about, but everyone should consider. If, God forbid, you die relatively young and healthy, why not donate your organ(s) to someone who's got a huge desire to live, but needs a certain "part" to continue the journey. Why not?!
Something I have accidentally learned the other day shook my little world up, making me wonder about this ethical dilemma. It would not influence my decision in any way, but just made me wonder...

How would you feel if the recipient of your kidney and liver would be a 62 year old latent pedophile? This a real case, that I'm personally familiar with.

Well, we've had another litter of kittens. The mother cat was the last of our cats that didn't get spayed due to half-wild demeanor, we couldn't catch her, but she finally became somewhat "humanized", i.e., certain people can approach her and pet. Unfortunately that happend only after the belly appeared. She had the kittens outside, between the walls of the house and the porch. Don't ask me how she got there. I found them accidentally when one of them stuck his head through a little whole in the wall and was meowing. To get the kittens out we had to perform some porch demolition, but now they are safe in the house and seem to be happy.
I would love to find good caring homes for them, there are 2 males and 2 females. They will be weaned by mid-August. And their fur is 100% white, it really surprised me because the mother cat is dark. I've looked it up online, and the color is due to father's dominant gene and only 5% of all cats in the world are totally white.
[700x525]

Well, most certainly I'll be moving this coming fall. Not far, within the state and 50 miles from my current residence. So I've decided to research the moving companies and estimates. And that's where I saw the heading of this post. Ain't it ironic? Friends...I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather pay my hard-earned money to "professionals" rather than ask anyone to help out. Isn't it easier that way? Noone owes anything to anyone: Money-Service-Good Bye. And noone will tell you days, months, years, lives later that they've been used. Why is it so hard to do something good for another and let go of it? Too bad you cannot buy true companionship, because I would pay. At least that companionship would exclude the drama. Am I rough around the edges? Am I crazy? I might be, but unfortunately that's what I've come to so far.

Anyways, back to the subject...has anyone used a moving company before? Would you mind sharing your experience?