Tag: birthday

all about me, friends, school

it’s oh so quiet

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It seems like things are quiet on the internets… perhaps I am just tired from coming back to work after 4 wonderful days off? Who knows.

All I know, is that I was humbled by the amount of well wishes, and the AMAZING outpour of gifts that I got for my birthday. I got way more than I was expecting, and I appreciate all of it!!! Thanks to everyone who “hooked me up”!!

It’s funny, though, because now that I am the “dreaded” thirty, I don’t feel ANY different than I did 2 days ago when I was still 29. Eh, such is life.

In other news, I took the TEAS, which is the “entrance” test for application to the nursing program at Kennesaw, and I got an 83%. Considering that the average for other students in the program was at 68%, I feel pretty darn good about my score. I also got 15% over the national average for the test. Rockstar! I am glad that is out of the way; I REALLY hate standardized tests… especially when they are required. Now, my Kennesaw application is complete, and I am waiting on two letters of recommendation so that I can send in my GSU one. Fingers crossed people!!

I also had a bit of a revelation this morning; after some events that took place yesterday. I am going to work on putting up with less bullshit in the future. I have had many discussions with my therapist, as well as with other people, about problems that I experience with my own innate inability to let go of stuff that bothers me that other people do, because I usually don’t address it when it happens. I am going to start calling out bullshit, so that I don’t have to be the one to carry it around anymore. This really isn’t a big “oh shit, he’s gonna get mean” warning, but I guess it means a lot to say something like this publicly, in writing, that I am going to be more forward when I feel like I have had to put up with BS from anyone. Maybe something is different today… maybe 30 means that I will be a little more comfortable with myself by standing up for myself. Who knows… we shall see!

And finally… APPLE; release the goddamned new iPods already! I want a touch with more than 32GB… like NOW. Thanks in advance. Kisses and love.

all about me

waving goodbye to a decade

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Today, I wave goodbye to my twenties…

In my twenties, here’s just a few of the things that happened:

  • I came out.
  • I got two degrees.
  • I fell in love (a few times).
  • I got engaged (to the most recent, and most important love).
  • I bought a house.
  • I got a dog.
  • I got a real job, more than once.
  • I got lots of tattoos.
  • I fought depression.
  • I learned how to deal with my family; learning which ones to keep close (those that mean the most, who have always stood by me; like my cousin and grandma), and which ones I unfortunately have been forced to let go of.
  • I learned a lot more about what is really important in life.
  • I left the state I grew up in, and made a life somewhere else.
  • I made a lot of friends, many of which I know I will remain friends with for life.
  • I traveled to other parts of the world.
  • I went back to school… again.
  • I grew up.

Wow… it seems like I did a bunch of cool stuff in my twenties… but I am sure that my thirties are going to be jam packed with new adventures and “achievements” as well. I turn thirty tomorrow, so I can’t wait to see what this next decade has in store for me. As Captain Picard would say (nerd alert!)… set a course, number one… now, engage… thirties, here I come!

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update, I guess?

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It seems like I don’t have much to post about these days… or perhaps it is that I only have mundane things to post about? Either way, I feel like I could at least do a bulleted update list or something, to give y’all the 411 on what’s going on in the wonderful world of duane.

  • I have officially ran out of classes to take for my pre-requisites. I am taking Microbiology this fall, and after that, I just have to wait to get into a program. I am really anxious about getting into one right away, because I REALLY want to get moving on this nursing degree. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
  • Speaking of taking that one class, just getting the random holds off of my account at GPC was more than a headache that lasted from early June all the way through this week. Currently, things are okay, but it was REALLY frustrating to deal with… especially when you call the registration and administration services offices at any of their campuses, and all it does is ring five times before you get a voicemail. Is anyone working there? I mean, they have extended hours for crying out loud! Ugh, I am just glad I have things squared away with GPC.
  • I have officially applied to Kennesaw and Georgia State. I am awaiting my friendly “you got in, yay” packet, so that I can then apply to each one of their nursing programs. I REALLY want to get in and start taking the next steps to becoming a nurse. I am so freaking ready it isn’t even funny.
  • I mentioned a while back that I wanted a new lens for my birthday, but I ended up getting that before I went on my NYC trip. I have decided to wait a little while and see what Apple is going to do, but I have pretty much promised myself that I will be obtaining an iPod touch in the near future. I hope that they come out with one that has more than 32gb, and is cheaper than $500. It would be awesome to throw a camera on that thing too; because I think that the iPhone is awesome, and I would like to have everything BUT the phone. Hurry Apple! I’m anxious!
  • We are still loving the counter tops, sink, and new faucet. I literally walk into the kitchen every time, and cannot believe that it is my house. It was the last thing about our house that we wanted to desperately change, and it has been done… I love our house even more now!
  • Other than dealing with trying to get transcripts out, holds taken off of accounts, applications in, and other whatnot, I have been hanging out with friends and having a pretty good last few weeks. My mood seems to be in an upswing, and I am not complaining about that in the least. I just wish I could get rid of my extreme sensitivity to heat. I really feel like people think that I am making it up sometimes just for attention, which is far from the truth. The other night, we were at a cookout, and I had to leave really abruptly, or pass out. Seriously, I sat in the car for like 10 minutes with the AC on full blast just to keep my food down, and my self conscious. It was awful. I just wish that it didn’t bother me as bad as it does.
  • Lastly, I guess, Soul Calibur IV, while it may make me REALLY frustrated at times when the opponent is a seemingly perfect god of moves and penetrating skills, is an amazing game. They have improved over the Soul Calibur franchise considerably, and the graphics are nothing short of jaw droppingly beautiful. It is also a hoot to play as Yoda, because he says a bunch of his little catch phrases, and well, he’s just so damn cute! It’s a great game, and a must for any fighting game fan. The Xbox 360 continually impresses me with it’s graphical prowess.

Alright, that’s it for now. Back to life…

all about me, happenings, photography, shiny stuff

maybe it’s a sign?

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Well, I have had a pickle of a time with trying to apply to the accelerated RN program at Perimeter, which has gotten me thinking; MAYBE this is a sign. Maybe I should be just applying to a regular BSN accelerated program; and there are two who’s deadlines are months away. So… that’s what I think I am going to do.

The only thing is, that I will have to do it full time, so I will have to figure out some way to attract a magic money fairy in order to sustain my lifestyle. Shit, maybe I’ll just borrow more money; I ONLY have 40k in student loans right now… what’s 30k more? Either way, it may not be what I planned, but it was originally what I wanted to do, so maybe it’s for the best. Now… here’s hoping I can get in. Jeez… Stress!

Also, I am seriously lusting after this lens (actually using it at lunch DID NOT HELP). I know that I said “for my birthday”, but I really want it now (don’t we all want things right away when we want them?). I am thinking about getting it soon, because I am going to NYC in a couple of weeks, and it would be PERFECT for my trip. It is difficult to justify such a massive expense, but it is worth it, right? Why can’t I win the damn lottery already??!

Ah… the things in life we stress over, right? Oh yeah, and it’s damn hot out too! HA!

all about me, happenings, is it just me?, mixed media, photography, the catch-all-egory

music, money, games, etc.

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First off, as if Weezer weren’t cool enough already, they are doing this. I love the idea of a band getting together with musician fans, and playing their hits together. If I was better at the guitar, I would totally show up and jam with them. I guess I will have to settle for jamming on the Xbox, because they have songs on Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

James recently pointed out that I had very little tread left on one of my tires, and so I figured it was about time that I take it in get a new one (it has been 30k+ miles since I got my car after all). Well, turns out, I needed two, and after getting two tires, and having them aligned and balanced, my bill came out to $640 and some change. Holy fuck balls that is a lot of money. Jebus! It has also gotten to where it costs no less than $50 to fill my tank… life is expensive, and having a car seems to have become a very MAJOR expense!

In game news, I picked up Guitar Hero On Tour after a month or so of anticipation, and overall, I think that it is an innovative use of the DS. It is a bit awkward at first to play, and it would be nicer if the top screen (which becomes your left screen when turned to play) would bend back more. Other than that, I really don’t have many complaints!! I think that it is really cool that they made it for the DS, and I am looking forward to rocking out on the go. I am seriously a GH junkie; I can’t get enough.

I think that I have decided what I want for my birthday (or really splurge and get this one which I actually think I want more, now)… now to see if James will go for it… (or at least just help me pay for it… LOL)

On a final note, I think that I am addicted to the nachos at Raging Burrito in Decatur. I will be having them for dinner tonight, and I cannot wait. Yumsicle!

all about me, happenings, near and dear

twenty-nine

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So yeah… Today, I am 29.

29 years is a long time… and interestingly enough, most of it was spent in one form or another of school. Most of it was spent under the care of others, which led to confusion and frustration at this point in my life. Little of my life has been spent “on my own”, but at this point, I am really starting to have a real grasp for that concept… and it is starting to get better, with each step I take.

All of that aside, I see this as a step towards something better… I have heard that your thirties are the years when you really come in to your own, and I am certainly looking forward to them. I am looking forward to getting more school, another degree, and perhaps, a new career. I am doing just that, looking forward.

I am going to try and spend this year preparing for the next steps, all the while, trying to enjoy the moment. After all, enjoying the moment is something I have never been very good at, and is something that I am working on.

Here’s hoping that 29 is a good year for me.

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happy birthday, to you!

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the perfect manToday, I want to take a minute to post a special birthday post about someone who is extremely close to me; my man James. Today, he is 29 years old! He said that he felt he was getting old, but I just laughed, and told him that he was just getting better with age.

James and I have been together a little over 3 and 1/2 years, and I am so glad to have someone so special in my life. This week has been all about him, birthday week as we have been calling it, and I have been showering him with gifts and surprises for his big day.

Tonight, we plan on going our for Thai food (as he informed me of this morning), followed by he and I taking in a drive-in viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean (even though I would much rather see Knocked Up with that cutie Seth Rogen). Really, the whole goal is just to make him feel like his special day is all about him; and to let him know how much he really means to me.

I love you baby! Happy Birthday, James!