Mom and I at Tsunami, Downtown Chas.
My "Tea Party" sign...(one of 'em)
US Custom's House, Downtown Chas.
Magnolia Plantation - the gardens were breathtaking.
Teri and I at J.Paulz a few Wednesday's ago.
So, I've pretty much by-passed the entire semester as far as "blogging" is concerned. I did have a small disclaimer in my very first post indicating my struggles with consistent blogging, etc. It proved to be true, but I'm back in business...for the moment anyhow.
Lots has happened since my last post, which was the announcement of Scot and Amanda's new arrival, Payton Grace. I finally met Payton last weekend for the first time, and she is awesome! She still has a full head of hair, but now it's curly! Madison and Isabella are great with her. Fantastic big sisters. I had a wonderful Easter weekend at Dad and Clarice's house in Columbia last weekend, and got to spend some much needed quality time with the girls. I was sad to see them go, and I miss them already. I also got to play with Elle a bit, though she wasn't feeling very well, just getting over a nasty bug that took a real toll on her!
Wednesday was the dreadful, painful, angering "tax day." I had gone the TurboTax route in advance and completed all taxes for the 3 different states I had resided in during 2008, along with federal. They burned a hole through my wallet, no doubt. I'm still recovering....and will be for a while! More importantly, however, tax day served as an opportunity for American citizens otherwise unimpressed with the performance of the late Bush administration and certainly the Obama administration, along with our inept Congress. Thus, "tea parties" were held throughout the nation in protest of obnoxious spending, bloated government, and other issues that became more personalized depending on who you talk to! (If you haven't heard about the Tea Party movement, like Barack Obama claims he was unaware of, you might be living under a rock. I suggest you come out now.) At any rate, I would be a total hypocrite if I didn't go to a Tea Party, since I am quite (and perhaps "too") vocal on the issue of politics and policy. I joined in on the crowd of around 6,000 as a total head count throughout the event, and enjoyed reading other people's signs and talking about all the individual concerns we had and likely shared. I know there will be more of these, and I know I'll go to others! I've included a few pictures from the Tea Party here in Charleston, SC...enjoy!
Michelle - what's next on the agenda, you ask? Well, since my loved ones have no problem letting me know how much I've moved lately, and that I'm moving again (as if I haven't noticed...), I'll give you the basic run-down. It looks as though I'll be moved and hopefully settled into Baltimore by the weekend of May 16th, which also happens to be my 24th birthday. For all who constantly ask how I am still single, I have no answer for you (but thanks for noticing, I think...). All I know is I have one more year of "prime" before my chromosomes and metabolism start exponentially working against me, and one more year until my car insurance goes down...YES!
I am very excited about the program....a re-cap, it's an Accelerated Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (ABSN) from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing....JHUSONABSN, respectively! The program starts June 1 and ends in mid July of 2010 before I start working again, largely for Uncle Sam, interest on deficit spending, and the non-working. (I'm not bitter, I promise!)
At any rate, this will be a tremendous learning experience that I am very excited for, despite the weird sense of pseudo-support that's been shown. I am often asked where I'll be after the program winds up in Baltimore, and I honestly have no answer. It depends entirely on the job market, life circumstance, and whether or not North Korea has knocked out our electrical grid. (Kidding.)
As for the present moment, Starbucks has slithered its way into my wallet and stole another few dollars, so I write this from the serene location at the corner of East Bay and Calhoun, surrounded by decadent coffee aromas, and a full belly from the scrumptious brownie I recently devoured. Lent is over, what can I say??
Lots and lots of studying to do the next week or so - wish me luck. I hope I can maintain the academic stamina to hang on to my A's. What on earth am I doing with A's in the sciences, anyhow?? Beats me...
So there's a briefing, and enjoy a few pictures added as well. I'll try and stop back in for another update sooner than the last time. *Crossing fingers*
Have an awesome day.
