travel is for relaxing.

slacker: "someone who puts off doing things to the last minute, and when the last minutes comes, decides it wasn't all that important anyways and forgets about it" -urban dictionary

saying that i have been a slacker in the month of october is kind of a major understatement. and i absolutely hate the excuse that i am about to use, but i have been really busy. i promise. i am a firm believer that if something is important to you, you can make time for it. and i have been wanting to make this space a priority since it is a way that i keep family and far away friends updated with my life. so i apologize for being a slacker, and am really going to make a conscious effort to do better.

so, to welcome myself back to the blogging world, i'm going to come back with a bang! and tell you all about my amazing vacation to the east coast with my dear friend grace. the trip was spectacular, here is a recap for you...enjoy.

wednesday:
after a very long work day for both of us, we boarded a red eye to boston massachusettes. we were planning on sleeping the entire flight, but quickly came to the realization that that was not going to happen. and it became a very long flight.


thursday:
we landed in boston on thursday morning and were ecstatic to be there! let me tell you, boston is gorgeous. we were greeted by some rain, but didn't mind, it was still stunning. we took the "t" [aka boston's subway, it is amazing how quick and efficient their public transportation was. la is way behind on the times] from the airport and to our hotel. praise the lord we were able to check in early! we freshened up and then went exploring! we walked around the city, and then headed over to cambridge to visit harvard university. we took a tour of harvard, it was actually really interesting and we learned so much! i am rethinking my university decisions... on our way back from cambridge we stopped at mass general hospital. it. was. stunning. probably one of the most beautiful hospitals i have ever been in. we went and spoke with nursing recruiters about the steps we would need to take if we wanted to relocate from california. everyone was so happy and helpful. grace and i are thinking a relocation is going to take place in early 2013. we both need a change. even if it just for a couple years.

after we left mass general, we went back to our hotel for a quick nap and then we met up with grace's older brother alex. we had a delicious dinner at a restaurant called stephanie's, and then went out for drinks with him and a few of his friends from boston. it was such a nice and chill evening. definitely what the vacation doctor had ordered.





[hello harvard university! in front of the beautiful harvard library.]










[with some pretty awesome westmores.]



friday:
the weather on friday was absolutely beautiful! we started the day off with a duck tour. it was so much fun! you take a tour of the city in this truck thing that turns into a boat! awesome i know. if you ever go to boston, i highly recommend this! after the duck tour we walked all around the city and were tourists! one of the tourist activities we partook in was drinking a sam adams while looking at sam adams' grave. it's ok, you can be jealous. we met up with alex later, and enjoyed another fun night with him!



[at the boston marathon finish line.]












[fell in love with this beautiful city.]

saturday:
we had to wake up nice and early to catch a train to new york city, we were definitely not ready to leave boston on saturday morning. the train ride was absolutely beautiful! and, it started snowing while we were on the train! yes, that's right, we were on the east coast for their first snow of the season. even though it was absolutely freezing, it was a pretty cool experience to say the least. when we got to new york it was like we were in the middle of a blizzard, it was ridiculous! there was snow/slush/water everywhere! and it was cold. really cold. we walked to the little cafe serendipity 3 for some hot chocolate and tea. the goodies were delicious, but the walk was freezing. we met up with grace's other brother garrett who is living in new york that night and watched the usc game at a usc bar in the city. it was such a fun night [even though they made me cheer for the trojans].

[on the train to NYC!]



sunday:
the weather on sunday was perfect; you would have never known that there had been a small blizzard the day before. sunday turned into a walking day...we were determined to see a ton of the city since we couldn't see a ton the day before. our hotel was only a few blocks from times square, so that was the first place we saw! it brought back a lot of memories from new years' eve 2008 from when i stood out there for 12 hours with devon, charissa, and steve. after times square we ended up walking over 4 miles to ground zero. i had been looking forward to seeing the 9/11 memorial ever since we planned this trip back in september. well, we get there; and guess what...you have to have tickets to get into the memorial. the tickets are free, but you have to get them online prior. to say that we were a teensy disappointed is just a little bit of an understatement. so now you all know, if you are going to NYC, and want to see the 9/11 memorial, get tickets beforehand. learn from our mistake people.

even though we were a bit bummed from the memorial, sunday night made up for it. why? you ask...because we got to go see mary poppins on broadway! the show was phenomenal. and we had bomb seats [thank you kind ticket booth man and our "coupon!].
after the show it was still somewhat early so we walked over to rockerfellar center. they were getting the ice ready; and just being there made you want to be in a holiday mood! NYC is such a magical place.














monday:
we woke up monday being a little sad, because we knew that our vacation was coming to an end; and we would have to be getting back to real life. but we were determined to make the most of our last day on the east coast. first order of business, running in central park! 6.1 miles of running to be exact. that's right, we ran around the. entire. park. boom. miss marathon runner grace was done is 2 seconds...it took me a little bit longer. after our run we went and got freshened up, checked out of our hotel, and spent the rest of the day doing some more sightseeing. we hit up levain bakery and consumed some amazing chocolate chip cookies. from there we went to the empire state building for one last touristy activity. the view from the top is spectacular. and it was a perfect way to end our amazing trip.



















[with our street food!]




[going home...]

absolutely amazing vacation!! looking forward to many more traveling excursions with this amazing lady.
happy monday everyone!

hump day.

five rings.

i absolutely love the olympics. i mean, not just kind of like because they come around every 2 years, but el oh vee ee them [sometimes i secretly wish i was good enough at a sport to be an olympian]. i cry during the opening ceremonies. i cry not only because they are beautiful, but because they represent the world coming together in peace; and that is something that i find moving. i plan my life around the olympic line up during those few short weeks. i lose sleep so i can watch the women's gymnastic finals.

i cried when carly patterson won the gold medal. even though i was only 8, the 1996 women's olympic team inspired me [come on, keri strug landing that vault one foot...how can that not bring tears to your eyes?!]. michael phelps is incredible, and how his mom watched every meet made me want to be a mom myself.

i have a bucket list, and one of the things near the top of the list is going to the olympic games. how incredible would that be? no, but seriously. how incredible would that be! i cannot tell you how badly i want to go to london 2012. i have started to research it. and it might be possible. granted, i would probably be able to watch more of the olympics if i was in the comfort of my own home, but even getting to see a couple of the events in person would be totally worth it. they have already had one round of ticket sales for the events, and they are having another one in december. you better believe that me and my visa card will be standing by.

so, thank you olympics. thank you for bringing an indescribable inspiration and joy to my life every 2 years. i can't wait to watch you in person [which will hopefully be in twenty twelve].














happy hump day everyone!

hump day.

simplicity.
sim·plic·i·ty
noun, plural -ties.
1.the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
2.freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts: an organism of great simplicity.
3.absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness: a life of simplicity.

lately, i have been trying to make changes. just little changes, to live a life of simplicity. my current project is going through my dresser/desk/closets and removing all of the 1. clothes i haven't worn in ages and those that don't fit me anymore and 2. to remove all of the stuff that i don't use anymore. this sounds like a really simple and somewhat quick project right? wrong. it has been taking me a lot longer than expected.
besides trying to get my life more organized, i have also been really trying to make life changes as well. first, i have been trying really hard to take my vitamins everyday. for the most part, i do really well. but sometimes, just sometimes, i forget. second, i am trying to get on a more regular sleep schedule. now, you may be laughing when you read this. i am chuckling as i write it. those who know me well, you know that work has turned me into a napping queen. well, i am trying to be better about taking naps, even when i am exhausted. i don't want to sleep my life away, and sometimes that's what i feel like i am doing.
i am not sure if i have ever really talked about it that much before, but i am a huge fan of reality television. go ahead, judge away. knock yourself out. but i love it. from the bachelor to the glee project, if it is reality, i am probably a fan. anyway, for a long time, i would always watch a tv show on my laptop as i would fall asleep. i am trying to kick this bad habit. that's what it is. a bad habit. beds are made for sleeping, not catching up on america's next top model. i am hoping that as i kick this habit, i may rest more peacefully and soundly.
these changes. these changes that i am trying to make, i am trying to improve myself. i am trying to make myself better.
i recently heard this quote, and loved it:

when you know better you must do better...
i know i can live my life better than i am living it now. i want to strive to live a simpler, and better life.

[vegas 2008. my 21st birthday//vegas 2011. amanda's 21st birthday]
[new york new york hotel]

let me tell you...

about new job #1.
so i don't know if you all remember, but i started a new job about a month ago. i got a job as a skills instructor at ucla center for prehospital care in the emt program. the job is pretty much what the title is, i teach emt students the various skills that they are going to be using out in the field when they are working. yesterday i finished my training and have been cleared to teach on my own. let me tell you, i am excited.
ever since i went to emt school at ucla in 2008, i have wanted to be an instructor there. those who taught me were so passionate about what they were teaching, and made such a huge impact on me. i was so ecstatic to finally finish school so i could come work at ucla.
some of the reasons why i am absolutely loving ucla:
1. the students are so excited to be learning. there is nothing more fun than teaching those who want to learn.
2. the students want to hear about my experience. it is kind of crazy to think that people want to hear about my experience going through nursing school and being an emt, and want to get my advice. who would have though that my journey might benefit others.
3. i am getting to work a second job with some simply awesome people from mccormick. there are 5 of us from my station that also teach at ucla, and it has been awesome getting to spend more time with them at another job.

teaching at ucla is such great experience and such an amazing opportunity. i am excited to grow and learn at this new job and look forward to where it is going to take me. go bruins!


[skyping with devon. she and her husband steve leave for india in 3 weeks!]

and now i am off to the beach! have a good tuesday everyone!

emergency room nurse.

when i graduated from nursing school, i knew what i wanted to do. i wanted to work in the emergency room. i wanted to serve the uninsured and underinsured people of los angeles particularly those of south central. this population is sick. they need good patient care, education, and someone to care about them. i wanted to be a person to help meet this need. when i graduated, my dream was to work at harbor ucla. harbor is a county facility and serves the population that i wanted to work with.
over the last 2 1/2 years of working in inglewood, i have taken the majority of my patients to the hospital in the middle of inglewood, centinela hospital medical center. i had always said that i didn't want to apply there, because i wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone. i wanted a change. and i didn't see much of a change working 1 mile away from my current station.
but then i started thinking. and praying. and talking to people inparticularly detoy. yes, i wanted to work at harbor. but how long would that application process take? and what if i didn't get a job? meanwhile, i have the nurses and friends at centinela pestering me like no tomorrow to apply, and that they would put in a good word for me.
so, during one of my shifts near the end of june, whether or not i should put in my application to centinela was all that detoy and i talked about. for 24 hours he was such a good friend that day. i sent him a text the next day thanking him for his advice, and he replied saying:

"you deserve to use your skills and knowledge to help others and right now you are limited. its not your dream but you'd be able to make a difference."
to tell you the truth, i think that text message was the thing that really convinced me, and so i submitted my application to centinela 4 days later.

i had an interview on friday, and was offered a position in the emergency room.
the hospital isn't magnet. it isn't in a nice city. it doesn't have brand new equipment. but i will be able to make a difference. all of my reasons for wanting to work at harbor apply to working at centinela. i get to serve incredibly sick patients. i get to serve incredibly undereducated patients. i get to be incredibly busy. i get to gain a ton of experience. and i am already really familiar with the population.
was this my dream when i graduated from school? no. definitely not. but slowly, it is becoming my dream. but most importantly, i know that i am going to be able to make a difference there. and for that reason, i couldn't be more excited.

DIY: patio makeover.

i love "home makeovers" [yeah, i will call them that]. even when i was a kid, you can ask my mom, i would rearrange the furniture inside my room every other week. i loved the freshness and newness of a room that had just been redone. i absolutely cannot wait until i buy a house one day and get to paint and decorate and fix it up however i want. eeeekkkk, i get giddy just thinking about it.
anyway, for the meantime, it has been so much fun decorating and fixing up the house that kara and i moved into about 2 months ago. two sundays ago, we revamped our patio. we got some plants and candles/lanterns from ikea, some string lights from target, and a new mini bbq! it makes the patio so much more inviting, and we have definitely been spending a lot more time outside :]