West Newsmagazine Article

Mom and I enjoying dinner in Madrid

Since I did not get a chance to write about my trip, I wanted to share this great cover story that does a nice job explaining about the trip:

West Newsmagazine article  (click on the cover page and then go to pg. 44-45)

I jumped into school just hours from returning from Europe and have been going ever since with classes, practicum and lots of activities...

Next up on speaking:  Opening for Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays with Morrie) in November!  Can't wait!

Today, I am grateful for life experiences, blessings, learning and challenges, and most of all: family, friends and God.

Love,
Rachel

New Friends

Lately, I've made some new friends-some of them under the age of 7 or so! I really think it's wonderful to make friends of all ages...there's never really a group of people that I do not feel like I fit into to as far as age goes. When I am on adult committees or when I used to review clinical trials on an IRB, people always worried that I felt 'young' or whatever. Nope.

I truly think there is much to be learned from people of all ages, cultures, types, etc. I/We can learn to see the world from others' perspectives and see what we do and don't want to incorporate into our own lives.

That's about it for now...posts may be a bit scarce the next couple weeks-I have time-consuming babysitting jobs (more than usual) lined up, a speaking engagement (in town) and a quick out of town trip Saturday and Sunday and full-time school, etc. Should be interesting...

Today, I am grateful for: many lovely things!

Rach

...On the Side of the Highway

Home, Safe, Home. Literally.

The 'mystery trip' that I made this week was for the Pain Community Advisory Committee for the American Pain Foundation-of which I was honored to be chosen to be a member a few months ago. We were in Tucson, AZ for the American Society of Pain Management Nursing conference.

I finally met most of the other members of the committee in person and learned some terrific stuff! The committee is made of amazing people who live with daily pain and are very empowering and do so much to help others in pain-I was honored to be in their presence for 3 days!

And, I could not forget to mention the beautiful, incredible scenery in Arizona. It was my first trip there and hopefully not my last. I felt very peaceful as I looked at the rolling mountains with the cacti peeping up all over them (hopefully I will post some pics soon).

Besides all of that, I had some excitement while trying to catch my flights home. I enjoyed the morning-manned APF's booth, snuck out to the lazy river and pool, had lunch and arrived at the check-out desk on schedule. The girl working was new and long story short, accidentally tried to charge my credit card for stuff I was not responsible for which in turn caused me to be 5 minutes late for the driver and ride I had arranged the day before. When I got outside, I asked the bellboy where the car was, showed him the paperwork, etc. He didn't see it and then called the service. Apparently, the driver had picked up someone else-thinking it was me. They said they'd get another driver out as soon as possible but couldn't make any guarantees (the resort was 20-25 min. from the airport).

Thankfully (or so I thought) a taxi pulled up and dropped off some people. He agreed to take me to the airport. We're driving along and as we are merging onto the highway, I thought- This highway is awfully bumpy and noisy. A minute later it clicked-we had a flat tire!

So, there I was-hanging out on the side of an Arizona highway with my luggage, a taxi driver and soon after-a highway patrolman on a motorcycle. Thankfully, I got picked up by another cab (a friend of my original driver who he had called) about 20 minutes later and got to the airport in time. I actually started laughing to myself as I stood on the shoulder of the highway thinking, this is what my friends mean when they always say-Whenever Rachel's around, it's always an adventure.

That's it for now-time for sleep.

Today, I am grateful: I got home safe, for a wonderful trip, for an amazing understanding husband, family, friends and God.

R

Little Things Make me Happy

Anyone who has known me for awhile, knows that I am lucky-not just medically-but whenever there's a drawing or something of the sort, there's a pretty good chance I'll win. It still kind of amazes me to this day how often this happens. Off the top of my head, some of the things I can remember winning have included: a riverboat day cruise for my 2nd grade class and time on TV, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a karaoke machine, posters, CDs, books, etc.

So, on Friday there was a meeting for the art department at my university and there was a ticketed drawing. I sat there not really knowing anyone and intently studying my little red ticket when it was called. I walked up and was delighted to receive a T-shirt and a tote bag. What made me smile about them though was they were donated by an art store that I worked at for 3 years. I have fond memories-they were fantastic about supporting me through my cancer experiences. I worked there after the 3rd time I was diagnosed and would work when I was not undergoing treatments. This was where I applied to work about a month after finding out my grim diagnosis and wanted to just live life and have a job like a 'normal person'. When I was interviewed, I definitely down-played my situation a ton. Thankfully, it all worked out.

So now I have a new t-shirt and a new tote from a place I was proud to work and still love going by and saying hi!

Today, I am grateful for: opportunities, a great weekend!, a fun week ahead (I'll tell you more probably on Thurs. or Friday when I get back but I'll still check in if you want to leave a comment-hint, hint!), family, friends, God and life!

Rach

Locked Up with a Dragonfly

While on my trip to Florida this week, the place we were staying was undergoing some renovations. During the nice dinner (with the salmon and yummy cake), I had to use the restroom. Well, the only one that you could use was out by the pool area.

It was a one person room that was rather let's say...like you would expect an outdoor pool restroom to be. I went in, realized another person was waiting behind me, locked the door, and then notice there is an ENORMOUS dragonfly buzzing crazily around the bathroom.

I was somewhat frightened-having heard that dragonflies sometimes sting or bite. I thought-that would really hurt. I've never seen one so huge. Option A: Run out of here like a crazy woman and go up to my room to use the facilities. Option B: Stick it out and pray for the best!

I swatted at it a few times as it nose-dived towards me and then I remembered this is a dragonfly, my personal symbol. I even had on my dragonfly ring! I said a little prayer, in hopes that the dragonfly would settle down while I did my business. And thankfully it did.

Then I washed my hands extra quickly and warned the lady behind me about it!

Maybe it was sign...I'm not sure what it meant. I'm just happy I got out of there safely ;)!

Have you had any crazy bathroom experiences and/or experiences with insects? Please share!

Today, I am grateful for a lovely day with a friend, a lovely evening with girlfriends last night, new families in the area to babysit for, for a relaxing weekend ahead, my husband, family, friends and GOD!

Rach

Quote Saturday...

If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages,

then maybe we can all learn from them.

When you think about it,

what other choice is there but to hope?

We have two options, medically and emotionally:

give up, or fight like hell.

~ Lance Armstrong

Don't forget to leave music suggestions from yesterday's post and thank you for the ones already there-so much!!

Today brings thankfulness for family, friends and God and a little road-trip!

Love,

R