I am experiencing blogging withdrawal...

Uverse is coming by our new house sometime between morning and night  tomorrow to set up cable/internet at our new house!! Trust me, I have lots and lots to catch up on including the latest What I'm Eating, Chow Down Midtown, What I'm Cooking and of course, pictures of the new house.  Once I have access to the WWW, you bet your butt, I'm getting my blog on! 

Oh, and along with Uverse, I have to wait for an HVAC company to come take a look at our broken AC! Starting off rocky but I'm confident we're going to shine through in the end!!

2 Weeks M.I.A. means lots to catch up on

The past 2 weeks have been insanely jam-packed with work related stuff.  With my new position came new education and responsibility.  Luckily, I passed my classes and got certification.  I'll still be orienting for the next 3 weeks but there's a lot of weight off of my shoulders. 

Also in that 2 week time period, I continued to fall off the many wagons I had been riding lately: a couple puffs of a cigarette (bad! bad! bad!); uninspired and unhealthy meals; frivalous spending.  But this is what I do when my stress levels reach the brim.  I already feel a sense of lightness and an eagerness to get back on. 

Tis the season for rain, rain and more rain.  Thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding.  Earlier this week, Indiana had, a confirmed, 14 tornadoes touch down throughout the state.  D and I stood in our doorway as the storm eerily rolled in from the West.  A storm is currently making its way in from Illinois, anticipated to hit around 2 pm and the rain will continue through the next 7 days.  Miss B is growing restless.

My mother and I made our first attempt to paint wine glasses over the weekend.  That was an epic fail, as we were derailed by our desire to go purse shopping first and then buying the wrong paint.  By the time we got home and realized our mistake, it was too late to try again.  Since then, my mom has gone back and bought more and I look forward to us continuing where we left off. 

Like I said earlier, I've been uninspired in the kitchen.  Not having much in the fridge also contributed to that.  I plan on going grocery shopping on Sunday to restock and get inspiration.  Not sure what I want to make yet so suggestions are always welcomed.  Tonight I am trying my hand in making chicken and noodles atop mashed potatoes. 

Indiana's Super Improvements for the Super Bowl

via

The state of Indiana is gearing up to host the Super Bowl in February and communities, businesses, volunteer groups, and civic organizations are going above and beyond to ensure its residents and the expected 100,000 visitors have the best experience. When most of us think of the Super Bowl, we picture a sunny, setting in places like Miami or New Orleans, with events leading up to the big game.  Most aren't expecting an artic tundra with ice, snow and sleet. 

Even though there is a current player lock-out that is potentially delaying the start of the upcoming season, Indiana is still going full steam ahead with planning.  We can more easily predict that the NFLPA and NFL will come to an agreement than what type of weather will be looming over the city the first week of February.  Luckily the city and the surrounding areas are taking measures to not only improve the way people get around our city but also minimize their need to brave the elements.  There is a major project connecting the Indiana Convention Center with other buildings and Lucas Oil.  People will be able to still indoors through various tunnels and passage ways.

Many others are focusing on the aesthetics of our beautiful city.  Indianapolis has been a transitional   up-and-coming city for several years now.  I've certainly noticed the improvement in downtown and the many historical areas but there are still many eye sores that remain.  As part of the Super Bowl Legacy Housing Project, MIBOR (Metropolitan Board of Realtors) has raised a half a million dollars to help restore properties and less-than-pleasurable buildings plaguing the city.  Click here for the whole story.  The overall goal is to improve anywhere from 100-200 of these homes.


Other local businesses and business proposals have emerged as Indy braces for a major economic boom!  I currently live downtown and enjoy walking around to admire all the beautiful homes around our area.  I have never felt more pride in the progress our wonderful city is making.  Not there yet, but making huge strides!! 

What improvements have you noticed throughout the city??

Check out the following sites to get updates about the 2012 Super Bowl:

• www.our2012sb.com/
• www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/
• www.indy2012.com/

(International) News I Love: Rescuers Brave the Radioactive Elements to Rescue Japan's Abandoned Pets

Source

As the smoke is clearing around the tragedy and chaos of Japan, the country's other victims are starting to emerge.  As humans fled their houses, many beloved pets were left to fend for themselves.  Many perished but those who survived the initial earthquake and tsunami are now suffering another wave of devastation: they are starving!!  Thanks to a few heroic people that are entering the danger zone around Fukushima to round up the wandering animals and reunite them with their owners, if they can be found.  Many are scared  traumatized and haven't had a decent meal since before the earthquake.  To read the full story and the details of the organizations that are trying to help, go to CNN.

Also, go to http://www.facebook.com/AnimalRescueJapan to see what you can do to help!!

First Day of Orientation! Easy, breezy!

I am starting a new role in the health care industry and I couldn't be more excited about it!  Now, I'll be working closer to the patients (not direct patient care) but enough to play a major role in their experience and helping to facilitate their care.  Although, my journey into adulthood started in the fashion and retail industry, I don't regret my decision one bit to start over completely.  Goodbye 5-day work weeks; HELLO three-12s.  I can't wait to be able to get things done on my 4 days off (i.e. laundry, house work, errands) and then taking time to enjoy ME!!  And the cherry on top is the uniform: SCRUBS!! Who doesn't wish they could roll into work in pjs?
Today was short and simple.  I am working at the same place as my previous position so a lot of what we went through was company policy and basic procedure.  I can't wait to get into the nitty-gritty stuff, the simulations and of course, up on the unit.  I still have 6 more intensive days to go so I probably won't be much in the blogging mood especially after spending 8 hours staring at a computer and powerpoint presentations. 

Upcoming Events: Paws in the City

via

To all my ladies (and gents) looking for a wonderful night out with sophistication, fun AND a love of animals, Paws in the City, is just what you're looking for.  It takes place on April 28th from 6pm-9pm at Tavern on South in downtown Indianapolis and there's only a $10 cover.  It is being hosted by Paws and Think, an organization that serves the needs of at-risk youths and canines as well as children and adults with special needs.  All around, just a wonderful organization. There will be oer d'heurves, cocktails, a silent auction and a fashion show.  For more information, visit their page for the details.

Hoosiers Headlines and Hangups

INDIANA PACERS

Granger
via Indystar

 [BAND WAGON ALERT!!!]...
...Congratulations to the Indiana Pacers for clinching a spot in the NBA Playoffs!  It is the first time they have made it past the regular season since 2006!!  I am excited though because, as I've mentioned before, I used to play basketball and enjoyed it very much.  I also used to be a major Pacers fan even before we moved back to Indiana in '99.  But in recent seasons they have been unimpressive and with embarrassing antics, both on and off the court.  I am definitely a bandwagon/fair-weather fan nowadays but I'm not the only one, see here.  It seems like the group of players we have now, although young, have a good head on their shoulders and have the motivation to get work done. 

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Victory Field via

Tonight is the season opener for the Indianapolis Indians.  This is a sure fire indication that Spring is in full swing and Summer is just around the corner.  I've been to a handful of Indians games and always enjoy myself.  I especially love their $1 nights where selected concessions are deeply discounted.  This is a great opportunity for families with kids to have a fun and entertaining night out as well as individuals on a budget (like me!).  They kick off their season in a 4-game series against the Columbus Clippers complete with Fireworks, a complimentary schedule magnet (first 2500 people), and a $15 Value Pack (entry, hot dog, unlimited soda refills, and a free souvenir).

Smoking Ban Proposal in Indiana: Denied

Yesterday, state legislators squashed the smoking ban bill that was recently put on their plate.  This was the fifth time a smoking ban has been proposed in Indiana (see full story) .  It doesn't eliminate smoking from all public places including casinos, bars and many private businesses.  Sounds like a pretty weak attempt anyways.  The biggest argument, I think, would be allowing smoking in bars.  I am a former smoker (with occasional slip ups) and I would completely support a ban of smoking in bars/restaurants.  I've been to other cities here in Indiana, like Bloomington, that have banned smoking in their bars (as well as bigger cities like Chicago and LA) and never felt like having to go outside was an inconvenience, even in the dead of winter.  Not only did I smoke less, I also didn't smell as much like a rotten ashtray when the night was over.  Now that I've quit, I notice how awful smokers smell and it is downright repulsive.  I definitely think Indiana needs to reform the laws on smoking but it needs to be tighter and more restrictive.



DIRTY, ROTTEN SCOUNDREL

Tim Durham, outside courthouse
Indystar

On Wednesday, Tim Durham (Indiana's own Bernie Madoff), was ordered by a judge to spend the next 7 days at a halfway house (Volunteers of America) in downtown Indianapolis.  This is the former money manager that is accused of bilking investors, even friends, out of  200 mil dollars in an elaborate ponzi scheme masterminded through his company, now defunct, Fair Finance.  This is becoming a rags-to-riches-to-rags story and I'm sure those who he duped would love to get their hands on him.  The halfway house will be a far cry from what he is accustomed to.  Durham is a guy of which the word "modest" doesn't fit into his vocabulary or lifestyle.  His life, for many years, has been extravagant, opulent, boisterous: He owns massive estates in Geist and Los Angeles and many top-of-the-line luxury cars.  He hosted "Playboy" parties that were highly publicized.  He appeared in a multi-page spread in Indianapolis Monthly where he tried to play up his humble beginnings.  He lived a Hollywood dream lifestyle while jetting back and forth on private planes between Indiana and the West Coast.  But now, in his dust, people/friends/whole families are devastated by his greed and corruption.  I babysat for a family who lost thousands to his company.  How he can sleep at night (resting on 5000-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, no doubt) is beyond me.  I just hope that those left in the Fair Finance aftermath can see a light at the end of the tunnel and pick up the pieces. 



Crossing my fingers and taking a leap of faith

I have been "blogging" off and on for almost a year now but it has only served as a private, online journal.  I've decided to move into a public forum.  Who knows if anyone will ever read this besides me but I don't really care.  I'm challenging myself to expand my horizons, gain inspiration from others and expose others to everything I love; maybe a few things I don't. 

This past year has been one of the most transformational times of my life.  It was truly like shedding of a cocoon and stretching my wings for the first time.  I've put away my childish ways and embraced the wonderful gifts that I have been given.  I might copy some previous posts from my private blog to save time and get this one up to speed.