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You are Dean.
You pretend like nothing is more important to you than your awesome car and collection of Metallica tapes, but your family will always come first. Your unusual childhood forced you to grow-up faster than most kids, so you are used to handling responsibility. Nothing makes you happier than being on the open road and hunting things that go bump in the night.
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When Oz asked me to edit his Pathfinder Playtesting notes for him before he submitted them, I happily agreed. (Might as well put that English degree to use!)
I love Oz dearly. I really do but he seems to love whole paragraph sentences. I think I'm going cross-eyed. *grin*
Of course, he's nothing compared to the huge medical journals that I've edited. Dr.'s seem to like whole PAGE sentences. Heh.
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Zzzzz
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Nov. 20th, 2008 @ 02:22 pm
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Someone please poke me in the eye. I'm frickin' bored out of my mind today.
I needs entertainment!
*sigh*Current Mood:  bored Current Music: No More Love - God Lives Underwater |
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Hi all! I've been working on a website to host various photos and while it is still under construction, it is completed enough to unveil it.
http://thebrillfamily.shutterfly.com/
I also have it set up so that people should be able to add their own pictures as well but you'll have to actually make yourself a member to do that.
-ToniCurrent Mood:  accomplished Current Music: Problem Girl - Rob Thomas |
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Suxz0r
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Oct. 22nd, 2008 @ 09:54 am
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NOTE: Flu shots suck. :PCurrent Mood:  chipper Current Music: Frgt/10 (Alchemist ft. Chali 2na) - Linkin Park |
| » My thoughts on the Pathfinder Society Game so far. |
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I played the first 4 Pathfinder Society Games at Gen Con this year. Now, while I had tons of fun, overall, the mods themselves were very simple and the faction missions downright lame. Now, being the start of a campaign, I can understand having simple modules to get people into/used to a new world. However, to keep people's interest it can't be the norm for long. This concerns me because of the way their module submission process works. My understanding is that the mods are named with the premises in tact and you have to send them your outline for their bullet points for approval to write it. While this will give them tight control on the plots, it will also limit creativity and complexity. My opinion is to meet somewhere in the middle. Allow people to put forth module ideas that are not already pretty much spelled out but also have the bulleted modules if you'd like.
As to the factions, I do understand that to most people party conflict is a no-no. But as things stand now, what is the point of the missions if they aren't difficult, more then one person isn't looking for the same thing, or you don't have to really convince your party members to go along with you or...SOMETHING. Honestly, I think a little party conflict is good and I LOVE what Arcanis does with their secret missions. Pathfinder should take a page from them, in my opinion. Of course, so far, Arcanis is quite a bit more grittier then Pathfinder Society is and it could just be a flavor issue.
I'm going to be playing the next 2 pathfinder society modules this weekend at DCV (#5 & 6) so we'll have to see how they end up. Joe C. has already played them and he has told me that so far he has been unimpressed. This makes me sad. :(
I have some high hopes for this campaign and great trust in the people that run it, so I'm hoping that some of this is just growing pains. :)
On a side note, we just started up a campaign using the rise of the runelords and so far it is GREAT. Nothing like the pathfinder society modules other then the world. I'm very excited to continue to play these!
Oct. 21st, 2008 @ 10:42 am
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| » Education Continued Part 2... :D |
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Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the advice/suggestions/etc. that I've received here, in email, and IM. I've already started looking into a Masters of Liberal Studies here at UMD. That being said, I am still going to pursue the graphics art thing by taking a class here or there either after I'm finished with the Masters or as I go (depending on how hard the workload is for said Masters.)
Part of the reason I want to do the graphics art/website design thing is that I'm currently doing it right now. I've pretty much taught myself how to do a hack job using various programs (and I'm quite happy to have adobe professional pack at home) and I KNOW there are likely easier ways of doing these sites then I'm doing right now. I enjoy doing website much more then I thought I would as it is both creative and challenging. I've done about 10 different medical school sites for teaching/public/private, etc. and just recently I've completed about 12 banner ads for a private company as well as a freeze frame TV commercial. (One of those "Brought to you by..." type TV ads.) Additionally, my current job is thinking they would like me to take over the financial aid website for the University and redesign it. I told them that I was absolutely willing to do this but that I'm a little slower then a 'professional' because I'm self taught. They said they don't mind.
Now while I do enjoy designing websites, part of me is frustrated that I can't do it more efficiently. This is also driving my desire to take graphic design classes. But, I think at this point I'll plod along, doing what I can with sites until I'm finished with the Masters. I knew, deep down, that it is the route that I should go but a part of me doesn't want to. I don't know that the Masters will be 'fun work' like I believe the graphic design degree would be. :)
Hopefully the Masters of Liberal Arts program will return my call today and I can get the ball rolling on that! I am also going to contact the College of Liberal Arts to see how feasible it is to take a few of those art classes now.
Sep. 22nd, 2008 @ 10:03 am
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| » My continuing education... |
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One of the major benefits to working at a state University is that all my schooling is paid for. I have been mulling over how to best take advantage of this - do I want to go and get my Masters or to get a second undergraduate degree? The Masters will help me get a better/higher paying job or at least a raise at my current job. The undergraduate degree would be in graphic arts with a focus on website design, etc., would much more fun but because it is nothing like English I would pretty much have to start over. Of course, this type of job also tends to pay better, even in this area.
I am torn. Anyone have an opinion?
Sep. 15th, 2008 @ 01:47 pm
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| » I am the D20! |
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Take the quiz at dicepool.com
You are the large, round, friendly d20! (You probably didn't know this, but the shape of the twenty-sided die is called an Icosahedron.) You are the friendly, outgoing, outspoken, leader of friends. You are often looked up to, even though you don't normally deserve it. Most other types secretly wish they were you, and you'd give them tips on how, if only you had a clue yourself. Your charisma is often all you need, but you have your occasional moments of brilliance as well--just never when it's actually needed. You are the all-around good guy, a dependable chum, a respectable foe, and an inspiration to those who need one. Who says you can't get by on a smile and good looks alone?
Aug. 25th, 2008 @ 07:53 am
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| » Lo and behold! |
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So, I'm posting today from my newly installed internet. Yay! I've finally moved into the 21st century. Of course, I had to because of my new jobs but it is still nice. Even better part is I'm only paying 1/2 of it. ;)
It has been a terribly long time since I last wrote in LJ. Things have been very crazy lately including leaving the medical school, working at a cosmetology school where I ended up getting fired because I would not do some illegal things with financial aid moneys, to getting a job 3 days a week back at UMD as an admissions and financial aid counselor and the other 2 days as a business manager/VP for a DVI converter box company. The job at Digital Rising will ramp up as the company gets on its feet more as it is just starting but, money is a good thing. I am currently supposed to be working on our TV ad spot but I am waiting for some images to be emailed to me and they haven't been yet. That kinda puts a hold on my going any farther right now.
Like I said, things have been hectic. Sam was having ear issues again in her right ear. She'd be on antibodics and get better but as soon as she was off of them, they infection would come raging back. Turns out, she had an infection in the BONE of her ear. Ugh. She had to be on a regiment of steroids and antibodics but it appears to have cleared up. However, I am very paranoid whenever she even touches her ears now. The specialist has decided to leave in her permanent tubes in until 2010 (or until she is 4 years old) because of this. At that point, we'll have to make another appointment to have them surgically removed.
Sammi also just celebrated her 2nd birthday and that was a strange experience all around for me. Not only do I have to deal with the fact that my baby is now 2 and not really a tiny baby anymore but I had to figure out how to plan a party for someone that young. It isn't like she'd going to really appreciate Dora or someone coming to see her at this age. So, what we did was we went to the Zoo. We had a small group - Steve, (Rick's brother) his wife Becky and their 2 kids, Jake and Ella, Rick's mom Jann, my mom and stepdad, my niece Carlie, and Jess & Dustin and Isabella and Gavin (who doesn't count, he's 2 months old). Samantha had never been to the zoo and I thought her head was gonna pop off she got sooooo excited. She would just bounce up and down to see the animals and then she would make the appropriate animal noise at whoever we were seeing. heh. She growled at the bears, Oooh'd at the monkeys, hissed at the snakes, and said 'cockadoo' at the phesants. (Close enough!) We arrived at the zoo about 10 and left at about 1. The kids were getting tired but no naps today! Everyone but Steve, Becky and their kids went back to our house (they had another party to go to), joined by Beth and her two kids, Thane and Reese, for cake and ice cream and to open presents. After that was taken care of, I set up the little kid pool in the backyard and the sprinkler and let them run wild. We BBQ'd for lunch/dinner and over all had a grand old time.
This weekend we are going camping at Jeremy's cabin with his family and Todd & Karen. I'm really looking forward to it, I think it'll be a blast. I should pack here soon.
After that, we get a week break and then it is off to GenCon. Weekend after that, it is a wedding, etc. I don't think we have another weekend break until the middle of Sept. or something like that. That's alright though, it keeps thing interesting though it is preventing us from getting someone out here to rip out our windows to replace them. Soon!
This afternoon (if it doesn't rain, which I'm wondering about) Sammi and I are supposed to be meeting Jess, Lexi, Isabella, and Gavin for a trip to the beach. I am about half-way packed up for that. Damn, I'm too busy for my own good.
So, that's brief update to my life.
Jul. 31st, 2008 @ 10:54 am
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| » Geeks ahoy! |
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Jul. 28th, 2008 @ 07:58 am
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| » Twilight |
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Your exact moment of the day is always changing, because the sun never sets at exactly the same time. You are the romantic moments just after sunset when it's still light enough to see your way around outside, and the sky is a blend of reds, pinks, purples, and blues. At this time of day, the light has a special way of making even rundown buildings looks like works of art. You're like that, too – you're always finding beauty and magic in unexpected places. Not only will you wish on the first star you see, somewhere inside, you actually expect that wish to come true.
Feb. 5th, 2008 @ 09:29 am
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| » You forgot I was a ninja... |
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Once again, I am crazy busy girl. You'd think I'd learn but no......
Anyway, Sammi has another Dr. appointment today with the ENT. She started getting ear infections again suddenly and when I took her in it turns out that the tube in her right ear had fallen out. GAH. This means, that not only has she been getting infections in there again but that she is going to have to have the little surgery to put the tube BACK in her ear again. My poor little monkey. :(
I am currently working on writing a module with Mr. Jeremy and two special missions for Living Greyhawk. And, of course they all should be worked on sooner rather then later. What I think I'm going to do is write during my lunch or something and see what that gets me. I have some cool ideas but it is just the effort of putting pen to paper. Once I get started, I'm rockin'.
Origins pre-reg is up and running already. Rick and I should take care of that soon as well as start arranging for a babysitter. We've also been tossing the idea around of going to MegaCon in Florida in March for Blackmoor. Oz, Brandon, and Shayne have already gotten their tickets. Unfortunately, some of our fire for Blackmoor has died as the mods overall (with a few acceptions) have been TERRIBLE. The only reason that I'm really even considering spending that money is a) I don't get out much. ;) and b) they are having the Bow of Hadeen series finale and interactive there. THOSE are fantastic mods and concepts.
I'm thinking about trying to get people together this Sat. night so that I can run So Shall Ye Reap a Living Arcanis mod for 1st level characters. I have enough other junk to do and I'm not sure I really feel like gaming at the moment. ;) The horror!
Work is going ok, though busy. :)
I miss everyone!
Jan. 3rd, 2008 @ 08:56 am
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| » The End |
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Took from me all that I had
With my soul and spirit dead
Killing everything in me
What is one use to be free
Now to drive away the pain
I'll destroy all I distain
I'll become what I despise
Living someone elses life
Don't ever back down -
Don't ever back down
Don't ever turn around
My end has come
So now I come for you.
Now obsession rules my mind
This commotion makes me blind
Searching out whoever runs
Or has stolen away my life.
But I've already said
Don't ever back down
Don't ever turn around
My end has come
So I come for you
Ahhhhhhh....
You trip on everything
I'll take your tired breath
I can't feel anything
I live to see you to your death
A new heart with me
As might be just as quick
Through your tortured expense
Cuz I'll never back down
Don't ever back down
Don't ever turn around
My end has come
So now I come for you
Don't ever back down -
I'll drive you down
I'll beat you to the ground
My end has come
So now I come for you.
- Ben Moody
The song sounds grim but I'm in a mood and it is a good one. :) *bounce*
Jan. 2nd, 2008 @ 09:16 am
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| » That time of the year.... |
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Stupid cold season.
I am all sick and medicine-heady now. AND I noticed that Samantha's nose this morning was trying to keep up with mine.
Bleh.
Dec. 13th, 2007 @ 11:05 am
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| » I haven't done one of these in a while. |
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[ ] I am shorter than 5'4.
[ ] I think I'm ugly, even sometimes.
[x] I have many scars.
[ ] I tan easily.
[ ] I wish my hair was a different color.
[ ] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
[ ] I have a tattoo.
[ ] I am self-conscious about my appearance.
[ ] I have/I've had braces.
[x] I wear glasses. (for everything more than 6 inches from my face)
[ ] I would get plastic surgery if it were 100 safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
[x] I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
[x] I have more than 2 piercings.
[ ] I have piercings in places besides my ears.
[ ] I have freckles.
Family/Home Life:
[x] I've sworn at my parents.
[x] I've run away from home.
[ ] I've been kicked out of the house.
[ ] My biological parents are together.
[ ] I have a sibling less than one year old.
[x] I want to have kids someday. (Currently do)
School/Work
[ ] I'm in school.
[x] I have a job.
[x] I've fallen asleep at work/school.
[ ] I almost always do my homework.
[x] I've missed a week or more of school.
[x] I failed more than 1 class in a year.
[ ] I've stolen something from my job
[x] I've been fired. (laid off isn't the same thing, right?)
[x] I've skipped school.
Embarrassment
[ ] I've slipped out a "lol" in a spoken conversation.
[ ] Disney movies still make me cry. (Whats wrong with crying any way? Huh?)
[x] I've snorted while laughing.
[x] I've laughed so hard I've cried.
[x] I've glued my hand to something.
[x] I've had my pants rip in public
Health
[x] I was born with a disease/impairment.
[x] I've gotten stitches.
[ ] I've broken a bone.
[x] I've had my tonsils removed.
[x] I've sat in a doctors office with a friend.
[ ] I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
[x] I had a serious surgery.
[ ] I've had chicken pox.
Traveling
[x] I've been on a plane.
[ ] I've been to Canada.
[ ] I've been to Mexico.
[ ] I've been to Niagara Falls.
[x] I've been to Europe.
Experiences
[x] I've gotten lost in my city.
[x] I've seen a shooting star.
[x] I've wished on a star.
[x] I've seen a meteor shower.
[x] I've gone out in public in my pajamas.
[x] I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
[x] I've kicked a guy where it hurts.
[x] I've been to a casino.
[ ] I've been skydiving.
[ ] I've gone skinny dipping.
[x] I've played spin the bottle.
[ ] I've drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
[ ] I've crashed a car.
[x] I've been Skiing.
[x] I've been in a play.
[x] I've met someone in person from the internet.
[x] I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
[x] I've seen the Northern Lights.
[x] I've sat on a roof top at night.
[x] I've played a prank on someone.
[x] I've ridden in a taxi.
[x] I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
[x] I've eaten Sushi.
Relationships
[ ] I'm single.
[ ] I'm in a relationship.
[ ] I'm engaged.
[x] I'm married.
[x] I've had someone cheat on me.
[x] I've gone on a blind date.
[x] I miss someone right now.
[ ] I have a fear of commitment.
[ ] I have a fear of abandonment.
[ ] I've cheated in a relationship.
[ ] I've gotten divorced.
[x] I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
[ ] I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
[ ] I've told someone I didn't love them when I did.
[x] I've kept something from a past relationship.
Sexuality
[ ] I've had a crush on someone of the same sex.
[x] I've had a crush on a teacher.
[x] I am a cuddler.
[x] I love to flirt.
[x] I've been kissed in the rain.
[x] I've hugged a stranger.
[ ] I have kissed a stranger.
Honesty/Crime
[x] I am a terrible liar.
[x] I've done something I promised someone else I wouldn't.
[x] I've done something I promised myself I wouldn't.
[x] I've snuck out of my house.
[x] I have lied to my parents about where I am.
[ ] I am keeping a secret from the world.
[x] I've cheated while playing a game.
[x] I've cheated on a test.
[x] I've been suspended from school.
[ ] I've witnessed a crime.
[x] I've been in a fist fight.
[ ] I've been arrested.
[ ] I've shoplifted.
Materialism
[x] I own over 5 rap CDs.
[x] I own an iPod or MP3 player.
[ ] I have an unhealthy obsession with anime/manga.
[ ] I own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 a piece.
[x] I own something from Hot Topic.
[x] I own something from Pac Sun.
[ ] I collect comic books.
[x] I own something from The Gap.
[x] I own something I got on e-bay.
[ ] I own something from Abercrombie.
Political/Social Attitudes
[ ] In general, I don't like people.
[x] I'm a feminist.
[x] I'm very outgoing.
[x] I don't like Bush
[x] I don't like Bush with my own reasons to back it up.
[ ] I am for Bush.
[ ] I'm religious.
Random
[ ] I can sing well.
[x] I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
[ ] I open up to others easily.
[x] I watch the news.
[x] I curse regularly.
[x] I sing in the shower.
[ ] I am a morning person.
[x] I'm a snob about grammar.
[x] I am a sports fanatic.
[x] I twirl my hair
[ ] I have "x"s in my screen name.
[ ] I love being neat.
[X] I've copied more than 30 CD's in a day
[ ] I bake well.
[ ] I would wear pajamas to school.
[ ] I like Martha Stewart.
[ ] I know how to shoot a gun.
[ ] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
[X] I laugh at my own jokes.
[x] I eat fast food weekly.
[ ] I believe in ghosts.
[ ] I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
[X] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[X] I am really ticklish.
[x] I love white chocolate.
[x] I bite my nails.
[x] I play video games.
[x] I'm good at remembering faces.
[ ] I'm good at remembering names
[ ] I'm good at remembering dates.
[x] I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Dec. 6th, 2007 @ 04:10 pm
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| » Hair and Football |
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I thought of another interesting tidbit that I forgot to mention. For some reason, I got it in me to do something different with my hair. So, I went and dyed it a chestnut brown with red highlights. It looks pretty good, if a bit different. Unfortunately, it has already faded some but it still looks good.
And, I just found out that we are having a football party at our house tonight to watch the Packer/Cowboy game since we have that 52 inch TV and the NFL network. Which is fine, that sort of thing is always fun. I think I have enough snacks for everyone!
Nov. 29th, 2007 @ 10:42 am
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| » Information Dump |
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Well, now that I have a bit of free time, I’m going to write a bit in my lj.
So much has been going on these last few months that I don’t even know where to start. I think I’m going to just touch on the big things like the electrical fire in my house this past Sat. morning. Wow, was that stressful. Black smoke started rolling out of an outlet in the kitchen. Luckily, my mom and stepdad were over and were up at 6 in the morning to see it start. Woke me up and I turned the electrical off in the kitchen and promptly called my friend Dustin, who’s an electrician. He came over and said that it appeared there was some arching between two medal pieces that weren’t grounded properly and they were getting the drywall. He was kind enough to fix that issue for me but I have to admit, I’m still slightly nervous about using anything in the kitchen, just in case.
Samantha is doing quite well. 2-3 months ago, she had the surgery to have tubes put into her ears because she was getting so many and such bad ear infections. She was constantly on antibiotics and unfortunately, as soon as one infection cleared, she’d get another. She was on drugs for a month straight before the surgery and we were told afterwards, that she had such a bad inner ear infection that when they moved her eardrum to put the tubes in, puss sprayed out. :P Poor little monkey. We were then told that we were lucky we agreed to the tubes because the pressure it was putting on her eardrum was crazy and that it would have eventually ruptured it and caused her to have hearing problems. Since we did this though, she’s been really good and has only had one issue with her ears.
She’s growing again, big surprise. And she’s got a lot of words right now which is great. I find it hilarious that she thinks ‘hot’ = food and that she waves and says bye bye when she wants to go to bed at night.
Sam has also, even though she’s a bit young for it, figured out how to escape from her crib. A couple of weekends ago, I heard her wake up and then she got quiet again. Usually, this means that she fell back asleep or she is quietly playing in her crib. I drifted back to sleep to take advantage of the couple extra minutes. A little bit later, I hear a noise and look up to see Sammi at the end of my bed. Seeing me sit up she exclaims, “Momma!” and tries to crawl into my bed. Not only did the blonde Houdini get out of her crib but she climbed up an entire flight of stairs to come into my room. I’m just glad she didn’t wander anywhere else, as the house becomes unbaby proof after 7:30 at night.
At the same time that Sam had her surgery, I had mine. I recently had a big scare with breast cancer. I did my little check and I found a lump which I then brought to my dr.’s attention. She thought it was unusual so she sent me for a mammogram. (Which, btw, is the most horrible thing you can do to a woman. Smashing my breasts between two glass plates sucked and left me black and blue.) Well, the mammogram came back abnormal so then they sent me in for an ultrasound. I had that ultrasound at 3 pm on a thurs. and my Dr. called me at 9:30 the next morning to tell me that also came back abnormal. Now, things were far more serious as they had ruled out a cyst or a clogged mammary duct, the two main things they thought it was. We had to go in on Monday morning to have the cancer talk and to meet with the specialist because they were going to surgerically remove the lump, at which point they’d biopsy it. I had the surgery that Wed. morning and spent a good part of the day in the hospital but luckily, I was allowed to go home late that afternoon.
It was really difficult for me to not be completely freaked out about the whole situation nor to not think the worse at times because I’d very recently just seen my mother diagnosed with breast cancer that was almost terminal and I saw all the difficulties and hardships that she had to go through. It was so fresh in my mind, that it made it a bit harder then it needed to be. Even though my dr. told me that even if it was the worse case scenario, I was young and very healthy so I would have an easier time of it. Luckily, the lump turned out to be benign – something called a fiberous adenoma, which they would have wanted to remove anyway as they tend to keep growing. So, I now have a 2 inch thin little scar to remind me of this ordeal.
The other thing that is new in my life is that I took a new job. I just couldn’t handle to be working for Joy anymore at the Medical School. She was SO nasty, all the time that it added an immense amount of stress to my everyday life. I had no idea when I was going to be screamed at for something that I didn’t even do, I was on edge constantly. I can handle work related stresses – a heavy work load, difficult work, even the occasional nasty person but when that person is your boss and they are very inappropriate all the time, it wears on you. I had originally thought to try to stick it out for 1 year but I soon realized that if I didn’t find a new job soon, I was either just going to up and quit or I was going to open my mouth and say something to get myself fired.
So, I started looking and eventually accepted a position as the Financial Aid Director for a Cosmetology School. They are great here and even though the work isn’t the easiest, it is SO much better then where I was at.
I suppose this is enough of an information dump for this post, maybe I’ll let you know a bit more later. :)
Nov. 29th, 2007 @ 10:36 am
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| » Serinity Quiz - Zoe |
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Your results:
You are Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)
| Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) |
| 85% |
| Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) |
| 80% |
| Wash (Ship Pilot) |
| 75% |
| Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) |
| 70% |
| Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) |
| 65% |
| Inara Serra (Companion) |
| 50% |
| River (Stowaway) |
| 40% |
| Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) |
| 35% |
| Derrial Book (Shepherd) |
| 20% |
| Alliance |
| 15% |
| A Reaver (Cannibal) |
| 10% |
|
Dependable and trustworthy.
You love your significant other and
you are a tough cookie when in a conflict.
 |
Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz
Sep. 21st, 2007 @ 07:38 am
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athelis's journal