TODAY I got NEWS!!!

That I will get news on FRIDAY.

Boo.

I'm not patient....so waiting til the end of yet another week....is quite a painful thing.  HOWEVER.  My manager states that she doesn't think it will be a problem.  HOWEVER.. until it's all said and done, I won't rest easy.  And as Wayne tells me, even then there will be something new I will stress out about!! lol.  But hey, I already have wedding desserts figured out, thanks to his mom! (hehehe)

It just seems too good to be true.  A job that I just LOVE.  A relationship that is going well (to my knowledge at least??), etc, etc.  And to add how hard it was for my nursing licence, the visa dramas..perhaps I'm just expecting drama and chaos?  I dunno.  I just keep waiting for the bottom to drop out.

And as I type, my folks are in the process of moving from KY to Florida.  While part of me is sooo happy for them, to be actually doing what they want with their retirement, part of me is selfish and unhappy with the move.  It's really hard to explain.  It's the house I lived in since I was 8.  It's the house I grew up in.  The movie "Sweet home Alabama" has a quote in it, "you can't have roots and wings".  And this is true.  I'm the one who moved 11k miles away, but wishing my folks would stay there forever?  I dunno, I guess I just had this image of taking our kids there someday.   Having christmas day sledding down the hill, etc. 

Since this blog is more for me than anyone else, I will leave with some Miranda Lambert lyrics!

Song: "The house that built me" by Miranda Lambert

"I know they say you can't go home again

I just had to come back one last time

Ma'am, I know you don't know me from Adam

But these hand prints on the front steps are mine
Up those stairs in that little back bedroom

Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar

And I bet you didn't know under that live oak

My favorite dog is buried in the yard
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it's like I'm someone else

I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave

Won't take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years

From "Better Homes and Garden" magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

And nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama's dream
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it's like I'm someone elseI thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in, I swear I'll leaveWon't take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me

You leave home, you move on

And you do the best you can

I got lost in this whole world

And forgot who I am

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it's like I'm someone elseI thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could walk around, I swear I'll leave

Won't take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me"

"you are your own worst enemy"

Those are words my dad told me numerous times growing up.  Probably more times than I would like to remember.... or admit......

The crazy thing about growing up (or attempting to in my case..hehe) is realizing your parents were far more correct than we ever gave them credit.  And probably more so than the credit we do give them once we start realizing how many times they WERE right (hey, gotta keep SOME pride, right? lol).

Flash forward to the other man in my life, Wayne.  He's right far more often than I would like to admit, especially when it comes to me stressing out.  "It'll all work out, babe" is usually his standard answer when I stress.  And typically he is right.  Although SOMETIMES I think that if I didn't stress and harass people when needed over whatever I'm stressing about, perhaps there would be a different and negative outcome? Totally going with that! 

So, I stress out too often, and I'm my own worst enemy.  Lessons from the two most important men in my life.

A quick summary is I still don't know yet whether or not my new job is going to sponsor me.  And I need this sponsorship process to start ASAP.  Basically, I need to get this started, so that when can leave the country in July and when we return in mid August, I can legally return...so that in September we can file for our partner visa....... It all sounds very simple.... but the wheels in my head seem to spin out of control sometimes and the "What if's" seem to take over.  Friday night was a typical toss and turn and wake and think...for hours... kinda night.  On Saturday at work, I had some downtime and got on the immigration website.  And since apparently lack of sleeps turns me into a dyslexic, I spent the next 4 hrs stressing that our ONLY option was to get married between now and the end of July.  (NOT that I have any hesitation to get married..would do it tomorrow.. it's just really important to us to get married when WE want to, and NOT for the sake of residency and making the government and dept of immigration happy!)  (long story on what I was looking at..it's too confusing to go into on here)  Ugh.  However, all this stressing on my behalf did prompt me to do some research, so hopefully there will be less panic/stress at some stage. 

Anyways... I've now completed 2 weeks at work..this past week was my first full week at the office I work at (first week was training in a satellite office).  It's going really really well.  I absolutely love it and the people I work with.  I can def see myself at this place for years to come...which isn't something I usually think about a job this early in.  I'm hoping things continue at this rate.  I'm really enjoying returning back to a normal life and schedule.  It's been nearly 3 years since I've had a normal schedule.  You know, no nights, no weekends, no holidays.  Granted, I do work 4 hrs every other Saturday, but that's nothing.  Still allows for a normal weekend! 

So, cross fingers that this week brings good news!

The next few weeks will be BUSY!!  On Monday 6 Feb, Wayne has surgery.  One week later, my folks arrived for two weeks.  Shew!  After this week, I'm off work for 3 weeks. 

Ok, until next time..... tootles!

New Job!!!

Sooooo........... last week I had a job interview for a practice nurse (dr's office) AND, got the job.  I didn't think I would even get a call back because the questions weren't intense...very vague.  The only thing that left me feeling good was them asking if I could start on the following Monday.  So I left positive, but questionable in the back of my mind.

Then...they rang.  And................. I started... on Monday!!

On my first day, I broke to them the news of Wayne's surgery and my parent's visit (aka...3 weeks OFF work in FEB... and, it's January 16th!!!!!).  They were fine with it.  Apparently for my experience they are willing to lose me for 3 weeks and hire an agency nurse.  From the sounds of it, I could have said I wanted to fly to space for a few weeks, and they would go with it.  WOW!  I'm sooo not use to this!!  So I've been training, and it's been going GREAT.  The programs are sooo user friendly. And since I type 60 words per minute, computers and me get along sooo much better than pen and paper!!

Anyways!!!

I will have my own desk as of Monday, and I get to wear nice professional clothes..and the job is so far from stressful, that I'm not sure what word even describes how stress free it is compared to my previous jobs!!!!  YET.. it's the highest paying job I've ever had.  It even pays better than the hospitals around here....for half the work!!  Granted, next week once I start it will become a little more stressful, I anticipate.  I have a lot of things I am responsible for, and it appears some of those things haven't been in place or not been properly used for about 3 yrs.  SOOoooooooooooo... may have a few months of stressful catching the practice up.  Basically, I am the ONLY nurse and in charge of all the nursing aspects.  There is someone who will work part time 2 mornings a week and every other Saturday (otherwise I would go into over time).  However, I call all the shots.  Would be lying if I said a part of me doesn't love that!  Oh...and did I mention official management opportunities are in place??  The greatest part of this job is even though it's later evenings (finish at 6) I will be breaking out of the no life nursing schedule and have a NORMAL home life... weekends, holidays, and nights.. OFF.  At home.  Wow.. a "normal" life and schedule?? LOVE IT!!  Thank you!!!!

I went on Wednesday into immigration to discuss my options.  One option I thought I had... I don't.  It was a pricey option, but still a doable option.  Nope.  I have only one option and that is to become sponsored.  I will find out next week or  the week after of my sponsoring options with this job.  The managers and doctors are very impressed with me and totally cheering me on.  (Apparently I've really impressed a very hard to please Dr...so I'm hoping that will work out in my favor!)  I just really hope that this job will sponsor me, because so far I just love it and the people!  My new manager has never worked in management before so she isn't like most management.  She is very nice, easy going, laid back, and when you are in the office, you can totally sense that environment.  Granted, it's a small office, me, her, and max 2 or 3 other employees... but it's just not a tense environment.  I'm very thankful and really have a good feeling that this is *THE* job.. the job I will spend years at (I can go part time after kids even!), the job that will sponsor me, etc, etc. 

Fingers crossed!!!! Fingers crossed!!!!

A huge thanks to Wayne, my family, his family, and our friends as I have gone through a very tough and trying 6 months career wise here in Australia.  I've had some crappy jobs, dodgy job interviews, and have had to vent more in the last 6 months that I remember doing in ages.  I may not say it enough after each bitching session, but thank you for your ears, love, and support.  It means the world.

Will continue to update as the job progresses!  This weekend is a busy one.  Sat morning I babysit the girls, sat night dinner with some friends, Sunday at the children's hosptal as an agency nurse, then back at it on Monday to the new job.  Thank GOD Thursday is a holiday (Australia Day) and as much as I toyed with the thought of working with the agency that day, I'm taking the day OFF!

Love, Peace, and hair grease.  :)

Follow up...

yeah, it's only been like, 90 minutes since my last post..but.. since my last post was mostly photos.. I'm probably due an update?

Today was great.


Met with a friend of a friend for Breakfast at 10.  Which ended at nearly 2pm.  It was great. Our mutual friend is amazing, so if he thought so keenly of her, she must be amazing? And she was.  She and her husband are here with work.  Their visa is for four years, but they have no clue how long they will be here.  About half way through breakfast I found myself thinking "I SO hope you are here forever".  She's just that awesome.

This afternoon I went sailing with  Mary and her husband and a few others.  It was so wonderful (see the pictures..... but they don't do justice to it!).  Mary is from Indiana... my neighbor!!  I sooo loved our time together, and I can't put into words how much I enjoyed pure girl time!  I have that, to an extent, with Aideen (the cousin's wife) but having that with someone outside of family is nice.  Someone if I want to say "he is being a pain in the ass!"  I can.  Or any of the other girl chat.

It was also great, because of a simple chat about "going home".  This year was Mary's year to go home for Christmas.  And she told me tonight something I have already felt.  "it's like I fit in there..but I fit in here".  It's hard to describe, but I already felt that before tonight..almost like you are living two lives.  I fit in back in Kentucky.  I'm the dart throwing, sarcastic, Lexington gal, out with the girls, know every corner in this town, fountains at andover gal...but I also fit in here.  It was just good to talk to someone in these shoes.  However, she is 5 years into this and told me that in a few years it gets worse.  Great.  But was really great to talk to someone in my shoes.

Well, as much as I'd love to go on about my personal life, the love of my life arrives in like, 13 hours.  So off to bed I go.  Much love.

xoxo

It's less than 24 hrs...

Until Wayne gets home!  I'm ready for him to be home.  However I will admit this week has flowwwwnnnnnnnnn by!

Today to top it off, I got a job offer!!  A dr's office...start on Monday... will post more as I "can"....

However...................

Today, I went sailing.  Just a typical January day?

Hate me all you want, but I love my life.  And I as I looked to my left, I had a new friend.  As I looked to my right, I so wished Wayne was there enjoying this with me.

Next time...next time.

AND...please note.. although I had my handy nice camera, I took ALL these with my iphone.  Hey, steve jobs would be happy.....

"Jet Lag"

So, there is a song that always reminds me of the long distance relationship.  The other day it came on and Wayne sang along with the chorus.  I said "I like that song..reminds me of us with the miles"  His answer?  "never listened to the lyrics".  So, I shall post them! lol.

What time is it where you are?
I miss you more than anything
Back at home you feel so far
Waitin' for the phone to ring
It's gettin’ lonely livin’ upside down
I don't even wanna be in this town
Tryin' to figure out the time zones makin' me crazy

You say good morning
When it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
And it's driving me mad
I miss you so bad
And my heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged

What time is it where you are?
Five more days and I'll be home
I keep your picture in my car
I hate the thought of you alone
I've been keepin' busy all the time
Just to try to keep you off my mind
Tryin' to figure out the time zones makin’ me crazy

You say good morning
When it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
And it's drivin' me mad
I miss you so bad
And my heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Is so jet lagged

I miss you so bad [x5]
I wanna share your horizon
I miss you so bad
And see the same sunrising
I miss you so bad
Turn the hour hand back to when you were holding me.

You say good morning
When it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
And it's drivin' me mad
I miss when you say good morning
But it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
And it's drivin' me mad
I miss you so bad
And my heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Heart, heart, heart is so jetlagged
Is so jetlagged
Is so jetlagged

Getting the hang of it....

Slowly, shift by shift, I am getting the hang of things as a nurse "down under".  There are still moments in EVERY shift where I want nothing more than to find a corner to assume the fetal position and cry.  Of course, I don't.  I keep it together, put on my cape and tiara, and do the best damn job I can in the time I am allotted.  I LOVE one of the hospitals here, Sir Charles Gardiner... aka "charlies".  It's the teaching hospital, so it's very much like UK as far as med students and residents.  After working in a teaching facility, you find it's not over whelming to have THAT many doctors around, but it works so much to your benefit!  But the "small" differences I keep talking about sometimes all occur within 10 minutes.  Suddenly I feel like an idiot because I have no clue what people are talking about (only because it's not the same name brand I'm use to.)  Charlies has awesome nurses and every experience there has been a positive one for sure. 

Tonight I was at my dinner break (something I RARELY got in America!) and I find out one of my patients in surgery (or Theatre as they call it here... ) is ready for me to pick them up.  Oh, and my new admission (that I had no clue about) is in their bed.  Awesome.  Because I can totally be in two places at once?  (does that mean I get double pay for doing double work?).  It wasn't me being dumped on as an agency nurse, it was simply the way the cards fell.   I did all I could, but felt like I was "dumping" on the oncoming nurse.  And based on her "tone" I felt that she agreed.  Although I tried to emphasize that I was sorry but things were beyond my control.  Problem is too many agency nurses give the rest of us the bad name.  And as a former staff nurse, I've been on that side so I understand.

I just hope to get the hang of this soon.  It's really hard to go from being the one people came to for things, to the one who doesn't feel like she knows shit sometimes.  I know I can do this.  I will just be glad when I can re read this entry and laugh at myself.  That'll be a good day.  And it can't come soon enough.  But I know, this is just part of it. 

The sponsorship is still lingering over my head, and I really hope to know more about that soon.  There is an option for me to get my own residency, but it's quite expensive.. perhaps cheaper than other options though..but those are worst case scenarios.  I'm shocked at how hard the immigration process really is.

As I speak, my love is currently in very cold Mongolia.  He said of all things his feet are the coldest.  If I could, I would take that cold from him.  I'd easily let my feet be cold to know his were warm.  It's only for a week, and after the 11K long distance relationship, a week seems like nothing.  He reminded me that it's only 5 days until he gets to see me again.  :)  Texts like that warm my heart.  I so love him and am so happy.  He bring so much joy to my life and I can't imagine my life without him.  He's the best friend and partner a girl could ever dream of.  And how lucky am I that my best friend became my partner?   I can't believe we've been "us" for 17 months now.  We've had our fair shares of ups and downs..but what couple hasn't?  I just know that I'm so happy and love him so very much.  I curse our bad times, but part of me is grateful for them, because they've brought us so close.  There is nothing we dont' know about each other.  At all.  Everything is completely open with us, and I love that.  He gets me, and I get him.  As a quote from a movie (untamed heart) "he doesn't make sense.. i don't make sense...together... we make sense".  I now understand that quote.  Fully.

With that I am taking my aching feet to bed!!  Much love folks.

Until next time...

Summer do

I broke down today and got my hair cut.  5 1/2 inches gone.  It had gotten to the point to where my hair always feels stringy and just blah.  And the shedding.. don't get me started.  It seemed that it took 20 minutes to dry my hair.. and by then I was so hot from the dryer, that my "dry" hair was wet again from sweat.  My main style was the good old classic pony tail.  Wayne keeps saying that the pony tail is quite common here.  And he's right.  I see them all the time.  But that doesn't mean I want to go through long hair maintenance for a pony tail, or feel like I have stringy hair when I do attempt to style it.

I'll post a before picture.. it was about this length today, although this picture was taken in September...and it was one of my rare good hair days (plus it was Perth Spring, so it was much cooler!).

Before

Waalaaa

 

 

I like it, it feels much lighter and soo much cooler on these hot summer days!!  Dry time has gone from approx 20 minutes... to.... about 5.  I think I MAY be able to let it go curly with my natural curl even.. will play with that someday....

In other news as I type this Wayne is approaching Singapore.  He is headed to Mongolia for work.  It's his first trip in over a month.  I've loved having him home, so I am gonna miss him this week.  I had so gotten use to nightly dinners and daily chats.  I quickly got spoiled and now back to the reality of the girlfriend of a traveling business man.  Sigh.  But, that company is what gives us the life it has given us, so hard to complain... kinda like biting the hand that feeds ya.

Okie dokie.. off I go to fix some grub for dinner.  Dinner for one.  Boo.

Until next time.... 

Thursday smursday.

I thought I'd share a funny with you today.. and break away from the regular update blog entry's... as I haven't done that much lately!

(I take no credit for this!)

*******

Male/Female Definitions

1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female...... Any part under a car's hood.
Male..... The strap fastener on a woman's bra.
...
2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female.... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another.
Male.... Playing football without a cup.

3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's partner.
Male... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys.

4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n.
Female.... A desire to get married and raise a family.
Male...... Trying not to hit on other women while out with this one.

5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female.... A good movie, concert, play or book.
Male...... Anything that can be done while drinking beer.

6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female.... An embarrassing byproduct of indigestion.
Male...... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding.

7 MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female.... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male.... Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it.

8. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female.... A device for changing from one TV channel to another.
Male.... A device for scanning through all 999 channels every 5 minutes

Year in review... 2011

First off.. Happy New Year!!!!  We had a great NYE at Wayne's brothers house with his brother, sister in law and the nephews.  I am always superstitious that how you spend NYE will reflect on how your year will be.  It doesn't always turn out that way, but it's a big big belief I have.  And looking back, although 2011 had a LOT of great things, it was also a very trying year with some negatives as well... and although 2010 NYE was great, Wayne and I did have an argument (nothing big) so sometimes I wonder if that had any effect on our year (yeah, yeah, I'm nuts, I know... it's my only superstition though...thank GOD.).  So this year was awesome... I was with the man I love, surrounded by two kids that adore us and we adore, family and friends.... lots of laughter of love......  I'm hoping this will mean that 2012 will be a year of love, family, and friends.  That's my hopes and I have a feeling this could be the best year EVER.   

On my old blog, I use to do a year in review blog entry at the end of the year.... an entry in which I reflect back on the events of the prior year.  I'm not sure if I did this last year???  (going to check.....)  Apparently I didn't do one.  So I will begin that yearly blog tradition.. today!

Year in Review "Summary"  (and by summary, I mean novel... lol)

2011 has been a big year, possibly one of the biggest of my life.  Drastic changes, extreme risks, going outside my comfort zone in many ways both personally and professionally.  Let's sum it up (and if you know me or follow my blog regularly, you can easily skip this part! lol)....

• I moved to Australia (twice). 
• I quit a job with NO notice.  (Kids, I don't recommend that, but it all worked out...luckily!) 
• Upon returning to America in April, I did a lot of soul searching, and Wayne and I continued to work very hard on our relationship.  In mid April I got a call for a travel nurse job and found myself in Hagerstown, Maryland for the next three months. 
• After being in Hagerstown for a week, I had a visitor for the next three weeks... my aussie.  We toured DC together a little, and spent a lot of face to face time working on "us" pretty intensely.  Before Wayne left we hit a little speed bump (that's to yours truly!) and spent the next couple of weeks doing further soul searching.  In the end, we decided that despite everything, the only thing both of us wanted was each other.  This lead to the decision for me to move back to Australia but on a working holiday visa so some of the problems we had on the first move with me not being able to work and going stir crazy would be avoided.  (and it worked!) 
• While in Maryland, I also did a 2 day tour of D.C (by myself!) and even did a night time tour.  Traveling alone (esp at night) is sooo out of character for me.  Even took pics of me playing chess (which I don't know how to even play) with some homeless guys... just to message to mom to freak her out (again, pretty out of character for me!) 
• I made some new friends and learned that I was much more capable of changes, new things, and so many other things that I never realized I was capable of.. until I threw myself into those very awkward and new situations.  
• I moved to Australia the end of July.. left America on the 26th and arrived on the 28th.  My niece came with me and had a great time.  After she went back, she began college and long story short now has nothing to do with me and my family.  It's very very heartbreaking, but it's out of my hands so I try not to let it worry me.  Easier said than done, but I think I manage pretty well. 
• I was working 4 different jobs, keeping busy (some weeks busier than other, but mostly enjoyable) and worked on my nursing license.  After a long battle, countless emails, phone calls, and sleepless nights, on Nov 17 my license was issued.  So now I'm officially an American AND Australian RN!! It's really exciting!  Of the four jobs I kept one which is babysitting for a family for an 8 month old and 2 1/2 yr old.  The girls are great and I really enjoy it.  In addition I am working for an Agency as an RN and working on getting a permanent full time job so I can become a permanent resident!  Already in talks with one unit and it's looking promising! 
• In November, our relationship hit another hiccup.  We've had a lot of talking and working on us after that, but all seems to be going in the right direction.  At the end of the day we love each other very much, and I think the fact that we work through these hurdles is a big sign that we both want this to work.  Lord knows we've messed up both pretty equally enough to give the other person plenty of reasons to break up (and call friends to help bury a body...haha).  We had a talk on NYE in the afternoon about it and I'm feeling much more resolved and it's something I want to leave in 2011.  Will take time to fully "heal" for lack of better words.. but I know together we'll be just fine.
• Also in November, we introduced the family to "Thanksgiving" and had a big American Style Thanksgiving dinner at our place.  It was great.  Lots of food, drinks, family, friends, and even more food.  The weather was great and everything turned out perfect.  I felt so blessed to be surrounded by the family and was even more blessed that Wayne thought of the idea.  Now, it's a yearly tradition!! YAH!! It's always been one of my favorite holidays!
• In the matter of 2 weeks, I got not one, not two, not three... but FOUR speeding tickets.  *gulp*
• Last but not least, I experienced my first Australian Christmas and New Years... in Australian SUMMER.  It feels sooo strange, but I can't expect the weather to conform to me to be what I'm use to.  I just have to accept this is how it is from now on and that's that.  And as strange as it felt, it also felt really nice.  Wayne's family from day one has welcomed me since day one, and it was really nice to spend the holidays with them. 

I've always loved New Years.  It seems like you get a second chance, a fresh slate... or a whole nother year to screw up in...however you wanna look at it?  lol.

I don't really make "resolutions" because it seems that words definition is "something I want to do, but know that I never will".  Seriously.. how many resolutions have you followed through with?? lol 

However I do want to make some serious changes.  I want to be healthier (I say this as I snack on potato chips?  Ahh.. it's New Years Day, and I have spent the day nursing a slight hangover, so we'll start tomorrow?).  One of my bad bad habits is drinking Coke.  Not diet, I HATE diet soda.  The full blooded beautiful red canned coca cola.  I want to stop drinking coke (or at least make it an occasional thing, NOT a daily occurrence) . I want to take my vitamins regularly.  I need to get in the habit of eating breakfast.  I want to drink less alcohol (drinking less than I use to but still need to take it down several notches).  I need to start some kind of exercise routine...even if it's just walks in the evening.  I want to be a better friend, a better daughter, and a better girlfriend.  I want to be more patient and compassionate.  I want to be less stressed out and less of a worrier (about... EVERYTHING). 

What will 2012 bring???

For starters, Wayne will be having surgery and we will get more information on that on Jan 5 including the full details and the date.  We know he is at least having a tonsillectomy, anything past that will depend on what his sleep study results are.  In February, my parents arrive for two weeks!!!! I sooo cannot wait.  I miss them so very much but am thankful for the Internet for us to be able to communicate nearly daily.  I am also excited that my best friend is getting married in June, so we are headed to America!!  I can't wait to see my friends and family.  We aren't sure all the details on our travel dates and plans, but we do plan on going to Vegas (as a couple, not just friends this time!) and the Grand Canyon (I've never been) during the trip, and to visit my parents at their new house in Florida!  I'd love to be able to go to Paris (my numero uno on my bucket list!) however not sure if time will allow.  (someday!)  I'm praying that in 2012 I will get a job that I will love and obtain sponsorship to stay as a permanent resident.  I want our relationship to continue to grow stronger every day, and I hope that we don't start acting like our age.  Because acting like a couple of 10 year olds is kinda fun.  I hope we have more tears of laughter than tears of sadness. 

I hope everyone reading this had a happy and safe New Years Eve. I hope that 2012 treats you well and that you as well have more tears of laughter than tears of sadness.

Goodbye to 2011, and despite all the good, there was still enough negatives that I'm happy to see you go.

2012, Welcome!  Let's do this!