Girl with the red balloon.

Oh, where do I start?

Well, I have a new job. I have been a pediatric ophthalmic technician for two weeks now. I absolutely love it! (Who would have ever thought I would say that I love my job? NOT ME.) On Dr. McCarty days, I do work ups for office visits and post-ops. My office got a whole new computer system a few months before I came on board, so there is a little more work to do in the computer than they're used to, but I am coping just fine. I really like that it's all in the computer. I find it enjoyable to work up patients; I get to put in dilating drops and use a tonopen to check their pressures (by touching the instrument to the eyeball; so cool). On Dr. Peterson days, I am a scribe, which means I go in with the doctor and type in and click what he tells me to while he is examining the patient. I was most nervous about my duty as a scribe; one, because this doctor owns the place and I didn't want to mess up and two, because it is so different from anything I am used to... and I'm not big on change. However, I started going in with him on Monday and picked it up pretty quickly, and I actually like it a lot. I do miss-type and miss-click at times, but he teaches as we go through the exam.

Dr. McCarty will see between 20 and 30 something patients in a day, so it's pretty steady. Dr. Peterson sees 60 something every time he is in the office, so it gets really busy. I don't get to sit down much when he's there, but it's alright because it makes the time fly so fast.

Anyway, I rambled on about it because I am so much happier now. I love the people I work with. They are way rad, man.

I woke up this morning with a semi-scratchy throat. I thought it was just from a night of the fan on medium and my snoring on high, but it has gotten so much worse throughout the day. A couple of people at work have gone through this too. I constantly had a cough drop in my mouth all day so I wouldn't break out into a coughing fit while I touched and breathed on patients. Sigh. I'm getting sick.

This past weekend, my siblings and I, along with my brother-in-law Mat, my soon-to-be brother-in-law Jacob, and my best friend Bubba, got to be in the same city at the same time! It's a rare but special occasion when such an event occurs. I wish the fun could have lasted longer than one weekend, but I'll take what I can get.

I feel so disjointed right now (and I really really want to give my full attention to this music I just bought on iTunes), so forgive me for cutting you off from my other thoughts. If you're interested in what will be playing on my iPod: The Civil Wars and Elenowen. Both duos have amazing abilities. I'd kill for their talent.

Say a little prayer for my health. (Thank you if you did!)

I'll catch you on the flip side.

PSA: The Words and the Keys.

It needs to be said.

Parents, it's time to talk to your kids about being textually active. We've all heard the story of the Words and the Keys, and it is time to pass it along to the younger generation. We now live in a world where kids are starting to be textually active at younger and younger ages. If they do not practice safe text, it could lead to SGDs (Serious Grammar Defects). Having to live with an SGD can negatively impact your child for the rest of his or her life. In most cases, someone with an SGD will have a harder time in school, inhibiting their ability to obtain a decent job. SGDs will also prevent them from having normal social interactions with their friends. It is hard to take someone seriously when 'dey txt lyk dis'. In order to give your kids a great, well-rounded life, you need to take the time to teach them about proper punctuation protection. Let them know all the options such as commas, word control, and capitalization. Giving your kids a detailed education on the subject will protect them in the long run, making you a super hero.

Tradition in the making.

Hey, you. So, I gave blood again today, and while the nurse was painfully digging around in my arm with a needle, I had an idea. If you read this post from my first blood giving experience, then you know I followed up with an iPod type survey. I had the thought that maybe this should be tradition after the giving of blood. Why not, right?


Well, here you go.


If you woke up as the opposite sex, whats the first thing you would do? Well, I'd change my name to Leonidas. Because it's so manly. I can't imagine in what situation 'Cassie' would be an appropriate name for a dude.

Are you addicted to anything? Oxygen. I can't seem to go very long without it.


Has an animal ever attacked you? I have been mauled by caterpillars.


When was the last time someone made you laugh really hard? I only make people laugh when I laugh - insanely hard.


Do you find piercings/tattoos attractive? I sometimes find the people on which they rest attractive.


What's the weirdest thing you've ever licked? My palm. So I could sniff and judge the rankness of my breath. It's very effective.


When you wake up, what's the first thought that runs through your head? "Curse the sun!"


Do you actually believe Alaska is covered in snow? Bombe (Baked) Alaska is covered in fire.


Are you ever purposely irritating? Only when I have nothing better to do.


If you could make someone disappear, who would it be? Toby.


Look behind you, what do you see? A hole in my vision from the blinding light.


What's your fav thing about the opposite sex? That they are the opposite sex.


What would you be doing right now if you were kicked off your computer? I would browse the net on my cellular device. Because it's 2011.


Who do you want to be with right now? The South Carolinians that I love.


Are you fun to hang with? Depends on who you ask.


What country would you love to visit? Narnia.


What's on your mind right now? Physically, a headache.


When was the last time you went to a good party? My cousin had a totes awesome haunted house 12th birthday party. We got crazy.


Can you lick your elbow? I do what I want.


Do you like anyone you can't have? Mr. Darcy. 


What song is stuck in your head right now? That headache.


What do you think is at the end of the rainbow? Not rainbow.


If a blind guy started hitting on you, what would you do? I'd hit him back. 'An eye for an eye.'


Ever been in a fight? With my earbuds.


If so did you win? Always.


Done anything illegal lately? I threw a penny in the garbage.


Ever been in trouble for something you didn't do? Yes. I was spanked with a hairbrush (which broke in half by the way) because I looked similar to my sister. It was for something she did.


Are you hungry? A pinch.


If you could speak another language, what would it be? Na'vi.


One word to describe yourself? Female.


To describe your friends? Friendly.


What's the last present you've received? Black high heels to sell in my virtual boutique.


What would you rather have as a name? Princess Consuela Banana Hammock.


Could you outrun a bus? Buses can't run.


You and your friends are bored. What do you do? Stop being bored and start being awesome.


What's your middle name? Danger. 


What would you do if the world were coming to an end? Eat at Moe's.


Biggest regret ever? Having regrets.

Bananas and Circus Peanuts.

Funny story. Last night as I was getting ready for bed, I was so ready to lay down that I was doing all of my nightly rituals at once. I grabbed the bottle and poured a huge swig of what I thought was mouth wash into my mouth. I strained the goo through my teeth and soon found out that I had, in fact, poured my face wash into my mouth. It does not have an appealing taste or texture. It was not a shining moment. In my defense, both the mouth wash and the face wash have the same exact flip top. I was trolled.

Awesome story. I was contacted by Pediatric Eye Specialists through my sister (who works at SouthEast Eye Specialists) and they asked me to come interview for a job. I went Monday and talked with the office manager and one of the doctors. I thought it went pretty well, but the office manager told me they were also considering two others for the job. Honestly, I didn't think I would get it because of the concerns they expressed when talking to me. However, this morning as I was getting ready for work, their office called and left me a voicemail offering me the job! I called her back right away and accepted.

Only now, I had to tell my boss I was putting in my two weeks notice. I decided to do it at lunch since we had patients first thing that morning. I was a nervous wreck for hours. I don't think I have ever been that stressed out. I guess it was rather silly to be nervous about that, but I knew what this was going to mean for Dr. Montgomery. For most of the four years that I have been there, I have been in charge of all things insurance. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but they really will have a tough time for a while without me... unless they can find someone with that type of experience. That's why I was so nervous and feel so bad for leaving. It's hard to do this to a boss that has been so great and understanding. On the other hand, I can't just stay there for her sake. I've got to get on with my life, and with the way it all worked out, I am positive this was God jump starting my next move. I can't wait to see what other changes and challenges come my way! If you wouldn't mind, would you keep me in your prayers as I start my job in two weeks? It will be much appreciated because this job will be a big change with so much I will have to learn. I'm a little nervous.

It's late. I'm sleepy. Goodnight, lovelies.

Baby, I'm a dreamer for sure.

Because my brain never rests, I have a couple dreams I can share with you.


DREAM 1:

Those who know me can testify to this fact: I have never let alcohol touch my tongue. So of course it can be a temptation every now and then. What strikes me as odd is that in my dreams, when I do partake in adult beverages, I go out of control. In this particular dream, I did just that; the effects of alcohol, even in dream land, turn out to be very odd and unholy.

Also, you need to know that the night before this dream, I had a Twitter conversation with Lo. BREAKING DAWN SPOILER ALERT: We were quoting Jacob and Renesme like they were discussing their relationship after she grew up. Jacob, of course, imprinted on Edward and Bella's daughter, which means he is tied to her in a complicated way. But in essence, he is going to eventually fall in love with and marry this girl. When she grows up, duh. But he imprints on her as a baby, meaning he knows when she is born that this is who he wants to spend the rest of his life with.. That makes it weird. Our conversation was quite humorous.

Anyway, without further ado...

I was in what seemed to be not quite a church, not quite a house, but somewhere in the middle. I started out laying down on a pallet of blankets with a new, unopened bottle of vodka at my side. I screwed off the top and downed half of the bottle before sitting up right. As I felt the liquid poison my bloodstream, I stood up and walked out of the door. I found my friend Bubba. He told me his body was dying but that he could live on in a different body. So, he was somehow transferred to this 3 or 4 year old body. He could still talk, walk, think, etc. like he could as an adult, he just has to grow up again physically. I got one of those child carriers that you wear like a backpack, but on your front, and put him in it. I was walking around talking to him, and in my mind, I decided this is what it was like to imprint on a child. I decided it was completely sane.


As we were walking and talking, we ran into Will and Joseph. (They and Doug were really in Israel at the time.) I asked why they hadn't left for Israel yet. They told me they were going in a couple of days, when Doug was finished with his first three days of stuff. And then I had to explain to them about the Bubba child that was strapped to my chest. Quite embarrassing and hard to explain if I do say so myself. They were weirded out.


DREAM 2:


This dream really has no explanation. I haven't the slightest idea why I would have such a dream...

I was again, at a church, Christian Heritage to be exact. I was outside the Family Life Center under the awning when I ran into Tiffany Groves. Like a normal human being, I stopped to ask her how she was. She asked if I had heard about Daniel (her husband). I told her I had not and asked if he was okay. Tiffany told me that he was in a coma! I was shocked and trying to be sensitive, but I had to find out more details. I asked how it happened and she told me that he drank an energy called Ultimate Rockstar. This brand has six times the amount of sugar as a normal can of any energy drink. As soon as he finished it, he passed out in the coma and has not come back since. I asked her how long ago this happened and she told me he has been in a coma for six months. It was then that I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the paleness of her skin. She had been running ragged for those six months. It was terribly sad. And really weird.




I also recently had a lucid dream. (You know, when the dreamer can directly control what happens.) I don't really want to share the details of that dream, but I want to tell you how you can have one too... it really works! Bubba and I actually watched a YouTube video about how to do it. The video gives extensive ways to help you be able to manipulate your dreams; I only used one of the tips. I set my alarm, woke up about thirty minutes earlier than usual, and turned the alarm off so I could fall back asleep. As I was drifting off again, I kept repeating in my head "I will have a lucid dream. I will have a lucid dream." until I fell asleep. As soon as the dream started, I knew I was in the dream world and had complete control. It was so much fun to be able to do that! And even though I knew it was a dream, I could still sense things around me as if it was real, like I can when the dream isn't lucid. It actually felt more real than any other dream, if that is even possible. But maybe that was just because of the events... of what I wanted to happen. I can tell you it was a bummer to have to wake up. I was quite enjoying myself.

I haven't tried it since, but I think I will soon.

Fight or Flight.

Yesterday was my day off of work. Because of the migrane I woke up with, I stayed home pretty much the entire day by myself. (Pawpaw was the only visitor I had.) 8 PM rolled around pretty quickly and as it was getting dark out, I searched the channels for an interesting program. I settled on a movie about murderers, of course. About thirty minutes into the movie, I hear some sort of noise coming from my kitchen, to which I turned the volume down so I could get a better listen. It was a repetitive, kind of sawing or scraping sound. I shrugged it off and decided to assume it was something I didn't need to check out. About ten minutes later, the living room light flickered three times, causing my heart to race a little. The light was the only electrical thing that decided to do this so I laughed at the situation as I continued watching the thrilling movie, trying not to psych myself out.

Another ten minutes passed and all of a sudden, my entire house went black. From my seat, I could see the houses across the street from mine; they all still had electricity. The other two occurances that happened just moments ago flooded my mind with every possible hostage/torture/homidice situation that I have ever seen in a movie. "Oh no, oh no, oh no..." I repeated in a low, horrified voice. I fumbled with my phone for a moment before I could get it to dial a number, any number. I selected Bubba's number quickly and darted my eyes toward the kitchen door frame, although I could see nothing. In my mind, whoever had caused that noise earlier was about to stand in the doorway and let it be known he was there. Finally, Bubba answered. I couldn't really get my thoughts together of what I wanted to say, so I ended up asking if he was busy at that moment. As I waited for the answer, I felt a little ridiculous for not just saying what was going on in my house and in my mind. I got it together and told him in broken sentences that I was terrified and couldn't see anything. He would ask me questions, but I didn't know what to do or say. My words wouldn't come out right.

He finally just resolved to come to my house but I couldn't sit there and wait for a deranged psychopath to kill me with inevitiblity. I felt around on my couch and found my purse sitting there, thank God. I told Bubs I was just going to come to his house. I found my keys in the front pocket and darted to the front door. As I opened the door, I just imagined someone coming right up behind me. This put a little more fire under my step. With no shoes on, I slammed the door behind me and I frantically walked into the rain to my car. Hands trembling, I fumbled with the keys until I found the right one. It was one smooth motion once I got the key into the lock; I hopped in the car, shut and locked the door, and cranked the engine before I took in another breath. My dark house looked so out of place on my street of lit up ones. I drove out of there as fast as I could.

On the way to the Johnson's, I noticed that, of course, I was out of gas. If this wasn't a scene of a scary movie, then I don't know what is. I drove for a bit and pulled over at a gas station that I am well familiar with. For my bare feet, I scrounged up a pair of flats that happened to be in my car. I only pumped $10 into my car before deciding that was enough, I wasn't waiting around like the stupid girls in movies to see if it would turn out the same way. If movies have taught me anything, it's to be smarter than their characters.

Finally in my car and on the way to my destination, I called my sister to let her know what happened, as she would be returning home soon. I had to leave a voicemail because there was no answer. I turned on Christian radio to calm down my nerves a bit. I was a little shaky from this entire episode. One line of a song stuck out to me; it kind of nudged me that it was what I needed to hear. The lyric said "you just call My name and I'll be there." So, I did. I prayed that everything at the house was okay and that I was truly freaking out for nothing; better an embarrassing freak out than a real life horror scene. Half listening, half praying, the next song truly made me feel better. At the moment, I can't remember what song it was, but it kept repeating "do not be afraid". It was the only thing I heard and I really felt God saying it to me.

My sister called me back when I got to the Johnson's and I told her the story and advised her to wait until her boyfriend got to the house before going inside, to which she agreed. In the end, it turned out that everything was okay in the house, praise the Lord.

I am very thankful I can tell this story in slight embarrassment and humor. After the fact, the whole thing is quite funny, but if it happened again, I would react the exact same way. And don't pretend you wouldn't have thought or done the same.

It really is Halloween time, isn't it? ;)

The $500 Movie Ticket.

I just had a NaNo freak out! There are about 24.5 days left until the month of November begins and I have no clue of what I am going to write about. I am starting to question whether I actually want to do it now or not. I made it through last year, but my story failed to even keep my attention, so it wasn't worth trying to resuscitate. I haven't even read the bulk that I wrote since day 30 of last November. Maybe I'll pull that out and try to convince myself to do it and be better this year.

I neeeeed a story to tell. It's so hard to come up with a fresh story from the recesses of my mind. I feel like every story possible has already been told, even though that's a lie. Only after the fact of reading an interesting book/story do I think hey, I should have and could have written that first.. psh, another lie.

Someone give me a brilliant story for my NaNo novel and if I use it, I will dedicate the entire book to you! Such an honor. ;)


I've lost count of how many movies I've seen in theaters this year, but the last known documentation was 47 on August 31st, and I've seen quite a few since. Let's say I have roughly seen 50 movies this year. IF I paid the full, average price of $10 per ticket, I will have spent $500.00 on movie tickets alone since January 1st.
That. Is. Ridiculous.

However, plenty of those movies were seen for the price of $1 or $3 at the cheap theater and there have been many occasions the ticket was free (friends in high places). Still, movie ticket prices are outrageous, but that doesn't keep me from seeing them. #cinemafangirl