ode to summer

I love summer. I just do...always have, always will. Maybe it's because I was brought into the world in the peak of summer (aug 9th,1986)...or maybe it's because some of my most vivid and fond memories growing up happened in the summer. When I think back to my childhood, my mind seems to always wander to my backyard in Carterville. Running around the yard in my red Coca-Cola swimsuit, Natalie tap dancing with Erin Shasteen in the garage, Dad putting rocks around the lake, Mom laying out in the backyard with her feet in my baby pool, riding my blue (Duqoin state fair-won) bicycle with Laura up to the orange building that was once Veach's Short Stop for a slurpee, playing tri-c softball at the park, and Erin and her friends making tropical snows for me & my little friends after a game. I feel my best in the summer. I think I look better too. Why is this? Maybe it's why I moved to California in the first place...because it is sort-of an endless summer here. Call this post pointless if you want, but I just wanted to declare my love for summer :-)Enjoying my Pinkberry (pomegranate frozen yogurt with pineapple & cherries) on a nice summer evening in Los Feliz...a favorite summer treat!

a new place to call home.

As of August 1st, this will be the new place that I call home! Nicole, Rachel, and I will be moving in the first week of August. It's the perfect place for us. Within walking distance to Americana on Brand (a huge/beautiful outdoor mall) in Glendale and only a few miles from work...we couldn't have found a better place to call home.

beach bum.

Today I went to the beach with a book and enjoyed my afternoon outside. Something of which I rarely do now that I work nights. I forgot how nice it is to be awake during the day, I got so much done! Back to work tomorrow night....
If you're curious about the book I'm reading, it's "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. I wanted to read the book before the movie comes out later this month. So far its good but I'm only half way in.

st.louis.

My trip to STL was short but sweet! It was exciting and a bit refreshing to spend 4 relaxing days in the city I once called home. I got to see some of my best friends, drink great wine, and catch up on some much needed rest. The first night I got in, we went to Bar Louie in the Central West End (a bar that I used to frequent quite a bit). Luckily, I got to meet up & see a bunch of my Delta Gamma sorority sisters there, some of them celebrating graduation. On Friday, we went to Montell Winery. The view of the trees, barns, and cornfields were beautiful...the wine was great and the conversation was better. We went to Oyster Bar that night, which is one of my top 3 favorite places in St. Louis. The rest of the weekend we spent catching up on each others lives and talking about our future plans.

Hot Damn Delta Gam

Montell Winery

Rachel & Nicole have officially been hired onto CHLA and I couldn't be more excited!! Rachel will be working in the PICU (with Adam!) and Nicole will be working on 6North, a rehab & general medicine floor. They are moving out on August 5th and I have started the process of apt (or house, if we are lucky) hunting. I always felt like the one thing missing from making LA perfect was the fact that my best girl friends are 2,000miles away. Of course I have made wonderful new friends out here the past year, but nothing will replace my best friends!

Speaking of best friends, my sister Natalie is celebrating a birthday today. Happy Birthday, Nat! I love you and miss you lots. Have a wonderful day celebrating your first birthday with Ethan!

a few zoo animals

My camera died half way through the day...but here are a few good pics from the zoo.

san diego

Jocelyn & I had a fabulous memorial day weekend in San Diego. After we both put in a 12 hour night shift at CHLA, we packed up the Eos and headed south on the 5. One iced coffee and one monster energy drink later, we arrived in the beautiful city of San Diego! We took a quick power nap, showered, and met up with Jocelyn's sister, Kara and a few of her friends (who were attending a physician assistants conference in SD during the weekend). We spent the next day walking around the world famous San Diego zoo, had dessert instead of dinner at a place called Extraordinary Desserts, and drank "big ass beers" at a dueling piano bar. We stayed at the Marriott in downtown SD on the harbor, and we had a balcony with a beautiful view of the sailing boats. The weather was a little chilly so we didn't hit up the beaches, but there is always next time! Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I'm working this week and then I'll head to St. Louis next weekend (June 4-8)...can't wait!

health is wealth

Not a lot going on lately. Getting back into the swing of work and catching up on running some errands. I'm heading to San Diego this weekend with Jocelyn. We're going to hit up the Zoo and the beaches. I kind of forgot it was memorial day weekend, so I bet San Diego will be hoppin'. We're leaving Saturday afternoon since we both work Friday night and we'll be back Monday night. Other than that, no new news. Work has been going good. My first night back to work after my visit home, I took care of a 3 week old and 4 week old. They both needed shunts in their brains to drain the extra cerebral-spinal fluid that they were producing (a condition known as hydrocephalus). It really made me thankful for my healthy nephew and cousin. A wise taxi driver (those are hard to come by in LA) once told me, "Health is Wealth"...I believe that to be true.

We've had 2 notable earthquakes in 3 days. The first was a 5.0 on Sunday night. I was at work (on the 6th floor) and everyone stopped what they were doing. Our hospital is on wheels apparently, so we sway back in forth. I was caring for a quite annoying & healthy (only in the hospital to get IV antibiotics due to an infection in a bone) 13 year old boy who thought it would be funny to scream his head off once he realized what was going on. For a little while I thought I actually wanted to have boys one day...caring for this kid 3 nights in a row confirmed my thoughts of only wanting girls. Maybe it was just his age, I'm sure 13 year old girls can be quite annoying too..but man, let's just say I only went into his room when I absolutely had to! Otherwise, I was bombarded with questions : "If you could have any super power what would it be? If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If you had a millions dollars what would you buy? How many earthquakes have you been in? 1? 2? 3? 4? 5? You can say you were taking care of me when you were in your 5th earthquake after I join the NBA and get famous!".....Are all boys like this at 13? Geez. They are so cute when they are babies. We had another earthquake today, a 4.3 or something, but I slept through it.

My Great Aunt Dorris passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 84. She lived a long life and touched many peoples hearts. Below, is a picture of the last quilt she made for Ethan before she passed. Rest in peace, Aunt Dorris! You will be missed. See you when I get there.

Looking forward...

....for this movie to come out this summer.

"My Sister's Keeper" in theaters June 26, 2009

Chloe

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. It is really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. As I wrote that farewell column to Marley, I realized it was all right there in front of us, if only we opened our eyes. Sometimes it takes a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see."
— John Grogan, Marley & Me

home is where the heart is

I had the best trip home! It went by way too fast, but I am so grateful that I was able to spend 7 days with my family and friends in Southern Illinois. Ethan and I bonded, and I have to say he is absolutely perfect. Such a sweet baby boy. I miss him already!! It's funny and heartwarming to see Nat & Dave as parents. They are doing such a great job. I took some great pictures of him while I was home. He loves his Aunt Syd.

Ethan Joseph Fry

After fighting and recovering from what I think was pneumonia (I slept the first 2 days I was home until I fully recovered and was able to see the baby), I had dinner & drinks with "Cousin Kate" (Kate Nelson) in Carbondale. It was so good to catch up with her! We chatted over a bottle of wine and a steak dinner at Global Gourmet. Later that night, I headed back to Harrisburg to hit up a short road trip with Maegan, Larra, Tyler, and Grady. We got home just before a heavy spring thunderstorm (which I loved!).

Kate & I

Grady & I

The next day, Nicole drove down from St. Louis to spend the night in So. Ill with me. She is such a good friend! I feel so lucky that we have become such good friends. She makes an excellent travel buddy (we are heading to Corpus Christi at the end of June). We hung out with the Harrisburg crew that night, did the usual road trip, and fell asleep trying to watch Benjamin Button. The next day we witnessed the INLAND HURRICANE OF 09'. I got a little bit of it on video, but the video doesn't do it justice & really isn't even that great. Marion was destroyed (seriously looked like a hurricane hit) and Nat and Dave came to live with us for the next 3 days because power is still out in Marion (It worked out nicely though because I got to spend more time with them). We didn't have power for about 12 hours at the house in Harrisburg, but luckily we didn't get hit as hard as Marion did. Pretty sure they are STILL without power in some parts. Here's the clip I got of some of the 100mph wind gusts. We met up with the Gaskins, Maegan, & Hayley at the elks for catfish and beer that night. Gotta love going to the Elk's on a Friday night with some of your favorite people...there's nothing better!

Inland Hurricane 09': View from the Gardner House

Maegan & Hayley

Darlene & Mom

Grady & I

We had a Mother's Day celebration at my house which was nice. We grilled out, sat by the pool, and enjoyed each other's company. I am so grateful and lucky to have such a wonderful (and gorgeous) mother and grandmother!! I also got to meet my new cousin, Kamdyn - who is sweet as ever! His red hair is so adorable and he smiles so much! I got some good pics of him too. Destiny & Kory are doing well & are doing a great job at parenting. It's funny seeing Kory as a dad. His comment's are hilarious...

Kamdyn Ray Stricklin

My trip home was short but sweet. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends. Home truly is where the heart is. I have the best family ever! I miss everyone so much already!! I'm back in LA and headed into work tonight. Hopefully I will get back on my normal schedule soon! My sleep schedule is a little whacked out right now with the 2 hour time difference and being awake during the day. I am getting back into my normal routine for the next 3 weeks and just gonna take it easy. I feel like I haven't worked in forever...I was in Vegas, then got sick, and then went home. I love my job schedule though! I cannot complain a bit ;) I'll be visiting St.Louie in 3 weeks for my friend Linsday's birthday. Can't wait to head back to the ol' stomping ground!