Stay-Cation!

Last Thursday was my first day of my vacation? What have I accomplished since then? Nothing really. I've been really tired...just catching up on sleep. Cleaned the house a bit (then the pup decides to pee all over the place after I do so). Had some friends over Saturday night for taco night. It was supposed to be a movie and game night, but we all passed out on the couch before 10pm. Lame.

Each evening also has consisted of trying out a new Pinterest meal or dish. So far I've been successful! I'm obsessed with that website.

Excited for the second half of my vacay! Tomorrow night I'm getting together with some of my favorite work girls for a holiday dinner. Then Thursday morning, hubby, Mark, Genna, and I will be heading down to Disneyland!

I'm so excited! I've never been there during Christmas time, only the past 2 years during Halloween. I'm getting all giddy and emotional just thinking about it!

I'm also getting prepared to host Christmas Day brunch at our house with both sides of the family. Christmas shopping is barely done. Menu planning has barely started. I'm lazy. I'm sure once it's down to the wire, I'll get my butt into gear. At least I'm just writing Christmas cards now, yeah? "/

Sorry for the lack of updates. Work has been busy, I've been lazy. And the holidays are here. 'Nuff said.

After a wonderful (and filling!) Turkey Day with both sides of the families, the hubby and I quickly got ready for our favorite holiday...Christmas! Got our tree up and decorated and stockings are hung (along with all of my other holiday decor.

Kee was dead-set on flocking our tree last year. I had to firmly stand my ground. He tried to bring it up again this year. I said (enter guilt trip), Do you want our new puppy to die from eating flock? It will be YOUR FAULT.

So after a trip to Home Depot, we found a can of frost instead. I compromised. And the tree actually looks really pretty with touches of frost in a can on the tips (but I'll never admit it, of course). Then we decided to make a snowman on our front porch window...complete with little tree branch arms.

I love Christmas so much. I love singing Christmas songs and making holiday yummies. And wrapping presents beautifully. What are your favorite holiday traditions?

Blessed.

I really, truly am extremely blessed. I look around at the amazing people in my life...and where I am at in life. It still amazes me. I never want to forget how lucky I really am.

<3

One year down...

Many many more to go, God-willing.

Hubby and I just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. It wasn't easy. It was a wonderful year, but we had to deal with a lot of drama (outside of the two of us) that a newly married couple just shouldn't have to deal with. It put a lot of unnecessary strain on our marriage early on. But hey, we both got through it. I think communication on both ends has improved significantly, which has made all the difference. We haven't killed each other yet. Always a good thing.

We spent our one year in Carmel. Pictures to come shortly.

I need to get up and make some yummy treats for our Halloween party this evening. Can't wait to party with many of my favorites.

Oh, you do that?

http://insideout.wbur.org/documentaries/nursingshortage/whyistay.asp

The link is a story about a veteran ICU nurse talking about one of her busy assignments for the day. I read it and thought "That sounds like almost every day in our ICU." Minus the fact that instead of women, we have mostly males, and they are not usually in their 30s.

I wanted to repost it because I feel like if you do not work in our unit, or even if you are not a nurse, you really have no idea of what we go through. For example, a couple of weeks ago I came home from work to find my sister-in-law, her husband, and their 3 kids all playing video games in the living room. The house, for the most part, was pretty tidy. I was relieved that I didn't have to clean up after them. I was exhausted after a long 12 hour shift, most of it stuck in a respiratory isolation room in which I had to wear a special mask . They asked why I looked so tired and so horrible (gee thanks). Maybe because my CO2 was up and I was going to pass out soon? So I explain to them about my day. And the response I get?

Oh, you do that?

Um yes, I take care of 1-2 patients, many of which are on ventilators, with lines and tubes coming out from everywhere, that are on a shit ton of medications to keep them sedated, to keep their blood pressures up or down, to get their glucose levels within an acceptable range, to make them pee...etc etc etc.

My favorite is when people assume I just wipe ass all day. Nope. I do so much more than that.

I just wish more people would take the time to really know what we do so maybe they would have a better appreciation for what we do. So that's why I reposted that link. Maybe someone will read it and have a little insight into just what we go through.

</end rant>

Fall is the new Spring...

...for weddings!

In a few weeks will be the one-year anniversary of KeeKeeMonster and my fall wedding. There's something about the warm colors and cool weather that is just beautiful and gives weddings a different feel.

This past weekend we kicked off our fall wedding season with the union of JoAnn and Chris. I've never been to a traditional Greek wedding ceremony before. It was looooong, but I found it kind of cool. I love religious ceremonies just because of the traditions and reverence of them.

Here they are after the crowning ceremony. They first hold these candles throughout the ceremony. Then the Koumbara (sp?)...the person who pretty much acts like the Godmother for their future children, no pressure ;) ) places the crowns joined by a single ribbon on their heads. Then they walk around the table together. The ceremony also included many prayers, drinking wine from a single cup, exchanging the rings multiple times...etc.

Like I said...kind of neat.

Here are the happy newlyweds...Mr. & Mrs Christopher Cruz!

After the ceremony we waited around outside the church for a while. Hubby wanted to see them drive off in the hot rods they all rode up in. He just wanted to see the finished flat-black truck that he did the body work on. ;)

Hubby at the Sheraton for the reception.

Crystal, Me, Joc (bridesmaid), the Bride JoAnn, Stacy, Holly, & Megan.

It was a super fun wedding. It was awesome hanging out with a bunch of old friends we haven't seen in a minute. And I danced my little ass off. My feet still hurt...a sign of good times.

Time to get it done

When I got really sick 2 weeks ago, I made an appointment to see my MD. We won't discuss the fact that she misdiagnosed me with Strep when I had no white patches, a slight reddened throat, a cough, and nasal congestion! Hello?!

Anyways, my point was that I weighed in at...156 pounds? WTF? *SAD FACE*

So I'm fat now. Can't work out because I feel like crap. Heading to Vegas in a week (at that time). So I made the decision that after we got back from our trip, I was going to change it up.

I started Weight Watchers.

Why? Well, Kee's sister and dad are both doing it, and they've both lost 20+ pounds already. I can do that too! I thought it was going to be harder than what it is. Sure, it's a little tough. I find it the hardest to go through all my foods not listed and assign points values to them. So far I've been under my daily points, which is nice. And it helps that my co-worker is doing it as well. She's done the old system and now is doing the new system, so I go to her for advice and tips.

And now that I'm better...back to the gym!

I will be documenting my weight loss and the experience here as time allows. Wish me luck!!

Why I love my husband...

...reason #50934250947

...He sings songs from Disney movies with me in the car!

Now that's love.

Happy 11 year Meet-A-Versary boosh. <3

As a nurse working in an ICU with seriously ill patients, sometimes it's nice to not be there and be the one who's taken care of instead.

I've been sick these past few days. I was feeling fine, then I woke up Wednesday morning with a sore throat and nasal congestion. It went downhill from there. Apparently I'm not the only one at work who's sick right now. Something is going on.

Anyways, so we had some family from Oahu that is visiting this week, so my mom wanted me to go over there to see them. I haven't seen them since I was maybe 3 or 4 years old. I told her I wasn't feeling good. She said come over anyways. Then dad gets on the phone. "The surround sound isn't working. Can you fix it?" I tell him I'm not feeling good, and that I don't know if I'm coming over. "Just come over for 5 minutes and fix it."

Then I start throwing a pity party for myself. And I think I took it out on husband.
No one cares if I'm feeling good! I'm always the one having to take care of others, but no one ever takes care of me!

I know I was being overly-sensitive at the time because he does take excellent care of me, making sure I get the food I'm wanting and getting enough rest. I was just tired, frustrated...over it.

As nurses, we spend most of our time taking care of others, meeting the needs of others...investing all of our time and emotions in the care of others, that we don't really take that time out for ourselves. It took me getting sick myself to get that time.

Thank goodness for husband however. He was going to host a bday party on Sunday at our house for his grandfather. I was supposed to clean for that. He cancelled. He has gone into town every day after work to get my favorite foods...Thai, Chinese, and tonight will be Pho.

I'm definitely appreciative of him. I know I take him for granted sometimes, and don't show my appreciation. It's just one of the many things I need to work on. I'll get there. ;)

Saw this at Green Wedding Shoes and I just HAD to share. One of the most awesome, creative weddings I've ever seen. If I could do it all over again...well I would have to steal some ideas. ;)

Do you ever want to review the list of people in your life and remove the ones that don't need to be there, either because they don't treat your right or just the fact that their personal drama is driving you crazy? Because I'm currently doing that!

I have way to many good things in my life going on right now where I don't need to add other people's melodrama into the mix of things. Seriously, they complain and feel sorry for themselves...when in fact they are the ones doing it to themselves! So frustrating.

But that's all done now because you are officially out!

I think I'm just tired. Work has been frustrating. A co-worker and I were saying that we had invisible cloaks on yesterday because it felt like no one wanted to acknowledge us or even ask our opinion on anything.

Um, hello! WE know the patient WAY better than you do. WE are trying to help YOU out.

And then you have the times when you WISH you had an invisibility cloak on...as in when you're trying to get something done or go on a break and you have the annoying intern asking you to do stupid things. Really though?

As much as I'm trying to stay positive at work...it's really tough. ESPECIALLY when you have a co-worker tell you that you need to be perkier. WTF? Like I told her, I'm the effin perkiest person on the damn unit! Thank you very much.

The only things keeping me sane right now are my incredible hubby, my wonderful family, my amazing friends, a glass of wine or a margarita ;)...and Zumba/ cardio kick mornings. I'm sooo glad I'm heading back to the gyms and doing fun classes on off days. It's like a breath of fresh air.

I have 4 days off from work starting today. Looking forward to date night with another friend couple of ours, Santa Cruz tomorrow for boardwalk fun, and the Wharf to Wharf run on Sunday. This is just what I need.

Work has been insane these past few weeks...maybe even months. Yesterday was probably one of the nicest, fun days we've had in a really long time. Yes, it was a Sunday. Before we could at least look forward to the weekends being a little more laid back...but that wasn't the case during the last few weeks.

It was just...fun. The patients are pretty much the same (sick...same players). We do have a new team of docs coming in who are really nice and good. The people you work with definitely make a huge difference. And the fact that we all work really well together, help each other out...it makes ALL the difference.

Add in that we were all going craaaazy pants yesterday...and you get a really good day, full of free chocolate, watching a certain roasting on youtube, and some crazy ladies doing planks on the floor.

Those days are nice...like a breath of fresh air. Because for a while there I was getting burned out and bitter. But now I feel like I can do this again for the next 20+ years! ha. Maybe...

I got a new camera yesterday, thanks to the hubby! It's a Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. It's got some good nerdy, technical features, but slightly larger than a compact point-and-shoot. I absolutely love it. I wanted to play, so I took this pic of the fabulous peonies I got a few days ago.

Then hubby and I decided to have a photo shoot in the bathroom. I absolutely adore him and am extremely blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life.

I started going back to church last week. I must say, it's been an incredible thing being back. It's opening my eyes to changes I need to make, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's opened my eyes to just how blessed and how good I have it. And much more appreciative.

Recently...

I turned 28. I'm officially in my late 20's.

Went to Kauai for my bday/honeymoon. We had a fantastic time. Pics to come.

Came home to find that my parents lost my dog. It's been 3 weeks now and no sign of him. I'm depressed.

Work has been hellacious. I don't know we are so busy lately. All I know is that I'm exhausted after every shift.

My biological clock is ticking. Not really, but the the idea of having a baby is heavily on my mind. It's not because everyone around me is having a baby. I think I'm just ready. Next year...

Hopefully I'll be taking the CCRN by October of this year. It's about time to get on it.

And as much as I hate to say this, and really don't want to do it...I'm seriously considering pursuing my Masters now. BLAH! ha.

Randomness...done!

As I said before, I'm officially Tricia Williams. I did that official change 2 days ago. Here I am, on my 3rd of 3 wonderful days off...and I'm still dealing with all the changes I have to make associated with changing my name.

I've gotten most of my  credit cards and accounts taken care of.
DMV...check.
Board of Nursing...check.
Going to work today to get change it there...(and participate in the ICU taco party!)

Still have to...
...do my bank account and order new checks
...change my car registration/title for the new name
...change the name on the house deed and mortgage

It kind of is a pain in the ass. Boys have it so much easier. I admit, it would've been so much easier to just keep my name. I wouldn't have to go through all of this nonsense.

However, I am extremely proud to be Keenan's wife and I would like to show the whole world that by taking his last name. So I'll do all the work, deal with all the people, make all the phone calls and visits because it's soooo worth it to me.

And now I will claim Nilo [our dog] as my own...Nilo Williams. My wolfpack has grown by two.
-Keenan

=)

Officially official!

Yes, I am now officially officially Tricia Molina Williams. Thank you Manteca Social Security office and Tracy DMV for making this a quick, pain-free process. Was done with everything in just over 2 hours.

And I just realized that it's my 2 year nurse-a-versary at the VA. Yes, I've been working there for what will be 4 years in July...but as a nurse, it's 2 years today! Times flies....

30 day photo challenge

I started doing the 30 day photo challenge on facebook. You post a picture each day according to the assignment. I'm on day 8 as of today. I figured I'd post it here too because it's fun and pretty interesting. And at least my posts won't be super lame like they usually are.

So...Day 8: A picture that makes you laugh

A lovely moment from my Bachelorette party in South Lake Tahoe. There were so many bachelorettes there, such as this fine man, lady.

"Is that a tranny?"

That's Amore!

Last week the hubby and I had mid-week Pizza Night at our best friend couple's house. We couldn't stop singing, hence the title.

We made some delicious pizzas, complete with homemade dough!

Hubby had too much fun. He even threw the dough up in the air. I wish I could've gotten a shot of that!

Marky Mark

Genna opening up some vino =)

Hubby's and my combo

Their dog, Ryder, trying to get in on the action.

<3-shaped

all done!

Wine, pizza, and amazing friends. Perfect night.



...blah.

...here we go again.

really though? did you have too much happiness and good stuff going for you that you had to go mess everything up?! do you just like the drama?!

...again i say...i told you so.

wish i could say these things to the person, but i will keep my mouth shut.

why i love my husband, reason #2

...even though he says he hates "my" dog, every morning he get Nilo's food & water ready and plays with him before we both leave for work. He does this so I can take my time to get ready and not have to rush. Or he does it also so I'm not in a bad mood and pissy at him at him the rest of the day. Either way, it's awfully sweet of him.

We booked a romantic getaway for this weekend in Monterey. We're staying at the Spindrift Inn on Cannery Row. Can't wait to get away for a couple of days, just the two of us. =)

just can't get enough...

....of weddings!

I had the holidays to fill the post-wedding void. But now that they're over, I feel like I need something else in my life. Hubby and I were playing around with the idea of starting a wedding services business to do on the side. I loved the photo booth vendor we had at our wedding. The creator of that particular business has a few other services that they offer. We could do that!

We were thinking of maybe starting our own photo booth company and maybe offering services on weekends. It would be based in Tracy, Livermore, Pleasanton. Then we thought we could offer wedding/event planning and coordination! (since I loved the process so much) and then getting other up-and-coming vendors, such as photogs, florists, bakers, to refer our clients to. And we could offer beauty services since I know a few very good hair and makeup artists.

It's just a thought for now...

happy birthday, daddOo!

Yes, today is my daddy's day of birth, so I want to give props to him! He is 67 today and as fabulous as ever. I swear, Filipinos...as we get older, we get crazier, but in a good way.

It was tough growing up with a traditional, older, Filipino father. Plus, my dad had 3 other kids from a previous marriage. Their mom kept them from my dad for so long, so really he didn't know how to be a good dad all those years. He was tough on my sister and I, always stressing the importance on school, education, being a good girl...so we could grow up and be independent and successful, not having to depend on a man to take care of us. We could do it ourselves (okay so maybe momma had a say in that, too). But yes, it was tough. We couldn't do a lot of things that other kids our age were doing. We would cry allll the time because he was sooo hard on us when it came to homework. He didn't show us the affection that we wanted...looking back on it, I just don't think he knew how.

Years have passed. We've grown up. We've finished school. We have great jobs. We have our own homes. We have meaningful relationships and great men in our lives. And now daddy is finally loosening up. He's truly enjoying life and time spent with his family. And I couldn't be happier. This was the man I've been waiting to see all my life. Thank goodness he's brought him out now.

Love you, daddy! =)

2011 Resolutions

I never did make any resolutions for the upcoming year. How silly of me. I usually never do. Or if I do, it's usually the same thing...

I'll exercise more.

I'll eat better.

I'll lose some weight.

Okay, so thse things still apply in the new year.

Except this time around, I'm keeping a food and exercise log to really keep me up on it. It's amazing how you really watch what you eat when you have to log it in. Thank goodness for my food/exercise tracker app to keep me honest. HOTT SEXY 2011 is the theme. I want to get nice and fit before we go to Hawaii in May. My goal is to be down to 120-125 by May. I think it's doable.

I definitely want to do more runs this year. Already signed up for Bay to Breakers 12k in May. Will do the Plate to Plate 5k (usually in June-August). I really want to do the Nike's Half Marathon in October. I don't think I'll be ready for the full marathon this year. Maybe next. I'm looking for one to do in either March or April. I just want to be really healthy and active this year.

I want to work on my relationships...be a better wife/daughter/sister/friend. I think there's always room for improvement.

I want to work on my relationship with God. I'm not going to become a Jesus freak fanatic, but read the Bible more and start going to church when I can. Just become an all-around better person.

I think these are all things that are reasonable.

What are you resolutions for 2011?

Happy 2011

I can't believe that 2010 is over and we are in 2011 now. The year went by so quickly. Where do I begin...

In December 2009/January 2010, Kee and I dove in to serious wedding planning and also started house hunting again. We put an offer down on a short-sale in January. I thought the process was going to take months, but it got accepted. after a few weeks. We closed in March. We moved into our very first home March 16.

                                                        In March we also got this little guy:

 Nilo-pOofs on the right.

 Too bad Rosie momma isn't with us anymore. =(

In May, I celebrated by 27th birthday. Man I'm getting old. One of my most favorite things of 2010 were al of the fun get-togethers we have had in our new home.

I went to a few weddings: 

Kenny & Janae Taylor - June 2010

Fred & Nga Lee - August 2010

Daniel & Mertled Gomes - September 2010

I did some runs, not nearly as many as I wanted to:

Bay to Breakers 12k- May 2010

Plate to Plate 5k - June 2010 

Tracy Dry Bean Run 5k - September 2010

In September and October all of my most favorite activities came up...

September 26: My bridal shower at Faz in Pleasanton. My BMs:

Caroline, Mary, Tiffany, Jocelyn [Stevi missing]

October 8-10: My bachelorette celebration in South Lake Tahoe. With Tiff and Stevi =)

Out at the clubs. Us girls...and Genna came, too! (And Joleen, but I can't find any pictures with her in it!)

Yay for free margaritas!

October 17: 2 of my work besties threw me a shower. Thanks Melissa and Nga. I seriously could not have gotten through the year at work without them.

On October 22, after a fun rehearsal dinner, we had a fabulous last night of single-dom at Mary's beautiful home...and danced partied all night to "We No Speak Americano."

Then, on October 23rd...

I became Mrs Williams. It was the funnest night of my life!

my favorite ladies. thank you for making it such a special process/weekend.

 Two days later, with new rings on our fingers, we headed down to Southern California for our first honeymoon...

yay for Disneyland! 

For 2 days, we hit up Disneyland, California Adventure, and Universal Studios. Then we went down to San Diego for another 2 days for Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. We had sooo much fun being kids again after taking the most grown-ups step in both of our lives.

We celebrated the holidays as a married couple. And even hosted our first joint family Christmas gathering in our home. It was stressful, but to have both sides there and getting along...it was wonderful.

2010 was definitely amazing, but I'm ready to see what 2011 has in store for us. Can't wait....