Needs vs. Wants

ok here is the deal. type "(your name) needs" into Google and click search. write down the first 10 things that come up!

1. Heather needs two therapists
2. Heather needs to grow up
3. Heather needs a childhood
4. Heather needs to find the right balance between emotions and logic
5. Heather needs a bodyguard
6. Heather needs a family
7. Heather needs a bigger cup to hide behind
8. Heather needs sex help
9. Heather needs gatorade
10. Heather needs a vacation

amen for #10!!!!

Then I decided to google "Heather wants"

1. Heather wants to grab his booty
2. Heather wants more -$50 million is not enough
3. Heather wants you to know
4. Heather wants a new job
5. Heather wants a quiet life
6. Heather wants another 'shot at happiness'
7. Heather wants Reese to star in the story of her life
8. Heather wants 'hush money'
9. Heather wants to go home
10. Heather wants you to come by her bar

I think my google wants are more realistic than my google needs. Try it!

Catching up!

Sorry for the lag! Things have been a little stressful around here with new rotations, old rotations, and the job hunt. But there is good news - I have two job offers! I have not yet accepted or declined either one, because I just got the second one yesterday and I didn't want to turn down the first without having a back up! But now, a new job in a wonderful sunny warm location has just popped up to complicate things further. I am trying to find out all the details about the job and work out an interview ASAP. I don't want to string along the other offers, but I can't take a job without seeing the place and meeting the people - though the ones I have spoken to on the phone seem really great. It's really stressful, especially because I don't like to negotiate, but I hope to have a definite job in the next two weeks!

In Memory - Janurary 19, 2000

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

Today marks nine years since the dorm fire at Seton Hall that claimed the life of a dear friend, John Giunta.  It's hard to believe so much time has passed since that terrible day, how much has changed and how much is still the same.  It's not something I often talk about, but it was an experience that really changed me.

John was a kind, gentle-hearted person who wanted to be a teacher and help kids with special needs.  He was goofy, smart, family-oriented and played the trumpet.  He would have been gone far and I'm thankful to have had him in my life even for only two years.  

Sometimes while gazing at the stars, I've felt his presence and it always makes me smile.  As always, you're gone but not forgotten.  

Travel woes

I love to travel, but I wish it hadn't become such a hassle.  This past weekend, I traveled to Rochester, MN.   It was a simple, easy trip last time, but not this time.

I was flying out Sunday, and a snowstorm was expected to bring 7-10 inches to the area late Saturday into Sunday.  First, I tried to see how much it would be to change my flight to beat the storm.  Cost: $1800.00.  Absolutely ridiculous, pass on that idea.  I was able to get to the airport easily on Sunday, even though the highways weren't in the best condition.  My flight out of Hartford was on time.  Once I got to Detroit, my 3:30p flight to Rochester was originally on time.  then it was delayed two hours.  Then it was totally cancelled (mechanical problems) and I was automatically rescheduled on a flight out the next day.   I needed to get out that night, so I got on a flight to Minneapolis that left in 5 hours.   Everything seemed on time - we boarded at the right time...then minutes turned to hours and we were still at the gate.  Ice was preventing the plane from being pushed back from the gate, so we were rocking back and forth for a while.   After finally pushing back and being de-iced, we took off about 2 hours late, and I finally made it to Minneapolis at 9:30, and checked into my hotel at 11:30pm (12:30a EST).

On the way home, my flight out of Rochester was delayed.  The airline hired a bus (that had wifi!) to take all the passengers to Minneapolis.  This worked out alright - I got through security, and made it to my gate just as the plane was about to start boarding.  Luckily, we took off on time and didn't even have to be de-iced (which is strange because it was well below freezing).  

Normally, I travel with Southwest airlines and with the exception of mis-connecting on my return from Houston, I haven't had many problems with them.  They don't charge for checking bags (no airline should in my opinion) and I think it's a well run company.  This time I was traveling Northwest, which was just bought out by Delta.  I had issues with Delta last year, so I'm not too surprised.   I've traveled American before but only when I have to.  I like United/US Airways but they tend to be out of my price range.  

Who do you trust with your travel?  

Sorry for such a long rant!! 

In search of my first paycheck (as a PA)

I've been looking at PA jobs for about a year, and toying with applying for the "perfect job" if it comes along for 6 months.  Now it's almost exactly 4 months from graduation, a few of my classmates have lined up their jobs, and it's time to seriously start applying and interviewing.  One thing I've learned is that you really need to be persistant with follow ups, especially when the only contact you have is someone in HR.  I did a bunch of followups today, so hopefully they will pay off tomorrow.  I've also learned is that it's not as easy to get the interview as I thought.  Sometimes they are picky and don't want a new graduate, even though the ad says "new graduates welcome to apply".  Sometimes I'm picky about whether it is the kind of job I want.   Even though I know it is harder to find, I'd really like to get a job where I'm involved in autopsies along with complex surgicals.  I want to be in a setting where I will learn and can teach.  I learned so much at my first rotation, then went to places where I felt like they weren't as interested in teaching.  I am back in a stimulating setting where I get quizzed and learn new things every day, and I like it. 

Anyway, this whole search is a bit exhausting and I'm starting to feel like I've been reading the same ads over and over.  Part of me wishes I was really really set on going back to one location, but I am being pretty flexible and putting location 2nd.  I've inquired about jobs on both coasts, in the North and South...who knows where I will end up.  I'm excited to make that decision, but I am also looking forward to the decision making being done with.  Don't ya just love making decisions :) 

New year, new blog!

I've been reading my friends' blogs for quite some time now and I have been inspired to start my own.  I used to have one back in college, but I can't recall why I stopped.   Anyway, I hope to use this as a way to keep distant friends up to date and visa verca.  Happy New Year!! 

PS - can you believe it is already 2009?? Almost 4 years since I graduated from college...where has the time gone!