the Holidays.

The holidays are here..ohh myy. I dont know, it still feels like summer to me so I dont really feel too Holiday-ish. Plus jus been working working working these past couple days as well so that threw me off.

Everyday at work has been a learning experience. & what I thought was such an easy job, I have found isnt as easy as I thought..but hey, what do you expect out of nursing right? I wasnt comfortable when I first started, when through all those feelings of being a "new girl," not knowing where anything is or how anything works. But everyday has been slowly getting better, thank the Lord. I am learning the right way to deal with patients and families here, which is so much different oddly enough. What my manager told me is a lot of mainlanders unintentionally come off as "snobby" if you dont have "Aloha spirit." At first I was like huh??! but dealing with more families and patients, I know what she means. It is really a culture shock working here!! But other than that, my coworkers are all very cool for the most part..happy about that:)

hmm, Been missing home more than lately recently. It sometimes come to the point where sometimes I wondered if I could be happier here, or if I made the wrong decision in moving here. The biggest thing affecting me is not having my family around after having them around and so close to me for my whole life. I think about Inang a lot and always wonder how she's doing, and feel so happy everytime I talk to her on the phone; about my sisters and how I dont know whats 'cool' anymore cuz they knew all the new trends in fashion/music; about my Mom/Dad & how they are doing.... but I have realized that it's mostly because the holidays are around. Holidays are a time mostly for family for me...so I am so happy to be going home next week. I also know that if God didnt want for this to happen, it wouldnt have happened. The move here aligned so perfectly for all of us, I cant help but believe there is reason to me/us living here.

So I have decided to go home enjoy myself and everything I miss about San Diego, and come back to Hawaii refreshed and in a newer, fresh state of mind. A mindset where I know I am here to grow as a person..diversify myself..grow up. I want to hang out with people I wouldnt normally feel comfortable hanging out with, expose myself to the culture here, do things I have never done. I guess I was coming to the point here where I was getting into my own comfort 'bubble' again over here...which defeated the whole purpose of me coming here. I was always hanging out with the same people, turning down invitations from coworkers, getting into a routine of work and 'whatever'...always comparing how "i had so much friends at home and now I have only a handful" haha...pretty much not taking control of making the best of my situation. Because ultimately it is up to ME how this whole experience turns out!!

So all this is a result of a looott of self-reflection on my one hour commutes to and from work stuck in traffic!! Don't get me wrong, I am still having lots of fun/learning a lot over here....but I just know that there is so much more potential in this experience:) I know the first couple months is like a big speed bump, but I am very optimistic that things will only get better. It's funny..I always thought I was mentally stronger but I feel Im probably having the hardest time of my roommates..but it's nothing a big one week dose of HOME cannot fiX!

See you soon=) chhheeeeeeeee-hooo! haha.

Adjusting..

so everyone is here. Me, Jamie, Daisy, & Amber!

Weve all been adjusting..getting used to living with each other..while getting used to living over here in Hawaii. I cant believe it's been two months. Time is going soo fast. While we were signing our rental agreement, I guess it put the time frame in perspective for us...we'll be here until May 2012. An 18 month contract, 2012?!!!!

Sometimes I still imagine this a big vacation and I get to go back to SD to my old job, and live back with my family..haha. But this is REALITY!!! This is what we all wanted. & even if this is what I wanted, I still can't help but miss home sometimes. We were talking about it the other day. It's a different feeling living away from family..knowing that life goes on with or without you at home. Giselle is still gonna grow up & wont stay a baby forever...& I likely will miss out on the birth of my up n coming niece/nephew =( (yes, Papic is preggo!!) & even if Im here with my really good friends, I still miss my other friends. Even if we never hung out all the time, being away makes me really appreciate the things/people I took for granted I guess.

So it's us four...& even if homesickness is a factor..I try not to make it a big factor. I already knew it wasnt gonna be easy these first few months!! Ive been warned!! So I try not to let it get the best of me, and live it up while I'm here! We been trying to explore the island, go to different beaches, go out and meet different people. Saw pretty huge waves on the North Shore for my first time! Still working on making some worthwhile friends here who wont think were too crazy tho:P The place is starting to look more and more like a home...we really do NEED a TV tho, haha. Jamie went to some filipino store in WAIPAHUuuuu! haha, and got all these filipino stuff: longonisa, sukang maasim, sinigang packets, patis. LOL. sooo that was coool..we had Longonisa this morning and sisig, *burrrrp!

A few days ago, I took care of a pastor who moved here from the mainland 20 yrs ago, who seriously touched my heart. He was a wise man, had a lot of good things to say about life, myself, and my move to Hawaii. Pretty much reassured me that we made the right decision in moving here. He told me the people here are one of a kind--that I'll never meet people more amazing...& I must say everyone here has been so nice to all of us girls. Truly a lot of Aloha everywhere we go. He also told me that we were very brave to move away and that first 3-6 months would be the hardest, adjusting to the different culture and life here, esp. being away from our families. But he told me after pushing thru that first 6 months, we'll start to put our heads up and actually look around and appreciate everything/everyone around us...then once we stop comparing things to home, then that's when Hawaii will finally feel like a home for us..........

But for now....let the Vacation continue!;) hahaa, jk. Aloha!

Koko Isle

Alas, we have internet!!=)

Since we came back from the wedding, we settled into our place over here at Koko Isle Circle. The weather has been windy and rainy, but for the last few days, has cleared up aside from the tradewinds. Although it is a trek driving to and from work, I must say that i LOVE where we live! Nice to wake up to a nice breeze, nice view, nice neighborhood. Everything is close to us aside from work, so cant complain so much! I cant wait till Daze and Amber get here so our house will be complete with roommates!! Me and Jamie barely see each other cuz of our opposite schedules, so at least I'll have another nightshifter Daze to explore the island with on my days off!

Slowly, the house is becoming a home. Started by getting things like utensils, rice cooker, coffeemaker, pots.....then a bed, sheets...and a couch today! haha. All we really NEED is a nice TV for the living room and a dining table since its looking like were all sticking around for turkey day.

Im trying to go home for Christmas..I reallly realllly want to! So hopefully my requested schedule pulls through. Anyways, here are some of our visitors=) HAHA, just Kat n Mike but philberts here so hopefully I can add more.

Beautiful Kaua'i!

one of the wettest spots on earth below

so pretty, you can take helicopter tours here

the grand canyon of the pacific

famous for their red dirt

Wailua River

Beautiful Hanalei bay

Birthday Eve

This will be my first birthday away from most of my friends and family. I was supposed to work tonight but for some GREAT reason, they decided to put me on standby. They said they will try not to call me but Im just happy to be kind of off for now. My family sang happy birthday to me on Skype and I thought it was super gay, but when I hung up with them I was by myself and it was all of a sudden quiet--THOSE are the times when Im like damn, I wish I can just go home.

But other than those moments, it's been good. Went to Buffalo Wild Wings yesterday to watch the UH game..kinda a big deal around here. I must say it was an exciting game though. Been missing the Chargers games tho?! I guess its good considering we lost to two pretty shitty teams huh?? Anyways, Going home on Thursday! Crazy how Ruth is getting married..so happy for her though. Gary is a cool guy and Im excited for the wedding although I wish I could be smaller! lol. ANNND Im turning 26...and Im starting to realize FINALLY that were getting old. 26. So not a cool sounding age. Just sounds O-L-D. haha.

Anyways got myself a little birthday present:)

A Hello Kitty beach bag! Isnt it cute? haha.

Anywayss....see everyone this weekend!!

This is a video footage of our new place:) Im excited to move in. Hope you guys are all planning your vacays!!:)

WORK&HOME

So I am officially on my own at work, and I must say it is NOT as intimidating as I thought it was. The doctors are 10X nicer than scripps, and everyone on my shift is really helpful. I also have a lot more autonomy to do things (i.e. adjust vent settings, actually having central lines, giving more drugs). The whole charting thing is on computer which I am NOT used to..but I can get used to it. I guess you can say everyone works around the Nurse over there, haha. We get one critical care tech who does all my sugars, I&Os, watches my rhythms...and all i have to do is click "confirm" for whatever he does for me. Then I have a nurse assistant who does my other stuff like change diapers, linens, etc. The RT does my EKGs, really good about doing my oral care & suctioning...meanwhile, I'm sitting there like UHHHH.....i feel like Im not doing anything but charting. Haha, but we'll see how it goes?!! I only worked three nights.

Traffic is crazy here. I dont remember this much traffic on all my vacations here. But sometimes, it could take you 20 minutes to drive 5 miles cuz everything is so backed up. I also got my first speeding ticket going...SIXTY MPH! haha. it was on my first day to work too. It was a 50mph zone. The officer noticed I just moved there cuz my Cali plates and registration, I was using my GPS, ANNND I had my scrubs on to the first day of work. I could tell he felt bad but he already wrote the ticket and just gave it to me...he SUCKS! Anyways, Im gonna write a letter to the judge explaining the circumstances and see if I can get a break.

Lastly, we finally found a place at Koko Isle Circle (that place on my other link). Were going to meet with the landlord today to finalize things, so everyone start planning your vacays!:) The place is really nice and Im excited to FINALLY have our own place. More pics to come! Anyways, coming home next week for Ruths wedding!! I have Thanksgiving weekend off but guess how much airfare is..1600?!!! WHOA! hopefully it might go down if i try to fly out last minute but well see! K time to go register my car finally. i Miss everyone at home...!

Lanikai

Today me and Jamie finally hung out..we went to Lanikai beach and had a very relaxing time chillin under my brand new Billabong beach umbrella=) Unfortunately, the beaches on that side of the island are known for Portugese man o'war...and jamie got stung by one! It was so small...we didnt even know what it was but we were both freaking out! Jamies arm got a few rashes....

Anyways, we were talking about what an exciting time of our lives it is. Everything so far is..."cherry" as they would say over here. haha. I've been having a lot of fun and cant wait till we get our own place...

speaking of, I think I fell in love with a place I just found on craigslist. Right on the water in Koko isle, looks perfect to me!!! SERIOUSLY. if we can get this place, i would be 100% happy!!!!!

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/apa/1993026927.html

week ONE

So it's been a week over here...a week of vacation!

Aside from a few errands here and there, my first week as a resident in Hawaii comprised mostly of finding things to do and familiarizing myself with everything (surprisingly I am always lost even if Ive been here sooo many times). I've been busy and havent given myself the chance to necessarily miss home yet...I mean occasionally I'll have a moment where I think about certain people and wish I see them real quick..but that was nothing that Skype couldn't take care of. I have never used my laptop soo much!! Haha.

I have my car here and it still has its California plates..Im having a few technical difficulties with registering my car here. Thinking about it, I have had to learn how to do a lot of "grown up things" by myself. Things like making sure my insurance policy complies with the state, registering my car, shipping my vehicle, going to rental showings and communicating with realtors, etc. Pretty much everything about moving here, I have had to figure out and fund for myself...an accomplishment for me I guess..thank God for google!!!

It hasn't 100% hit me that Im living here. But I guess since I started work today...Im thinking it will start to sink in. Today, we had a corporate orientation and honestly I am sooo impressed by how organized Hawaii Pacific Health is. The leaders are humble and seem to have a lot of integrity, the organization itself just seems to surpass all my expectations that I had for any hospital in Hawaii. They have an excellent reputation on the island which I have learned from speaking to some of the locals around here--patient satisfaction scores for inpatient and ED consistently remain in the 90th percentile throughout the fiscal year which is fucking unbelievable!!!(at least compared to Scripps) .. the people who were hired with me all seem like quality people...benefits are really good..and to wrap it up, I feel very lucky to have landed this job!! I am actually excited to work and see how this all ends up. It just feels like a serious step up from my previous workplace....like the breath of fresh air that Ive been wanting in my career. So thaaank you Lord for this opportunity=)

Other than that, just been hanging out. The food in Hawaii is seriously AMAZING! Honestly a lot of food in the hole-in-the-wall places tastes better than most food in San Diego. Like my taste buds dance everytime I eat here..one time I was actually doing a little dance while I was eating bc the food is just THAT good. But yesterday, I officially started a diet wedding:( Very minimal carbs, and running at least 30 mins everyday that I can.

My roomie has been pretty chill, haha. I am really thankful that me and Jamies roomies are letting us do this because we are saving sooo much money, but at the same time Im ready to get our own place and do our own thing. Soo I hope that we get a worthy place soon:) As long as my REAL future roomies (daisy/jamie/ber) get their job offers;) Surprisingly havent hung out with Jamie that much because were always doing different things and jamie is a mountain woman right now(jk) but well probably hang out tomorrow...Oh yeah, I went with Mike to Kaua'i for like 2 days..which is SO so beautiful btw. I also met his parents/grandparents..soo yeahh- i dunno, haha but that was cool. I will post pics of the garden island soon!

Aloha for now!

yahoo horoscopes

I dont know, it's uncanny to me how on point my yahoo horoscope has been lately..haha.

September 14, 2010

1. Libra (9/23-10/22)

   You're due for a brand new start in the department of family, home and emotions. Needless to say, there's a lot going on in your life, even if it isn't quite obvious to others at the moment. Do yourself a favor, though: Take the bull by the horns, and take the first step yourself. You'll be so proud of yourself that you may not even realize that you're just a teeny bit nervous about all this.

12 DAYS

12 days left to enjoy SD!!!

I am officially moved out of the only place Ive called home: Viewpoint DR! Now I'm living on some street name none of us really know how to pronounce! haha. I must admit, aside from the drive over here, it is pretty cool how everything is conveniently around..even most of my friends houses. But it's also weird because I cant get too comfortable here. Most of my boxes I'm leaving in boxes....annnd I dunno, its weird. haha. You guys should come over once its a lil less crazy here.

My coworkers threw me a sweet going away breakfast. Funny how when you leave, people tell you the most heartfelt and kind things about yourself. I remember when I first started, I used to sit at my desk/corner thinking "ughh Im the only young person here!" haha, but they have all grown on me! They have been super supportive since I was a rookie ICU nurse...always having my back when I didnt know what to do! LOL. I pray that my new coworkers are just as coool. I also have been calling in sick to use up my PSD(sick days) since I have 180 hours that I can't cash out. Feel bad, but everyone told me to do it. But I will be showing up to my last two days of work which are this Weds and Fri.

Anyways, time for dinner tonight! it's Been a while...cant wait!

it's really happening..

hello, so I decided I was going to start blogging here again. The other thing was giving me technical difficulties so I'll be typing here for now until I figure it out!

soo, AHHH! it's really happening. like really...reeallly. like omg! haha. sometimes i cant really wrap my head around it. thinking to myself..wtf am i doing?! the best analogy I can come up with is that my life was like a puzzle..neatly pieced together hanging in a pretty frame. then I got tired of looking at it and decide to throw it on the ground and now all the puzzle pieces are scattered all over the floor! haha. that is seriously how I felt when I first accepted the job, but slowly I have been able to piece things together & make a plan...so a lot of the anxiety has simmered down..and it's more bittersweet than anything. Ailene told me, "it's ok Maricel..the puzzle in the frame was just a kiddie puzzle with like 6 pieces...time for you to put together an adult puzzle." LOL.

I'm excited but I also feel sad for a lot of reasons. Number one being that I'll miss all my family and close friends. The rest of San Diego though, I can care less...and I can't wait to get away from you people! lol. Been trying to spend a lot of quality time with everyone (been mostly my family lately) and seems like the more time I spend..the more sad I feel knowing I'm leaving them. Like I hope Baby G wont forget me..I hope Inang will be fine..but ANYWAYS! I plan on going home frequently so I try not to worry about it. As for you my friends, I know we'll keep in touch. Everyone set up your skype accounts!:) & everyone start blogging again!

We are also in the active process of moving out of the place Ive called home for 26 years. The new place is pretty nice and I'm actually bummed I dont get to live there at all. I got downgraded to the smallest room in the house..:( The downstairs of my house is almost empty and they are going to start moving in the bedrooms this weekend. Siiiigh* My room is halfway packed..most of my things in boxes. Got rid of 2 large boxes of clothes and belongings I don't use/need (Amazing how easy junk/old clothes accumulate!). Soo yup, going to hawaii with a box of clothes! Alriiight! lol.

On the brighter side of things, I am so very excited! Happy Jamie is coming...Daisy is in the process of looking for a job..and my sisters friend, Amber is going to join along. It makes all the difference knowing you wont be alone! While I am there, I plan on visiting all the islands of Hawaii...and my new bucketlist of destinations while Im there include: Australia, New Zealand, and Bali or somewhere in Asia. I'm excited to practice "Aloha Nursing," lol...and just experience nursing in another environment with different people (although I do hate being the "new" girl at first). I'm excited to meet new people and make new friends..and excited to just have a richer life. Move out & grow up..learn to cook and do laundry, lol. Decorate our new place! and entertain our many visitors while we are there..haha!

So yes, definitely excited...jus gotta get over the sadness of leaving everything behind. T-18days, ready..set.GO!

new Moon!

playing around with my mac found an app to make a website.....haha..jus another blog with pics tho

http://web.me.com/itsmaricel

ahhH!

The lack of privacy I have at home is starting to get at me. I think I have been room-less for more than 3 weeks. Sleeping on the couches/in my grandmas room; dressing up in the spare room with all my clothes piled on a bed is disastrous; doing my makeup in the hallway; putting my shoes in random parts of the house; putting my purses and work stuff in the guest room; & even struggling to find a place to chill because I need a socket to charge on my phone and computer!

soo frustrating. Cant even have a phone conversation without somebody listening. Driving me crazy. I just want to be in a room, watch my TV, play on my computer, lock my door--completely UNDISTURBED...

..I have re-evaluated moving out and its not something I want to do ideally. That would be at least 700/month on top of my car payment, auto insurance, phone payment.....blaaaaah. I hate being an adult.

ANYWAYS, yah i feel like im going a lil craaazy!! helllllp!! :O

p.s. i love my mom and grandma to death....but WHYYYY are they always packing balikbayan boxes year round?!! and whyyyy are they such HOARDERS!!! its craaaaaaazy.

SUNSHINE

helloo, probably to nobody, cuz I dont think anyone reads these blogs anymore. haha

With the sunshine coming out more often, I literally feel like I am rising from the dead. HAHA. I dont know, I am so over the being cold, wearing boots, layering my clothes. I wanna put on shorts and slippers, go swimming, get some Vitamin D! I feel happier like that, haha.

Anyways, just been working a lot. And working out a lot. My little "incident" in January has added on some stubborn pounds & it makes me so SAD :( Like seriously. I have been eating right, going to the gym at least 4X/wk, regular BMs (haha)--but it wont go away:( so frustrating, but hopefully when I resume my . --things will look better. keeping my fingers crossed!

Because of some haps at home, I am contemplating moving out. Nothing personally about my family or anything like that, more like something about my living condition that stinks--literally! lol. ill share with you guys next time I see you. So yah, definitely cannot afford a mortgage on my own, so well seeeee...

hmm, what else??? nothing really! Were going to Miami & checking out the Bahamas on a cruise. excited because its a new destination. Other than that, thats all! Cant wait for summer! hahah.

Words of Wisdom

“People are unreasonable,

illogical, and self-centered;

forgive them anyway. If you are

kind, people may accuse you of

selfish, ulterior motives; be kind

anyway. If you are successful,

you will win some false friends

and true enemies; succeed

anyway. If you are honest and

frank, people may cheat you;

be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,

someone could destroy

overnight; build anyway. If you

find serenity and happiness,

they may be jealous; be happy

anyway. The good you do

today, people will often forget

tomorrow; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you’ve

got anyway. You see, in the final

analysis, it is between you and

God; it was never between you

and them anyway.”

– Mother Teresa