okay well i guess it was just a matter of time before i (a food lover) wrote a blog about food. it's not great and i don't even know where i'm going with it but i know a few things. i love food. i love to try new things. i love to take pictures and share them with people. so it may be restaurants i've tried or food that i've made but i'm starting it out here:
Brandizzle Eats
Check it out and be jealous of the delicious food I'm eating!
09 August 2010
02 July 2010
#218 - radical apartmemt
well i guess i've been busy cause i haven't been posting lately. sorry to the one or two people who read this! haha at least you can look on facebook and see what i've been eating. i've actually been really busy with work mostly. also i went home for a quick trip to visit my grandpa who is in a nursing facility now. then i moved.
WORK
i'm working primarily as a "medicine nurse" right now...aka "drug dealer". i am passing meds to the forty-plus people in the facility. its getting busier with new admissions and everyone has tons of meds. when i'm old i say no more than five a day! some people take like 50 pills. i'm not even exaggerating. its pretty sad. its not really nursing but its the only position they have open right now. i was able to be the "treatment nurse" one day when they needed someone to cover it. that was awesome cause i felt like a real nurse, but at the same time it was kind of boring because there weren't many treatments. i don't really know what i want to do but it probably is not either one. the other position is the "charge nurse" who basically answers the phone a lot and does tons of paperwork. definitely not my jam. so right now i am just working to pay the bills and thinking about what i really want to do.
MAUI
i went to maui for five days i think, it was pretty short. my grandpa had pneumonia, not sure if its gone now but he is getting weaker and not eating much. he was sleeping a lot and not opening his eyes, even when he was eating! it was really good to see him and spend time with him. we were all kind of realizing that he may not make it to my sister's wedding next year. that's really sad but i guess that's reality. she was able to come over to maui and so were my parents. so all four of us were there, which was really nice. i was there for father's day so we all went to IHOP. basically we'd go see my grandpa at the facility two or three time a day and help him eat or push him around in the wheelchair. he likes to get up and then 5 minutes later want to lay down. so it was pretty challenging to be patient. it was weird to be on the family side of things. having to ask the nurses and CNAs for help with things and being patient. i know how much work they have to do so it was weird to have to be the one to wait.
MOVE
just moved in with my bf, we got this two bedroom apt not too far from where i was. it's pretty awesome, close to the best coffee shop, a theater, whole foods, great food and a beautiful park. it's way closer to his work so that's nice. my work is still about 4 miles away and its an uphill bike ride but thankfully i don't have to do that everyday. the weather is finally getting to be nice. the apartment itself is nothing too fancy. its on the second floor, carpet, pretty spacious and nice windows/light. its got a dishwasher and lots of closets. we are still putting it together and there is crap everywhere but it's great. we put up some of his art on the walls and slowly its starting to feel like home! :) the move itself was pretty grueling. got a u-haul one day and had to move our two places. got a couple friends to help but it was hot and we had to keep going up and down stairs. UGH! but it was all worth it. we have an extra bedroom so everyone is welcome to come visit! pictures to come soon...
WORK
i'm working primarily as a "medicine nurse" right now...aka "drug dealer". i am passing meds to the forty-plus people in the facility. its getting busier with new admissions and everyone has tons of meds. when i'm old i say no more than five a day! some people take like 50 pills. i'm not even exaggerating. its pretty sad. its not really nursing but its the only position they have open right now. i was able to be the "treatment nurse" one day when they needed someone to cover it. that was awesome cause i felt like a real nurse, but at the same time it was kind of boring because there weren't many treatments. i don't really know what i want to do but it probably is not either one. the other position is the "charge nurse" who basically answers the phone a lot and does tons of paperwork. definitely not my jam. so right now i am just working to pay the bills and thinking about what i really want to do.
MAUI
i went to maui for five days i think, it was pretty short. my grandpa had pneumonia, not sure if its gone now but he is getting weaker and not eating much. he was sleeping a lot and not opening his eyes, even when he was eating! it was really good to see him and spend time with him. we were all kind of realizing that he may not make it to my sister's wedding next year. that's really sad but i guess that's reality. she was able to come over to maui and so were my parents. so all four of us were there, which was really nice. i was there for father's day so we all went to IHOP. basically we'd go see my grandpa at the facility two or three time a day and help him eat or push him around in the wheelchair. he likes to get up and then 5 minutes later want to lay down. so it was pretty challenging to be patient. it was weird to be on the family side of things. having to ask the nurses and CNAs for help with things and being patient. i know how much work they have to do so it was weird to have to be the one to wait.
MOVE
just moved in with my bf, we got this two bedroom apt not too far from where i was. it's pretty awesome, close to the best coffee shop, a theater, whole foods, great food and a beautiful park. it's way closer to his work so that's nice. my work is still about 4 miles away and its an uphill bike ride but thankfully i don't have to do that everyday. the weather is finally getting to be nice. the apartment itself is nothing too fancy. its on the second floor, carpet, pretty spacious and nice windows/light. its got a dishwasher and lots of closets. we are still putting it together and there is crap everywhere but it's great. we put up some of his art on the walls and slowly its starting to feel like home! :) the move itself was pretty grueling. got a u-haul one day and had to move our two places. got a couple friends to help but it was hot and we had to keep going up and down stairs. UGH! but it was all worth it. we have an extra bedroom so everyone is welcome to come visit! pictures to come soon...
24 May 2010
#217 - one year
it's been a year since Hector passed away. RIP Hector. to me he was the most amazing lover of a dog. i can't write much because i am crying too much but i just did want to recognize this day. 
he was a lover and a fighter, if that's possible. i feel really empty and broken without him. there is a chihuahua-sized hole in my heart that cannot be filled. one year later and i still think about him everyday. love is like that i guess. in memory of sweet hector i decided to get a tribute tattoo. it is still healing so i haven't a proper picture but this is the one i took from my phone immediately afterwards.
i got it done at imperial tattoo in portland by this guy named mike. he was awesome and did such a perfect job! the tattoo is almost as cute as the real thing! now i carry him with me wherever i go.
he was a lover and a fighter, if that's possible. i feel really empty and broken without him. there is a chihuahua-sized hole in my heart that cannot be filled. one year later and i still think about him everyday. love is like that i guess. in memory of sweet hector i decided to get a tribute tattoo. it is still healing so i haven't a proper picture but this is the one i took from my phone immediately afterwards.
i got it done at imperial tattoo in portland by this guy named mike. he was awesome and did such a perfect job! the tattoo is almost as cute as the real thing! now i carry him with me wherever i go.
27 April 2010
#216 - new job
as you may know, i've been looking for a job for a long time now. although i was working part time and paying the bills, it was not what i wanted. i got my RN last june and have since not had much luck finding a job as one. bummer, right? yes. so i opened up my search to include more than just the hospitals in the portland area. i opened my job search to include CNA work as well, which is what i've been doing for 5 years now. you would think it would be easy to find a job in something i've been doing for that long. so did i. as soon as the potential employer found out i had my RN they dismissed me, knowing i would keep looking for work and eventually quit.
i applied to a CNA position i found on craigslist at Gateway Care & Retirement on 4/10. they called me on 4/12 and i interviewed on 4/13. they were just as baffled to find that i couldn't find a job as a RN but instead of thinking that me having my RN was bad, they were excited. i got the job, signed papers on 4/14 and started working as a CNA on 4/15. i talked to the DNS (director of nursing services) and he was encouraging. the plan/idea was for me to get some experience in the place and get to know the facility, then eventually train me to pass meds, do treatment nurse and eventually charge nurse. it was really exciting and encouraging to know that the DNS was looking out for me and welcomed me aboard "the team". at my previous job the DNS was scary and not encouraging at all. so this was new.
training for the CNA position was great, i just got back right into the dressing, feeding, wiping, cleaning, showering, etc. i trained for four days, then had two days off before i was to start full time on day shift. i showed up on 4/22 when i was scheduled and found out that their CMA (med aide) had just quit the day before. they were wondering what to do and someone was like, "why doesn't Brandi do it?" since i am a RN i can pass the medications on my license. i talked to the DNS again and he said it sounded good, it would be difficult but i would have lots of help if i needed it. so the next day i started training on passing meds. the day shift med position starts at 5am so we are able to pass the 6am meds. unfortunately the bus does not run that early. i live about 4.5 miles from work and so in order to get there on time, i need to ride my bike. i leave around 4:30am. at that time i am not yet awake but there are not many cars on the road. by the time i get to work i am wide awake.
training went quickly and i learned a lot. the person who trained me had been doing it for 9 years so she had a lot of experience. she knew all the residents' meds inside and out. she knew everything i needed to know. it went quickly and there was a lot to learn. after training for three days i had one day off, then started on my own today. although i felt like i was kind of drowning slowly, it also felt like i would get it down eventually and it would become doable. the day goes incredibly fast because there are meds at 0600, 0730, 0800, 0930, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400. there are over 40 residents and they all get lots of meds at different times. i actually like work that keeps me busy the whole time so it suits me.
two more days on my own for day shift then i train on evening shift for two days. eventually my schedule will be two days on, two evenings on, two off then repeat. so i have rotating "weekends" and don't have to get up at 4am every day of the week. i'm looking forward to when that starts on may 6. all in all, i am glad i am working again.
i applied to a CNA position i found on craigslist at Gateway Care & Retirement on 4/10. they called me on 4/12 and i interviewed on 4/13. they were just as baffled to find that i couldn't find a job as a RN but instead of thinking that me having my RN was bad, they were excited. i got the job, signed papers on 4/14 and started working as a CNA on 4/15. i talked to the DNS (director of nursing services) and he was encouraging. the plan/idea was for me to get some experience in the place and get to know the facility, then eventually train me to pass meds, do treatment nurse and eventually charge nurse. it was really exciting and encouraging to know that the DNS was looking out for me and welcomed me aboard "the team". at my previous job the DNS was scary and not encouraging at all. so this was new.
training for the CNA position was great, i just got back right into the dressing, feeding, wiping, cleaning, showering, etc. i trained for four days, then had two days off before i was to start full time on day shift. i showed up on 4/22 when i was scheduled and found out that their CMA (med aide) had just quit the day before. they were wondering what to do and someone was like, "why doesn't Brandi do it?" since i am a RN i can pass the medications on my license. i talked to the DNS again and he said it sounded good, it would be difficult but i would have lots of help if i needed it. so the next day i started training on passing meds. the day shift med position starts at 5am so we are able to pass the 6am meds. unfortunately the bus does not run that early. i live about 4.5 miles from work and so in order to get there on time, i need to ride my bike. i leave around 4:30am. at that time i am not yet awake but there are not many cars on the road. by the time i get to work i am wide awake.
training went quickly and i learned a lot. the person who trained me had been doing it for 9 years so she had a lot of experience. she knew all the residents' meds inside and out. she knew everything i needed to know. it went quickly and there was a lot to learn. after training for three days i had one day off, then started on my own today. although i felt like i was kind of drowning slowly, it also felt like i would get it down eventually and it would become doable. the day goes incredibly fast because there are meds at 0600, 0730, 0800, 0930, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400. there are over 40 residents and they all get lots of meds at different times. i actually like work that keeps me busy the whole time so it suits me.
two more days on my own for day shift then i train on evening shift for two days. eventually my schedule will be two days on, two evenings on, two off then repeat. so i have rotating "weekends" and don't have to get up at 4am every day of the week. i'm looking forward to when that starts on may 6. all in all, i am glad i am working again.
08 March 2010
#215 - bicycle!
i just got my bike out for the first time in probably close to a year. both tires were really flat so i had to put air in them and be sure i was good to go. i was worried i would forget how to bike and i was definitely a little afraid of biking in traffic. of course i still remember HOW to ride but it was a little awkward.
the day that i took my first ride of 2010 was so gorgeous, almost knocking on summer's door. summers in oregon are so amazing and i am really excited for it to come. i thought for sure the sun and warmth would last.. unfortunately today it got really COLD! i had heard rumors about snow in the next couple days and did not believe it because i swear it was in the upper 60's the other day. so imagine my surprise when i looked out the window today and saw snow falling down! granted, it is probably in the low 40s right now but hey it's MARCH for crying out loud! the cherry blossoms are in bloom and flowers are popping out everywhere so dammit, snow, stay away! i am ready to go out in t-shirts and maybe a light sweatshirt. no more winter clothes...grrr... i do enjoy the winter and this one was quite short with not enough rain (yes, i said it!) or snow. the sun is such a tease! i was dreaming of summer days and nights, staying out till nine and it still being light out. oh yeah! picnics, hikes, bikes, parties, swimming, the coast, etc. summer is going to rock!
so my bike is out and ready to ride. i will ride in the cold but not rain or snow. i am so fair weather. but i have a bus pass so its all good and i don't care what you bike people think.. its for fun and not my main mode of transport. maybe someday that will change but for now it's just fun to ride. i can get some exercise while also getting fresh air and going from point A to B faster, not having to wait for the bus. OOH CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!! i should change the title to "summer"
the day that i took my first ride of 2010 was so gorgeous, almost knocking on summer's door. summers in oregon are so amazing and i am really excited for it to come. i thought for sure the sun and warmth would last.. unfortunately today it got really COLD! i had heard rumors about snow in the next couple days and did not believe it because i swear it was in the upper 60's the other day. so imagine my surprise when i looked out the window today and saw snow falling down! granted, it is probably in the low 40s right now but hey it's MARCH for crying out loud! the cherry blossoms are in bloom and flowers are popping out everywhere so dammit, snow, stay away! i am ready to go out in t-shirts and maybe a light sweatshirt. no more winter clothes...grrr... i do enjoy the winter and this one was quite short with not enough rain (yes, i said it!) or snow. the sun is such a tease! i was dreaming of summer days and nights, staying out till nine and it still being light out. oh yeah! picnics, hikes, bikes, parties, swimming, the coast, etc. summer is going to rock!
so my bike is out and ready to ride. i will ride in the cold but not rain or snow. i am so fair weather. but i have a bus pass so its all good and i don't care what you bike people think.. its for fun and not my main mode of transport. maybe someday that will change but for now it's just fun to ride. i can get some exercise while also getting fresh air and going from point A to B faster, not having to wait for the bus. OOH CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!! i should change the title to "summer"
16 February 2010
#214 - wedding dress
i arrived in hawaii yesterday for my aunty's funeral (thursday). it feels like i was just here so i don't really have a long list of things to do, plus there are a lot of funeral-related family events going on while i'm here. the only thing i really want/need to do is go to the beach and surf.
so i arrived about 2:30pm and the first thing we did was pick up my sister and go to three bridal shops. this was my first time to ever step into one of these places. whoa, it was weird. i've never been one of those gals who dream of their wedding and the perfect dress, etc. i don't think i'm going to become one either. luckily for me, she had already done some homework as to what she wanted. she took us to the three stores and had a few dresses picked out at each.
when she put on the first dress and walked out, it was like another person. this can't be my little sister!! it was a beautiful woman about to be married! oh my, it was weird. she looked awesome in all the dresses she tried on, even if they were samples and not the right size for her. the dresses ranged in price all the way up to $1400. i was like, omg that is way too much for a dress you are only gonna wear once!! but i guess it's your special day and if you can afford it, why not splurge?
the dresses she liked all had varying amounts of bead work and shiny stuff on it. totally not my style. i had to keep reminding myself, "this is not your wedding/dress/day!" it is kind of easy to get caught up in the glamour and idea of weddings and for me to fantasize about my own future wedding and what i want and don't want. i am so not there yet but i doubt i'll be throwing down anything in four figures for a silly dress.
so back to the dress. the one she finally chose (but had to sleep on) was a pretty, simple, a-line strapless dress with a corset looking tie in the back. it has a little "bling" but not over the top. it also has a chiffon layer and not too big a train. i think it's gonna be my job as maid of honor to fix that thing when it gets all messed up so i'm glad it's not too big/bulky. the worker who was helping her was a bit pushy for a bigger more poofy dress but none of us liked that style. she was a nice gal but i think she had her own conception of what the perfect wedding dress was and was trying to force it on us. i don't want my sister to have a bubble butt on her wedding day!
her wedding isn't even till june 2011 so i'm like, wow this is early. but i guess you have to get these things in order ahead of time. knowing me i'll end up in vegas getting married by an elvis impersonator! i am excited for her though, and she is excited too. i hope she doesn't become a bridezilla...
so i arrived about 2:30pm and the first thing we did was pick up my sister and go to three bridal shops. this was my first time to ever step into one of these places. whoa, it was weird. i've never been one of those gals who dream of their wedding and the perfect dress, etc. i don't think i'm going to become one either. luckily for me, she had already done some homework as to what she wanted. she took us to the three stores and had a few dresses picked out at each.
when she put on the first dress and walked out, it was like another person. this can't be my little sister!! it was a beautiful woman about to be married! oh my, it was weird. she looked awesome in all the dresses she tried on, even if they were samples and not the right size for her. the dresses ranged in price all the way up to $1400. i was like, omg that is way too much for a dress you are only gonna wear once!! but i guess it's your special day and if you can afford it, why not splurge?
the dresses she liked all had varying amounts of bead work and shiny stuff on it. totally not my style. i had to keep reminding myself, "this is not your wedding/dress/day!" it is kind of easy to get caught up in the glamour and idea of weddings and for me to fantasize about my own future wedding and what i want and don't want. i am so not there yet but i doubt i'll be throwing down anything in four figures for a silly dress.
so back to the dress. the one she finally chose (but had to sleep on) was a pretty, simple, a-line strapless dress with a corset looking tie in the back. it has a little "bling" but not over the top. it also has a chiffon layer and not too big a train. i think it's gonna be my job as maid of honor to fix that thing when it gets all messed up so i'm glad it's not too big/bulky. the worker who was helping her was a bit pushy for a bigger more poofy dress but none of us liked that style. she was a nice gal but i think she had her own conception of what the perfect wedding dress was and was trying to force it on us. i don't want my sister to have a bubble butt on her wedding day!
her wedding isn't even till june 2011 so i'm like, wow this is early. but i guess you have to get these things in order ahead of time. knowing me i'll end up in vegas getting married by an elvis impersonator! i am excited for her though, and she is excited too. i hope she doesn't become a bridezilla...
10 February 2010
#213 - sick
Sucks to be sick. I'm in bed right now, trying to blog and rest. I have a raging sore throat and overall malaise. Luckily I don't work till friday but I have tickets to see Elton John and Billy Joel tonight! It's in ten hours so hopefully laying in bed for that time will help me feel better. I don't wanna miss it! My whole house is sick in one form or another. One has a sinus thing and the other kind of similar. I'm trying everything to get rid of this thing, lots of water, tea, salt water gargle, soup, vitamins, oj, superfood, and rest. Oh and hot showers.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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