Music Mondays

Hello my dearest friends,

The last few weeks have been extremely busy, but I have nothing but good things to say about the time that has passed. I started work September 12^th and have been working like a busy bee ever since. I work Monday through Friday and one Saturday out of every month. My days start at 7:30AM and tend to run until 6:00PM. In addition to those hours, I have an hour commute each way from Charleston to Walterboro. The drive is not ideal, but I love working for Colleton Medical Center! I work between all three units in the hospital: Rehab, Inpatient (Acute) and Outpatient…talk about variety and a workout running from place to place, but it truly is a great learning environment for a new grad. I’m pretty tired when I walk through the door after work, but my patients and their families are totally worth it :)

That being said, I don’t have a lot of extra time on my hands to update my blog; however, I decided that I needed some good “R and R” tonight after a long Monday at work. So, what’s my agenda for this evening’s post? Update my readers (hope you are still out there) on some new music finds!

You can imagine that I am avidly searching for some new tunes to keep me motivated on my long drive to work, so I’ve done some digging...Here are some killer artists that I think you would love.

Robert Plant

Where you might know him from: Most recently, from the Band of Joy or maybe from his collaboration with Alison Kraus OR maybe as the front man for Led Zeppelin :) Yes, one of the most infamous “Gods of Rock and Roll” to have ever lived...Robert Plant! From his first days with Led Zeppelin in 1968 to the Band of Joy in 2010, this artist is still actively producing music and inspiring generation after generation. Want to give him a listen? Of course you do! Click on the video below to experience “Fortune Teller” with accompanist, Alison Krauss…brace yourself :)

Wilco

New to me but maybe not to you! Wilco has seen band members come and go since its start in 1994, but lead singer, Jeff Tweedy and bassist, John Stirratt still remain. I am still learning about the band but wanted to share a song that caught my attention the other day. If you have any feedback about Wilco, I would love to hear it! Not sure which album to start with but looking forward to further discovering their music. Click on the video below to listen to one of their newer songs, “I Might.” Please and thank you!!

 Ray LaMontagne

Another recent and personal find :) Though new to me, Ray LaMontagne seems to have been around for a good while now. Beginning his on-the-side tour in 1999, LaMontage has become ever more present in the last few years. As with Wilco, if you have any insight to Mr. LaMontagne, I’d love to listen. I find his raspy voice to be absurdly velvet-like and can’t seem to get enough. Check on the video below to see what I mean: “Beg, Steal or Borrow.”

That’s it for my latest music finds. Imagine me driving through the windy roads to the small town of Walterboro as you listen to them and take time to enjoy each as your evening comes to a close tonight. Sending you blessings and love as always. Good night.

Hello World!

Today, In "Big Girl" News...
I purposely postponed this post for quite some time...since graduation to be exact, because I wanted to share only good news & I now have the very chance to do so :) It's official, my friends! You are reading the blog of a registered and licensed occupational therapist! 


I studied my heart out for a month following graduation and scheduled my NBCOT exam for August 10th in North Carolina. There were no available exam dates in Charleston, so this is why I had to schedule my test 3.5 hours away. BUT this worked out perfectly, because Andres' parents live in Davidson, which is right outside Charlotte. I was welcomed with hugs and home cooked meals as Mrs. Kim (Dre's momma) lifted my spirits with chocolate, great conversations and a trip to IKEA during my stay, making me almost forget why I was actually there :) 


I took the exam that Wednesday afternoon from 3:30PM - 7:05PM. The majority of that time frame is now a blur, but true to my personality, I thought I failed miserably and felt so flustered from the exam that I forgot my driver's license and debit card at the testing center. I did not realize this minor detail until I attempted to order a celebratory drink at dinner. Again, true to form, I began to lose my waffles as I received a call from ProMetric informing me that they had both my ID and debit card in their possession. Still, I was a mess, but leave it to Mrs. Kim to save the day. 


Testing candidates were to have several forms of identification in order to take the test, so I also had my passport with me...which of course, had totally slipped my mind at this point in time. This, however, did not escape Mrs. Kim's memory :) She ran after me as I fled to the girls' room and quickly asked if I had my passport. I said, "Yes," and she replied, "Well, looks like you can still drink!" And drink we did!


The next day I drove back to Charleston...where I waited a whole week to find out whether I passed the exam. Sure, I live in the best city ever where there are tons of amazing things to do, but knowing that my future was up in the air (dramatic, I know), I was not able to celebrate like I wanted to...until yesterday!!


Yes!! I found out just yesterday that I passed my exam! This was the one news that I was waiting to hear and the one thing that I have been dying to share with all of you! I am so happy to have passed, but more importantly, so ready to begin my career as an occupational therapist! I truly live for this profession and cannot wait to start working September 12th at Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro, SC! The next few weeks are going to fly by as I make my move from my small, downtown apartment back to West Ashley to be closer to work! My mom will be coming to help with the move along with Andres (THANKS GUYS!). I've already made several "big girl" purchases and cannot wait to get setup in my new home :)


So, I've passed my test, landed a full-time position as an OT and found a new place to call home! God is great! Thank you to all of you who supported me while I had my nose in a book for a solid month. I would have gone insane without your texts, calls and emails!

Tonight's Music Selection & My Current Mood :)

Kings of Leon: Taper Jean Girl

Looking forward to sharing this next chapter in my life with all of you. I will upload pictures of my new place soon. Sending love your way as always! Xoxo.

Updated Status: MUSC Alum :)

Monday Afternoon
I am proud to say that I graduated with my Master's in Occupational Therapy from MUSC this weekend & was absolutely humbled by the love I received from my family & friends. It was a wonderful weekend spent with those I love and cherish most :) Now that you know that I have my Master's, you might be wondering what is next on my list...well, here it is.

A Start To A Graduate's To-Do List

1. Study over the next month & pass the NBCOT exam in August. Claim that OTR/L status!

2. Secure a job. Any job really. In the state of South Carolina. Charleston would be nice.

3. Become a true "South Carolinian" & say good-bye to my TN tags & driver's license. 

4. Move out of my downtown apartment & into something with washer/dryer connections.

5. Put my new racket to use & take up tennis. Be ready to challenge Nandito in 12 months. 

6. Commit to studying Spanish & practice it daily. But really this time. Really.

That's a hefty list. Numbers 1 and 2 terrify me, but I know things will work out on their own if I put forth the effort and ask for help along the way. I have no idea what my life is going to look like in the next few months or even in a year, but I plan to stay positive, dance to Stealers Wheel when I am stressed, keep chocolate nearby & trust the Big Man Upstairs :) 

That said, cheers to the next chapter! Thanks again for all your support. Would not have survived the last two years without you all in my life. Love you all & enjoy the pictures!

"Faith is not about everything turning out okay; faith is about being okay no matter how things turn out." 

We Vibe

Wednesday News

1. I have a love for posting on Wednesdays. Probably because it's known as "Hump Day".

2. Had an amazing 4th of July in Hilton Head. Riding on handle bars & catching blue crabs.

3. Heading to TN in 2 hours. Couldn't be happier. Love seeing my best friends & family. 

4. Currently on the hunt for a new apartment in Charleston. Definitely staying in SC :)

5. Still in search of a job. Waiting to hear back from a few. Positive thoughts & prayers. 

6. Graduating in 10 days. Wild. Welcoming change, an income and a career I can live for!

7. Found and retrieved my first sand dollar on the 4th :) Hoping it brings goooood luck. 

8. Haven't had the best luck with movie rentals lately. Ready for a movie to stir my soul. 

9. Lulu Marie experienced a minor bump & lost a pedal. In the shop until further notice. 

10. Finished my last rotation EVER last Friday. I'm going to love the status of an OTR/L. 

Featured Music

This song has been making its round through emails, You Tube, Vimeo & blogs since dropping July 1st. With 400+ views in just a matter of days, this video is sure to make its way to 1000 in no time. You might think I am partial to this artist, and maybe I am, but you'll thank me later for introducing you two. If you like his sound, show him some love and "like" his video. His upcoming "We Vibe" EP will counter your thirst for more after listening to his first single, "I Don't Fear." 

Cheers to an indelible beginning, Marco Mar. May the world hear your music and vibe to the music of your life. Friends & family, as always, you are my reason for being. Love you all. Wishing you a great Wednesday.

Mid-Week Updates :)

All Smiles on Wednesday 

1. Woke up to "Good Life" this morning. Wonderful start to my day.

2. Received a call at 7:30AM with some great news! Interview (Part 2) on Thursday at 3PM!

3. After a rough hour at work today, a patient surprised me with dessert. Spirits lifted!

4. Left work at 5PM today. An early day in my book. No traffic & home 10 minutes later.

5. Happy to be greeted by such an excited pup when I got home. I'm such a mom.

6. So You Think You Can Dance comes on tonight at 8PM. Need I say more? Ps. Go Melanie!

Things I Learned Today...or Were Reminded Of :)

1. Every morning is a fresh start; a new day to grow beyond who we were the day before. 

2. God is my bus driver! If I take the steps to get to that bus stop, He will lead the way!

3. As much as I support them, my patients also support me. Love that about my career!

4. Nelson is such a great companion & keeps me entertained. Audience at the Fountain :)

5. I LOVE "smiley" emoticons.I find them to really convey my happiness in techy-mediums. 

6. Blessed with the most wonderful friends, family and boyfriend a girl could ever ask for.

WEDNESDAY JAMS

Jammed to Phoenix all the way to work this morning. Found it to be the perfect CD to dance to in celebration after receiving that AM phone call (really tempted to insert a smiley emoticon here...withholding). Want some entertainment? Pull up to my car when I am listening to their Wolfgang Amadeus CD. I can't control myself. Thanks to my kid brother, I was able to see them LIVE at Lollapalooza last year (most of you know this, but I am still in awe and have to remind myself of its phenomenal occurrence). I cried happy tears and danced uncontrollably through their entire show. Check them out if you've yet to experience them! Personal fave...1901!

Love you friends & Happy Hump Day!!

Paloma

The Weekend of Spoleto

Week's Recap

1. Great run on Tuesday afternoon...which was followed by dessert before dinner. Classic.

2. Made my first static progressive splint on Friday. No pattern & engineered a pulley :)

3. Had my first job interview this week. Great experience! Peer interview next week.

4. Trombone Shorty (!!) tonight at the Cistern Yard & Circa tomorrow at 2pm for Spoleto.

5. One week closer to being done! 22 days until Hilton Head & 36 days until Graduation!   

BIG Thanks

1. To all of my friends who prayed for me this week. Your support was felt miles away!

2. To Andres for making me laugh & conducting a mock interview w/ dinner last night. XO.

3. To my mom for her continuous support. Such a stellar lady! You inspire me.

Empowering Music

Nose job or not (who cares anyways...!), Beyonce is an inspiration to women world wide. Being a fan of hers since Destiny's Child, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her develop as an artist and woman. Her music is edgy, innovative and more than anything, empowering. I love her new song, "Run The World (Girls)". I would expect nothing less from an artist such as her. It's eerie and risky. It's sexily swanky and makes me feel like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. Ugh. Divaaaaaa! :)

   

Prayer Requests For...

1. Dre & our other friends who are taking the Step One board exam next week.

2. Strength and composure as I proceed to my Peer Interview next week. 

3. Emily & Marshall who get married next Saturday, June 18th! I love LOVE!

4. Marco as he prepares to release his first solo EP and share his music video :)

5. Those experiencing Bonnaroo. It's going to be a hot one this year.
6. Those awaiting surgery in the next few weeks: patients and family members. 

Quotes To Note

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." 

 Proverbs 16:9

"Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all."

 Galatians 6:10 

A Lulu Marie Summer

A Tuesday for a Monday...Don't Mind If I Do!
1. Eventful weekend with the girls.  High heels & educational dinners.
2. The start of a Lulu Marie Summer. A sea-foam "Popsicle" cruiser from Dre & Adge :)
3. Beach-driven days, J.LO featured playlists, and Blonde Bombshells in hand. 
4. Local adventures, lemonade for a $1.00 and carefree naps with Nelson. 
5. Open hearts, steps forward and lessons learned. Growing in love, faith & happiness.

Surprise/Early Graduation Gift from Andres & Adriana

To-Do's That Have Been Done in My Little, Wonderful Life
1. 3 weeks worth of laundry has been washed/dried/returned to its rightful place.
2. Survived my first bike ride downtown (in line with traffic!) by myself this afternoon. 


Prayer Requests
1. Those who have nothing nice to say. Being mean is not hip.
2. For continual growth & patience during the process of searching for a job. 
3. Open eyes & ears for help to listen & respond when I am being called. 


Tuesday Night Jams (a repeat this month)
1. KOL's New Album. Extremely therapeutic after a long weekend.