Brett and I woke up today and decided to run downtown and get a bite to eat together for Breakfast. We walked out our front door, and there was a girl sleeping in the corner of our entry way/doorstep. She appeared homeless and obviously cold. This caught Brett and I both off gaurd as we live in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city, Pacific Heights. As were we crossing the street, Brett said "That's a first."
I had to get some blood work done downtown for school (in order to be a clinical student nurse). I rode the bus back home and when I returned she was still there. As I walked up to our doorway, I could see her eyes look up at me. I leaned down to ask her if she was ok and if she needed anything. She just wanted a snack, so I ran upstairs, got her some cuties, an apple and some pretzels and a huge glass of OJ, I figured she was probably dehydrated and OJ sounded good to me.
I came back downstairs and handed her her food. I asked her again if she was ok, and if she needed anything else. I really didn't mind that she was on our doorstep, I think she might have been thinking I wanted her to leave. Some people might be offended (or whatever) but I figured she was harmless so I didn't care. Anyhow, I asked her if she was ok, and she said, yes. I said do you need anything else, I would give you money but I don't have cash. She asked for a sweatshirt. I ran back upstairs, and found one of the many sweatshirts I NEVER wear and gave it to her. She seemed very happy.
While I was upstairs, getting her food, I thought about asking her if she wanted to come up and take a shower. I would have if Brett was home, cause I could see something going terribly wrong if it were me here by myself (it's hard enough to be responsible for just me). Its just so disheartening and sad. I know everyone has their own path, but it's just sad.
I asked her her name, she said "Georgia, what's yous?" I said "Gina." She said, "What happened to you voice?" I told her I was in a car accident and you know what, for the FIRST time since it happened, my accident seems like a fart in the wind compared to her life. It's like my accident didn't even compare.
Pray for Georgia.
April 2, 2010
March 17, 2010
Happy Spring Break to Gina!
You'll never believe it, but not only is it Spring break (already!!) but I've been ill since Sunday.
It started off like a standard cold and then escalated into me bent over the toilet both ways every hour on the hour Monday night into Tuesday morning. I went to the doctor first thing Tuesday and she sent me to the ER to have a CT Scan on my stomach for the possibility of appendicitis.
I got to the ER (ironically enough the one we now live two blocks from and where I use to volunteer) and the ER doctor said he didn't think it was presenting like appendicitis, and that there is a really bad stomach bug going around (I want to kick this bugs you know what).
I'm better today, but I slept ALL day yesterday, through the night and woke up at 12:30pm today - so about 18+ hours of sleep. Insane and not fun, happy spring break to Gina! Hoping I continue to feel better in Tahoe, as we're headed up today, Brett, myself, Hurley and our newest addition - the appendicitis bug.
Brett stayed home with me all day yesterday and took me to the doctors and hospital. It was so cute, Brett, after all was said and done says... "You already had your fair share of bad stuff happen to you, you're suppose to be invincible now!"
I thought to myself, "I am deary, I have you by my side."
It started off like a standard cold and then escalated into me bent over the toilet both ways every hour on the hour Monday night into Tuesday morning. I went to the doctor first thing Tuesday and she sent me to the ER to have a CT Scan on my stomach for the possibility of appendicitis.
I got to the ER (ironically enough the one we now live two blocks from and where I use to volunteer) and the ER doctor said he didn't think it was presenting like appendicitis, and that there is a really bad stomach bug going around (I want to kick this bugs you know what).
I'm better today, but I slept ALL day yesterday, through the night and woke up at 12:30pm today - so about 18+ hours of sleep. Insane and not fun, happy spring break to Gina! Hoping I continue to feel better in Tahoe, as we're headed up today, Brett, myself, Hurley and our newest addition - the appendicitis bug.
Brett stayed home with me all day yesterday and took me to the doctors and hospital. It was so cute, Brett, after all was said and done says... "You already had your fair share of bad stuff happen to you, you're suppose to be invincible now!"
I thought to myself, "I am deary, I have you by my side."
March 9, 2010
What your looking for ... you probably already have
Why do we keep "stuff" we don't need?
Brett and I moved a week ago to Pacific Heights from Russian Hill (in San Francisco) and I am finally getting the chance today to decorate... or make an attempt at decorating. One of my initial thoughts was "I need more "stuff" for our place... more furniture, more knick knacks... more stuuuuffff! We don't have enough.
So last night before I went to bed, I started searching the Pottery Barn website for "stuff." Actually to be honest, I've been doing this for about a month now in anticipation of moving, I've even gone as far as searching Craigslist for PB stuff to be more "practical." It's cheaper second hand right?
First off, we have enough stuff, and our apartment is not big enough for more "stuff." Well, it is, but we definatley don't neeeeed more "stuff."
So instead of buying more stuff, I have been searching the pottery barn website for ideas on how to decorate, and so far so good! I am loving our house right now, and it's all because of the ideas that I am getting out of decorating from the PB website. It's better to reorganize and redecorate than to buy new "stuff" right?
This blog came to me while I was in our storage closet from "h-e-double hockey sticks", which, dear God help us, is or was BUSTING at the seams until I reorganized it today. Anyway, as I was in there being suffocated by the things that we don't really need but have and are keeping for some reason, I thought of this blog. Actually, I thought of this blog right as something hit me in the head while I was in the storage closet and it suddenly dawned on me ... whyyyyyyyy do we have so much stuff, and what was I thinking going to PB website with the intention of buying more stuff!
To actually feel as if you don't need or want anymore than you already own, and appreciate what you do have instead of looking for what you don't is always easier said than done. Today, I learned a valuable lesson. If we look inside ourselves (or in this case, our homes) and search high and low, near and deep, we already have exactly what we need, and then some. Sometimes it hits us square on the head in a stoarage closet and other times it takes a bit more soul searching, but somehow we manage to be given what we need. Other times, it's just a matter of reorganizing our thoughts (or things) in order to repurify our well-being (or space). If we can keep a positive perspective, continue our appreciation and gratitude, all things good will keep coming our way.
Loves,
Gina
PS I also owe you guys another blog ~ Brett and I went for another 45 mile bike ride on Saturday and it wasn't as glorious as the first... but hysterical nonetheless. I'll try and post that epidose of our life later today or tomorrow!
Brett and I moved a week ago to Pacific Heights from Russian Hill (in San Francisco) and I am finally getting the chance today to decorate... or make an attempt at decorating. One of my initial thoughts was "I need more "stuff" for our place... more furniture, more knick knacks... more stuuuuffff! We don't have enough.
So last night before I went to bed, I started searching the Pottery Barn website for "stuff." Actually to be honest, I've been doing this for about a month now in anticipation of moving, I've even gone as far as searching Craigslist for PB stuff to be more "practical." It's cheaper second hand right?
First off, we have enough stuff, and our apartment is not big enough for more "stuff." Well, it is, but we definatley don't neeeeed more "stuff."
So instead of buying more stuff, I have been searching the pottery barn website for ideas on how to decorate, and so far so good! I am loving our house right now, and it's all because of the ideas that I am getting out of decorating from the PB website. It's better to reorganize and redecorate than to buy new "stuff" right?
This blog came to me while I was in our storage closet from "h-e-double hockey sticks", which, dear God help us, is or was BUSTING at the seams until I reorganized it today. Anyway, as I was in there being suffocated by the things that we don't really need but have and are keeping for some reason, I thought of this blog. Actually, I thought of this blog right as something hit me in the head while I was in the storage closet and it suddenly dawned on me ... whyyyyyyyy do we have so much stuff, and what was I thinking going to PB website with the intention of buying more stuff!
To actually feel as if you don't need or want anymore than you already own, and appreciate what you do have instead of looking for what you don't is always easier said than done. Today, I learned a valuable lesson. If we look inside ourselves (or in this case, our homes) and search high and low, near and deep, we already have exactly what we need, and then some. Sometimes it hits us square on the head in a stoarage closet and other times it takes a bit more soul searching, but somehow we manage to be given what we need. Other times, it's just a matter of reorganizing our thoughts (or things) in order to repurify our well-being (or space). If we can keep a positive perspective, continue our appreciation and gratitude, all things good will keep coming our way.
Loves,
Gina
PS I also owe you guys another blog ~ Brett and I went for another 45 mile bike ride on Saturday and it wasn't as glorious as the first... but hysterical nonetheless. I'll try and post that epidose of our life later today or tomorrow!
March 4, 2010
Our (new) Beautiful View!
This is our new and exciting view. I sit here and watch the puppies play outside. There are usually anywhere between 2 to 25 puppies out there. They love playing and sometimes Hurley asks to sit on the table and look outside, and I let him :). I sit here with my cup of coffee (or two) and look outside and thank God for this blessed view to study with. I sound like a three year old, but sometimes the simpliest things in life are the greatest!
February 24, 2010
It's time for new shoes!
In my life's process, I am being to journey down a path that I have dared not go before, both literally and figuratively speaking. April 11 and July 10 will mark two days where I have dared not go before and everyday before then will mark a beginning of a new Gina. For those of you who may not know, today officially marked the beginning of my training regime to be like Brett; I am training for my first two Triathlons!
Usually when I sign up for something that includes exercise, ie a Half-Marathon, I don't train, and then I sorta brag, in a way, that I have not trained. I usually don't train because I am too afraid of committing myself to a routine, not only that, but I sorta grew up in a household where I sorta just "got by." I mean, I practiced my love of soccer, was a part of a team and excelled both collectively and individually, but did I go on to play college soccer when I probably could have - no. Sure, I got in car accident that nearly killed me, but I didn't have a choice there, I had to thrive, I HAD to pick myself back up and pick up the pieces and start a new. I wasn't going to live another 70 years with a trache - ya know? This is just different. This is different, because I get to make the choice. I get to train, make the choice to excel and move forward. There isn't some crazy lady (aka My Mom) as a distraction. I'm my own worst enemy here.
Training for a triathlon involves a lot of time with yourself. First, you have to convince yourself to move your you know what off the couch and go for a swim, ride you bike or run. Then once you finally muster up the courage to workout, if your music isn't loud enough, or even if it is, there is that little itty bitty voice in there (at least I think that is what I'm hearing) telling you you can't do it, or your too tired to go on. What is that?! Hello... clearly I can do this... why can't you be positive? - and then you suddenly realize you are talking to yourself!
Listening to your own thoughts - which some of you know could be scary when it comes to me - That's is an exercise in itself!!! This blog tonight is entitled "It's time for new shoes" because not only is it time for a new pair of running shoes (my knee is starting to hurt me), it's time for me to step into a new Gina.
Today my regime required 30 minutes of running and 15 minutes of swimming, and it was excellent. To give you an insiders perspective on personal conversations I was having with myself, well here it goes. After the "pre-game coversations" of to go or not to go, while I was actually running this evening, I ran past a street called Octavia. We're moving soon and Octavia is going to be our new cross street. From Bay Street, Octavia gets steep - real steep! I was inspired to write this blog. I think I have some challenges ahead of me, but I am excited to face them as a progressive person and not a "yeah - I'll get by" type person! I'm excited to apply this new motto of new shoes to every aspect of my life and see the benefits that are reaped! Say it with me ... "It's time for new shoes!"
Usually when I sign up for something that includes exercise, ie a Half-Marathon, I don't train, and then I sorta brag, in a way, that I have not trained. I usually don't train because I am too afraid of committing myself to a routine, not only that, but I sorta grew up in a household where I sorta just "got by." I mean, I practiced my love of soccer, was a part of a team and excelled both collectively and individually, but did I go on to play college soccer when I probably could have - no. Sure, I got in car accident that nearly killed me, but I didn't have a choice there, I had to thrive, I HAD to pick myself back up and pick up the pieces and start a new. I wasn't going to live another 70 years with a trache - ya know? This is just different. This is different, because I get to make the choice. I get to train, make the choice to excel and move forward. There isn't some crazy lady (aka My Mom) as a distraction. I'm my own worst enemy here.
Training for a triathlon involves a lot of time with yourself. First, you have to convince yourself to move your you know what off the couch and go for a swim, ride you bike or run. Then once you finally muster up the courage to workout, if your music isn't loud enough, or even if it is, there is that little itty bitty voice in there (at least I think that is what I'm hearing) telling you you can't do it, or your too tired to go on. What is that?! Hello... clearly I can do this... why can't you be positive? - and then you suddenly realize you are talking to yourself!
Listening to your own thoughts - which some of you know could be scary when it comes to me - That's is an exercise in itself!!! This blog tonight is entitled "It's time for new shoes" because not only is it time for a new pair of running shoes (my knee is starting to hurt me), it's time for me to step into a new Gina.
Today my regime required 30 minutes of running and 15 minutes of swimming, and it was excellent. To give you an insiders perspective on personal conversations I was having with myself, well here it goes. After the "pre-game coversations" of to go or not to go, while I was actually running this evening, I ran past a street called Octavia. We're moving soon and Octavia is going to be our new cross street. From Bay Street, Octavia gets steep - real steep! I was inspired to write this blog. I think I have some challenges ahead of me, but I am excited to face them as a progressive person and not a "yeah - I'll get by" type person! I'm excited to apply this new motto of new shoes to every aspect of my life and see the benefits that are reaped! Say it with me ... "It's time for new shoes!"
February 15, 2010
Honestly... I feel as though I am the most blessed girl in the all of the WORLD!
Married to the man of my dreams, persuing the career of my dreams... it honestly doesn't get better than this!
It was GORGEOUS yesterday and my Valentine and I rode 40+ miles on our Road Bikes together - we did the Paradise Valley loop.. my first Bike ride ever!! Honestly, the best day of my life... well Top 5. I told Brett that if I didn't count the day we got back together, or the day we got engaged/the day we got married, any days on our various tours of the world... this was honestly the best day of my life!
We had an amazing Valentine's Day. We woke up, had bagels and coffee on Polk street with Hurley. Then rode our bikes 40+ miles, over the Golden gate, through Marin, through Paradise Valley loop and then Tiberon, then back over the Golden Gate! Pure Bliss. And my airway - totally not an issue, through the hills and going down hills 25+miles per hour... it was AH-MAZ-ING! Then we went to dinner at our fav Indian food place then saw It's Complicated!
It's been an amazing journey! School's going great!! Lots of fun and meeting great friends!
Oh, and I've signed up for Two Triathlons! April 17th, which is a "sprint tri" in it's in Marin and July 10th on Treasure Island which is Olymipic distance! Cannot wait! Cannot believe I'm going to do this either.. Nursing School or Tri's! HAHAHAHAA HA HA!
February 2, 2010
Serendipity at it's VERY BEST!
On April 1, I will be a speaker at Every 15 Minutes at Clayton Valley High School again. This is truely such a great honor, as I have now spoken there for the past 3-5 years (WOW).
Today, I went to school, met with a Tutor for my Pharm and Physio class and then met with my two new friends Lindsey and Theresa. It's amazing how much we have in common, it must be due to the face that we are all attempting the same great feat, but seriously, you know when you just click with people - you just know. They have me laughing my face off constantly.
I really do feel so serendipitous these days. It was about three years ago that I imagined my life the way it is in the here and now. I remember I was watching the Secret, wishing I could be a nurse, putting it out there, hoping that I would go to school and live in SF and now look where I am at - doing JUST that!
Theresa and I have a very long talk yesterday when we should have been studying. She endured hardship with her mom battling Luekemia. The doctors told her that her Mom had really no chance of survival, and that they could try a very risky two day surgery, but that they really should say their good-byes before she went into her surgery. She received an entire blood transfusion and a stem cell transfusion and beat the odds. It was truely remarkable, and I felt humbled by her Mom's courage in the face of adversity. She would put on viking helment with long golden pigtails and call her self "Bruce-Hilda" everytime she would go in for Chemo. A true inspiration and really speaks to the heart of your outlook on life has the power to potentially save your life.
I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people like Theresa. The entire group seems very neat. I can't tell you how exciting this is for me :)
Today, I went to school, met with a Tutor for my Pharm and Physio class and then met with my two new friends Lindsey and Theresa. It's amazing how much we have in common, it must be due to the face that we are all attempting the same great feat, but seriously, you know when you just click with people - you just know. They have me laughing my face off constantly.
I really do feel so serendipitous these days. It was about three years ago that I imagined my life the way it is in the here and now. I remember I was watching the Secret, wishing I could be a nurse, putting it out there, hoping that I would go to school and live in SF and now look where I am at - doing JUST that!
Theresa and I have a very long talk yesterday when we should have been studying. She endured hardship with her mom battling Luekemia. The doctors told her that her Mom had really no chance of survival, and that they could try a very risky two day surgery, but that they really should say their good-byes before she went into her surgery. She received an entire blood transfusion and a stem cell transfusion and beat the odds. It was truely remarkable, and I felt humbled by her Mom's courage in the face of adversity. She would put on viking helment with long golden pigtails and call her self "Bruce-Hilda" everytime she would go in for Chemo. A true inspiration and really speaks to the heart of your outlook on life has the power to potentially save your life.
I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people like Theresa. The entire group seems very neat. I can't tell you how exciting this is for me :)
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