Best Moments of 2006

After seeing Sue's post, I decided to write a 2006 review of my most favorite memories..
Overall, it was a wonderful year with many revelations, adventures, forming new friendships and renewing old ones and making dreams come true......
As far as making dreams come true, with my beloved Saji's help, I've decided to go back to Grad school to pursue my NP career.. This not only helped me stay focused, but helped me juggle all of my responsibilities. I must admit, i'm doing a pretty good job so far :)
As far as my RN career, I'm fortuanate to work in a prestigious institution where i learn something new every day. From working here, i also learned how to deal with difficult people and stay strong for my own well being. Working at a fast paced ICU means a lot of hard work, which takes a toll on my body requiring serious Physical Therapy.. For the first time in my young adult life, i've come to the realization that I have to take care of myself first so i can take care of others..
Over the last year, we had the privilege of sharing many happy moments with our family & friends..
1, Arrival of Our good friends Ann & Bobby's first baby boy Jordan.. Jordan made me realize that i have to speed up my grad school business so i can bring a bundle of joy into this world :) Soon after Jordan's arrival, Rohit came to the world confirming the same...
2, This was also the year where all of our siblings graduated.. Gigi and Reji from College and Jary from HS.. It was great to witness their accomplishments and celebrate it with them.
3, With graduation came bittersweet feelings... My lil baby brother going all the way to Buffalo for College.. I learned a lot about parenting and letting go through this experience. It was an adjustment for all of us and i'm praying it only gets better...
4, We also took part in Our Cousin Benny & Biju's wedding who both followed their hearts and showed us all the power of Love, it can overcome anything...
5, It was also the year of renewing friendships and relationships.. My most treasured being our relationship with my cousins, Matt N Tabs. We've gotten to be so much closer this year, partly to do with their move to Beacon..
6, Although we didn't go out of the country this year, I certainly enjoyed our trip to Las Vegas and Boston.. It confirmed my desire to travel the whole world with Saji :) I hope we can make that dream come true.. winning a lottery would certainly help..
7, This was also the year Saji got a new job, a place closer to home in a small company that will help him reach his potential.
8, Over the last year, we have hosted many get togethers at our home.. Sajiji Shindig, dinners, Christmas party...
9, It was also the year that we befriended our sweet neighbors, Cacilda & George. We became their adopted kids in a very short time..
10, Another significant event that I got to participate in was the Malankara Catholic Convention, 2006.. The convention helped me grow in my Malankara Catholic faith and helped me appreciate the culture.. It also made me realize that I have to become more active in Church in order to help it florish to it's full potential.
11, Finally, this was the year that I got to connect with so many new friends through joining the Fotolog... I'm so glad i joined and got to finally meet some of the girls in person @ Nina's wedding. I'm learning a lot about myself and realized how much we all have in common... I'm looking forward to the rest of the ride :)

I'm so glad i got a chance to reflect and I thank God for His many Blessings... I pray that He continues to watch over all of us and guide us in the right path as 2006 come to an end and throughout the new year..............

What Does Your Birthday Mean?

Your Birthdate: January 9

You are a born idealist, with more pet causes than you can count. You prefer be around others, both when working and while relaxing. Generous and giving, you believe you can change the world one person at a time. You're open minded and tolerant. People feel like they can tell you anything. Your strength: Your go-with-the-flow flexibility Your weakness: Your flair for the over dramatic Your power color: Pine green Your power symbol: Circle Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Where is the Love?

My prayers to those victims and their families affected by the Mumbai blasts.. I pray to God that one day all the Hatred and Brutality in this world will stop and We can all live together in Harmony... I hope all the tragedy that our parents generation and our generation have witnessed will be the end, that our children will grow up in a world of Peace and Love. I feel so helpless and all I can do is pray............



Where Is The Love?
by Black Eyed Peas

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Tagged!!!

I've been tagged by Cookie and Tabs. I should be studying for my final but i want to do this instead :)

5 things I hate:
1. Arrogance and Ignorant people
2. Body odor
3. Being stuck in Traffic and Slow drivers
4. Dirty Bathrooms (I'm obsessed about cleanlineess)
5. Snakes, Centipedes, Spiders...
6. Stress

5 things I love:
1. Folgers Coffee with International Delight Cream ( I don't drink milk)
2. Books (except text books)
3. Rice ( I can't stop eating it)
4. Clinique makeup
5. Sunny days (but not humid)

5 things I can't live without:
1. Saji and My family
2. My computer
3. My cell phone
4. My wallet
5. My Blow dryer and Straightner

5 TV characters I would want to be for a day
1. Aishwarya Rai (because she is so gorgeous and gets to wear the most beautiful saris)
2. Halle Berry (She has an awesome body)
3. Oprah (She is so filthy rich, I want to own a house in St. Lucia)
4. Christina Aguilera (because she can sing)
5. Angelina Jolie (because she is married to Brad Pitt and she is so pretty)

5 favorite clothing items:
1. My Cotton Khaki Capri pants
2. My Levis Jeans (and it fits me perfectly)
3. My Natori Pajamas (because it was my first christmas gift from saji)
4. My Barely There underwears (because it's so comfortable)
5. My Pink Lengha (it's my favorite indian outfit, a special gift from my friend Sheetu, and it's what i wore the first time Saji and I met, It's also what I wore at Matt N Tabs wedding)

5 things in my bag/purse:
1. My Wallet
2. My Cell phone
3. My Clinique Lip gloss and Bamboo Pink Lipstick
4. The tropical twist Trident sugarless gum ( I love the flavor)
5. Tissue

5 Favorite Stores:
1. Express, H&M
2. Macy's, Ann Taylor
3. Barnes & Noble
4. Victoria's Secret
5. Kenneth Cole shoe store, ALDO

5 nicknames I've had in the past:
1. Sunshine
2. Precious
3, Princess (only one person can call me this :)
4. Jeej
5. Jijimol

5 people I'm tagging:

I don't think there is anyone left, Sibil if you haven't been tagged already, mamagoose, Anushya, Ranjana

Update!!

I know it's been a loooooooooooooooooooong time since i blogged. I say that in every blog :)
Honestly, i have been addicted to fotolog, so i've been ignoring my blog. It's all sparkling11's fault :)
I've met some amazing people through flog. It's a very nice family we have..

So what's been going on in my life?
I've been busy with school, finally taking my grad school seriously. Although i was a little disappointed they changed the Informatics program into online, i like the face to face contact, and classroom setting but this does have some advantages. I'm hoping to complete it by 2008. Meanwhile, everyone wants me to be a mother already. So i really gotta finish this Masters soon.

What else? Working at the same place since last July, it's really challenging me in more ways than one. I'd really like a change, maybe Neonatal ICU would be interesting, the only thing is i'm going to have to start from scratch. Medical ICU is really hard work, physically, mentally. It's giving me serious back problems, I've been going to Physical therapy, and doing my stretching exercises. I still haven't seen any results, but i'm going to continue with the exercises, my PT is over as of friday. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong except muscle tightness.

We took our summer vacation early since i'm the least senior one, anyway it was Wonderful. We went to Las Vegas May 21st through 25th , the place is amazing. WE had a great time, we went to Grand canyon for a day. I was totally blown away by how gorgeous it is... i posted tons of pics on www.fotolog.com/sunshine918

Now, we are back to reality. work, taking a summer course, Business Telecommunications. I hope i understand some of it :)

I'll try to post more frequently, no promises though.

Happy New Year!!

Wow i can't believe it's another year already! Time is Flying!! I know i haven't written a blog in a looooooooooooooong time. What can i say? Life is hectic as usual. I've been meaning to write for the last few weeks. Although this new year had started out great, this last week absolutely sucked. I came down with the Flu (even though i got the flu vaccine). I went to work on Wednesday feeling crappy and progressively got worse, started getting a fever. I went to the Employee Health and the doctor there told me to go home and put me on Antibiotics. Meanwhile my charge nurse and Manager wasn't happy to hear that because they were down a nurse. Who cares how i felt? Once again i realize i work with a bunch of people who doesn't give a damn about anyone but themselves. At least i have one person @ work i can call a friend, Suzie. She was so sweet, she even volunteered to work for me on Monday so i don't use up all my sick time. Anyway poor Saji had to come pick me up from work and by the next day i was feeling worse. So bad that i even had a fainting episode. I never felt so scared before. I went to my Primary care MD and he diagnosed me with the Flu and by then Saji started getting some symptoms as well. So anyway both of us have been stuck home for the past few days, drinking soups, and taking evey OTC drugs possible and watching movies. It was a Blockbuster night yesterday. WE saw Wedding Crashers and Meet The Fockers. WEdding Crashers is sooooooooo hysterical. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are a riot!!
Saji has been so wonderful taking care of me. I'm sorry i gave you the flu though :( WE are starting to feel a little better now. Actually we finally stepped out of our Cocoon to shop @ Cosco today, of course it had to rain though. I even got a Facial done, it's been long overdue. It was at an Indian Salon, the woman who did my face practically left a big bruise on my nose, SHe just went a little nuts trying to remove all my black-heads from my nose. This is why i don't get them done, i hate putting myself through pain. AWW!! Anyway, my face feels smoother though. That's what i keep telling myself! Why do we as Women torture ourselves to look good, while Men grow facial hair and it makes them lood rugged?? So Unfair!!
What else has been going on? Well i got into PACE, i'm planning on starting this January but unfortunately it's been a little frustrating trying to coordinate my work schedule and class schedule. This one class that i can acutally take this semester i found out yesterday is a Web/Video assisted class, i wish i had known that a head of time. Becuase i've been running around tyring to finsih all the paper work for my Health Clearance to take this class. Now i have no idea what to do. Hopefully i have a better idea on Tuesday when i go for the Orientation.
What else? It was my birthday this past Monday. I turned 25. It's been a quarter of a century in Planet Earth. Huh, i guess it's down hill from now?? :) Actually i'm looking forward to this year. I thank God for everything He has blessed me with: my family, my home, my wonderful husband, my job and most importantly my health and happiness. I pray that He continue to shower his Blessings upon me. Amen!! Life is just too short to take for granted.
Well there is so much more to write but i'm getting tired. We were supposed to go to Ann & Bobby's Baby shower today, but we don't want to spread our germes. I'm disappointed we can't go though. OH well, back to the movies, we have Four Brothers and The Notebook to watch today.
Take care and God Bless!!!

"Lord, make me an Instrument of your peace."

Well Summer has come and gone so fast and it's officially Autumn in NY. Although i love the colors, Fall is not my favorite season. It just reminds me of the dreadful winter ahead. But then i think about the Holidays, which is the only thing that brightens up my spirit. This past week was AWFUL!! The weather was absolutely horrendous. All the rain actually resulted in flooding my parents basement. Besides the weather, i wasn't feeling my best, mentally or physically. I decided to do a night shift at my old job on Monday night (i still work on a per-diem basis). It was a major mistake, not only was it busy but i ended up getting scratched by my Confused patient. Then i had the pleasure of waiting 2 hours after my shift was over in the ER to get it checked out. I had to get blood drawn to check my Hepatitis Titer and get a Tetanus shot. Meanwhile i was feeling very dizzy cuz i hadn't ate anything all night. On top of that, I had issues with my paycheck which i had to fix. So i didn't get home until early afternoon on Tuesday. By wednesday morning, my arm was soooooo sore , from the tetanus shot. And i had to work 3 days in a row @ Columbia, which in itself is dreadful enough. On top of that, i had the heaviest patient in the Unit. I had an awful migraine on wednesday night, i was almost nauseous by the time i went to bed. THen i woke up with a stiff neck the next day. After the incident with my confused patient, i was really feeling down about my choice of profession. I could have done anything else with my life, why did i become a nurse? Unfortunately we never get the credit and gratitude we deserve for everything Nurses do. We are slowly gaining our Respect as a profession. I feel like as a young nurse, still new in the profession, i have to work extra hard to gain respect from my colleagus, patients and their families. And sometimes it's

just too much!

Then i think about Why i chose this path? I feel unlike any profession, as a Nurse i'm there for my patients in their most weakest moments. As a critical care nurse, I do everything i can to keep my patients comfortable while they take their last breath and on occasions i have seen miracles happen. For example, I had a young patient with severe pancreatitis last week, who was very critical. The whole team of doctors and nurses worked very hard to keep him alive and when i got back to work this week, he was off of his dialysis machine and off of all the pressors, awake, doing dramatically better. And to top it off, we got an amazingly grateful letter from the family for everything we did. Although it's very rare to see such a total turn around, usually although we do everything imaginable, we end up losing more times than winning. By now i've came to accept it as a fact of Life. But moments like this reminds me why i became a Nurse.

A Nurse's Prayer

Let me dedicate my life today
to the care of those
who come my way.

Let me touch each one
with healing hand
and gentle art
for which I stand.

And then tonight
when day is done,
O let me rest in peace
if I helped just one..

Last sunday was the Malankara Youth day and the following prayer was part of the homily. I found the prayer to be very touching and we actually received a frame of the Prayer of Assisi as a house-warming gift from one of the Sisters.

St. Francis of Assissi

Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . .hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
where there is sadness . . .joy

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . .as to console
To be understood . . .as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . .that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . .that we are born to eternal life