HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!
I am off to Dallas for the weekend...I am going to see a friend of mine from Atlanta that moved to Dallas a few months after I left...She taught me the only three phrases of French I know....(I know it's hard to imagine me speaking French!)
Anyway--not much to say...just wanted to check in. I am at work --it's 5:45--I am leaving from here to get on a plane for a couple of hours...whew -- what a long night! I'll post pics of me and Juls!!!

Amber

So, I am flying to Boston the first week in May to set up shop for the summer...I will be living right on the Charles River in the Charles River Park apartments...the apts. are soooo nice...I am really excited about this assignment...I think the work will be challenging and the city will be beautiful...

I have been extremely frustrated the last couple of weeks with my current position. I have had to go work in different units than I was hired in and that's never a fun thing...usually I go and work in the PICU (pediatric ICU) but the other day I was floated for four hours to the burn unit...I think I would have rather had to run for four straight hours than work down there...I don't really have patience for stupidity and the pt I had was being young and dumb when he caught himself on fire...the other issue with this hospital is the power play the ladies in management have...I called in sick the other day and the assistant manager of the unit called and harrassed me about it on Monday...then she gave my company a substandard evaluation of my work...being sick has nothing to do with my work...I don't even know this lady...never seen her, much less worked with her for her to know if I am a good or bad nurse...anyway, these are just a few of the things that led me to Boston...I really feel good about the decision although it was a hard one...You guys have been kind of quiet -- I want to hear from you!

Ava is coming back Brock and Mia...see you soon.

Amber

Back to the broken wrist...I have my followup appointment tomorrow...so I came home to see mom and the fam...good, quick trip...everyone is good...I'll be back in Little Rock tomorrow...my contract is up in Little Rock in the next month. I have a ton of choices, but I have narrowed it down to Boston or staying in Little Rock...they have reoffered me the bonus...I'll let you know what I decide!

Happy Spring Everyone...things are going just fine here in the small town of Little Rock...It seems to be the perfect dose of medicine for me...I have rested well and have been working extra...no real news...of course, there have been dates and tears over some of those dates, but then the next one comes along and makes up for the jerk who didn't know what he was letting go. (Isn't that what I'm supposed to say?) No seriously...I am really liking the city...not a heck of a lot to do here, but it's a very easy going city. I want to go to Boston for baseball season, but I don't know if that is going to happen or not...currently, there are no ICU jobs open there from what I hear, but that can't be the case...I kind of have a feeling my recruiters are jerking me around like they have been on a couple of other issues...so we'll see what happens.

The people here are super--I have met a wonderful friend here...so much fun, beautiful, and the greatest personality! I will try to post a pic of us in the next couple of days...we got some snow and ice here a couple of weeks ago and I got snowed in at her house with her and her two daughters...It was loads of fun...eating junk food and not working out!

I went to my first Catholic mass on Sunday night...very interesting and eye opening...the things you here being brought up southern baptist aren't always the correct things about catholicism...it's always good to experience it first hand...a lot of up and down and saying "watermelon watermelon watermelon", but other than that -- I was intrigued...and went to target on a date after church...at least I think it was a date....hmm...that's definitely a later blog!

Brock Nelson--I wish you the best of luck in LA buddy! I'll come see you sometime this month and Mia Peretti--we'll figure out how to get together soon!

Ava

Happy Singles Awareness Day everyone! I am still enjoying my time here in Little Rock...I went and spent the night with my grandfather this past weekend -- it was soooo good to see him...he hasn't been in the best of health these past few years and is continuing to have health problems....but he's up and walking around--and in good spirits, it seems....He's such a special part of me--we spent a lot of time together when I was younger--it was good to reminisce with him! He is a master story teller, although these days his memory is starting to fail him...he tells stories of me running away from home, picking my grandmother's flowers from the yard -- and being so proud of it! Stories of country girls and those "damn goats"...sweltering summers under the oak tree...and picking vegetables out of the garden! Although he is older now, and can't do the things he wants to do--he will forever remain as agile and strong as when I was just a little girl playing out his front yard! I love you papaw--YOU will forever be my sweetheart!
For those of you who are my friends...my true soulmates...(especially my mom!) Happy Valentine's Day--I could never be who I am without you. I rely on you during my times of hurt and pain...joy and excitement! I couldn't have the wondeful life I have without the most wonderful people in the world standing by my side, always willing to hold my hand! Thank you for listening to my silly stories and comforting me when I need it! I love you--you will never know the depth of my unfailing love for you!

~Amber Nicole

Superfly!


This is my brother, Taylor, and I....

Everything here is good...no real news...I had some sushi last night and while the rolls were good...I have to say the sashimi was a bit disappointing...sorry T--it's usually better than that--you'll have to have some "real" sashimi sometime!


~Ava

Arkansas -- wow...I never expected it to be like this...first of all, I have to drive through the forest to get to my apt. The city is really spread out...I live way out in the west part of Little Rock (which is a really nice part), but everything is really more central than I live...I have to find a gym asap...that is pretty much the only thing to do here--but no one seems to go to the gym! It is actually a very nice city...a bit smaller than I thought it would be, but I am really enjoying it so far! It's nice to feel like I am at home...

The hospital is awesome...a really good and effecient unit. The surgeon is off this week so they are a bit slow which is good since I am in orientation. I really start on my own Friday night. They do some really good things, but they are definitely behind the times...for my medical friends...they are just now getting biopatches to use on their lines. They don't dress their heart lines...they just leave them open to air. Their flowsheet is on a drawing board instead of a bedside table. Everyone is super nice...and they don't treat me like an idiot. They ask questions about different ways to do things. I get the feeling the nurses don't have a lot of autonomy here though. The doctors hardly ever talk to the nurses--even in rounds. And it is not a teaching hospital--no residents or fellows--which is going to be nice! Anyway, enough mumbo jumbo...

It will definitely be an adventure here--that's for sure! The weather is super nice...I haven't worn a jacket since I have been here...the temp has been in the high 60's...

~Amber

THE CAST IS OFF!!!! Six long weeks...but I'm finally going back to work! My wrist is a little sore and he gave me a splint to wear while lifting things...(that will get plenty of work this weekend moving)!! So, I am off to Little Rock--I'll be out of the internet loop all weekend...the cable guys are coming monday...

So tomorrow should be the big day--my cast is SUPPOSEDLY coming off...for those of you who don't know...my nursing position in Little Rock, AR was postponed by a week--making this the fifth week i haven't worked...which makes it very hard on finances...Anyway, everyone please say a quick prayer for my wrist -- I really need and WANT to get back to work...

I talked to a few good friends back in Atlanta yesterday...I took care of their children in the ICU in Atlanta the past couple of years...they are both doing well...This picture is of Mia...the first one is of her in the ICU...Mia was probably the sickest little girl I've ever seen after surgery...she had a really hard time, but she made it through and will actually have to go back to surgery sometime this year...Mia turned two and is doing extremely well...Her parents, Chris and Natalie, mean the world to me!!! I'll get back to Atlanta soon you two!


This is Mia a few weeks ago!!! Natalie says she is walking now--yea!!! And she said a few words to me on the phone yesterday!!! I love you sweet girl!

I haven't been doing much this past week...trying to do a lot more with my left hand...it is definitely getting stronger, but I am all too eager to get back in the gym!!!! Hiring a trainer in Little Rock will be a number one priority...I have started reading The Purpose Driven Life...I am probably the last one to read it, but I'lll let you know how it goes...

Thank you for all your phone calls and emails...it really means so much to me to hear from all of you guys! It has been tough not being in my element, but having a "home" here with my family has been invaluable! Mom wanted to know if I wanted to buy a house here in Center Star, Al??? *huge laugh* I'll think about it mom! Tomorrow is my last day with her and Sophie...I'll miss them...

Did anyone see the Oprah show yesterday on the bird flu??? What did you think? I need to hear someone else's opinion before I share mine...

Love you guys,
Amber

My mom is keeping this little girl that her neighbor's adopted from the Ukraine...she is a really cute little girl, but the most impressive thing to me is her personality. She loves to dance--to anything...a commercial can come on the tv and she'll start dancing...her speech is of course a little hard to understand, her being two and all...she calls my mom "titi" (my mom's name is tina)...it's hilarious...she just looks and you and smiles after she says it...She has a wonderful family and a wonderful sitter (though I might be a little biased on that)....She's a lucky little girl...Her mom has a blog that she has kept from the beginning of the process of adopting Sophie...It's a great website and I'll put the link up...Here are a couple of pics of Sophie...Enjoy!!

Back from Vegas...very tired...spent all of my birthday in the airport! I missed my flight so I wound up not getting home until about 10 CST which is 8 Vegas time...so basically it was another 12 hour traveling day...



Vegas was a blast...I would like to say it was without drama, but I would be lying...The biggest mistake you could ever make is to take someone you actually like to Vegas...because by the end...you aren't going to like them in the least bit...Let's just say we turned in to evil practical jokers--Brock, Mia, and I were all fine...we rocked the Hard Rock at least three nights...we saw all the UFC guys and went to a party of theirs...The guy from fear factor was there...too bad Nico wasn't there, Mia...he could have name dropped him now!!! I find name dropping extremely annoying...Mia was "dating" this guy who knew- somebody- who -was- about -to -get- out- of- work- that- could- get- us- into- somewhere- that- was- really -really -cool- and- we- are- just- going- to- wait- on- him- for- another- couple- of- minutes...he tried to name drop all night and really the only person who got dropped was him by the end of the night...we lost him...after we got rid of him, we actually had a lot of fun...



The hotels are crazy big...bigger than I ever thought they would be. The Paris was probably my favorite followed by Caesar's Palace...The Bellagio was nice, but the bartender was SMOKING HOT...Hah hah "fruit loop" Brock N! I didn't gamble at all...I just always think of what I could have spent that money on...but I have no problem gambling other people's money! I wound up seeing a couple of people I knew from Mississippi way back when...they were standing at the bar--both were in town for business--we haven't seen each other for about five years...crazy, how small of a world it is...



I don't know when i am going to AR...the past couple of days have been so crazy...I guess they decided it wasn't in their (the hospital) best interest to have me come right now with a cast on my hand...which is fine, but they should have told me that before the day I was going to move...everything is up in the air at this point...I have to start next week though or my insurance lapses...anyway--it will work out...I am just anxious to get this cast off and go back to my regular life.

Enjoy the pictures...



Amber

HAPPY NEW YEAR--I have been traveling quite a bit lately, but not in exotic locations...I have been lucky enough to be able to see pretty much my whole family in the last two weeks...I have also been able to see friends I haven't seen in a couple of years, see their husbands and children I've never met because I've been busy traveling and working...it's nice to be able to sit and tell stories and listen to how their lives have played out.Granted, I have had to work at sitting still...I still can't drive anywhere because of insurance purposes with this cast, but I can move all of my fingers and I am even typing with two hands now...It's been an interesting journey with this broken wrist, but I have enjoyed the slow pace my life has taken within the past couple of weeks...
Interesting life I lead--broken wrist snowboarding and kidnapped by hell's angels--I am at my dad's house right now...he bought a bike last year and he just had really loud pipes put on it--he took me on a ride the other day--yes, broken arm and all...I have to admit--I was a little nervous when we started turning and I could only hold on with one hand...But the bike is sooooo nice...I'm still alive in one piece (except my wrist of course)...my brother and sister went back to school today and I have been all alone in the house for the first time since I've been injured...I've watched more movies than I care to count and even folded some clothes today...that is a huge accomplishment for those that have never tried to fold clothes with one hand...it only took me an hour! hah...
Hopefully, I get this cast off on Tuesday and a smaller one put on! Then it's off to VEGAS with Mia Peretti and Brock Nelson...Josh is also flying out...we've got to come up with a good bar name for him...so there should be good pictures and great stories!

~Ava B.

a cast larger than the first....this just keeps getting better and better....my ticket to vegas is about to be null and void because my ticket was to fly out of little rock on southwest and i can't get there or nashville (the closest sw city). soooo..i think i'm going to have to buy another, more expensive ticket......it's so frustrating to have to rely on other people for rides to places...hell, even to get dressed...it was good to see my family though...i miss them

Sooooo.....Maybe the snowboarding wasn't my thing, since I broke, not one bone, but two bones in my arm. I wound up in the emergency room at 11:00 pm the first night. Let me tell you about having your hand set-IT HURTS! I didn't cry until he had to uncross the bones in my wrist. And then the flood gates opened. Still in some pain but hopefully will be better soon. I'll be out of work for about 6 weeks but hopefully will still be in Little Rock. I should hear from my company sometime this week regarding placement.

Packing really stinks(mom's word not mine) when you have two hands, but try packing with one hand. I don't know what I would have done without Kristie (the arm wrestling queen-pictures will come later). She did my hair(in a way I didn't think could be done), washed my clothes, and packed my car. I also couldn't have done it without my step dad getting my brother a plane ticket on such short notice (the next day) and my brother hauling all my crap through three states. What a great and gorgeous family (there she goes again-trying to edit).

So for now, I'm sitting on my mom's couch while I dictate and she types.(And tries to edit) I'll be here at least a couple more weeks and will be appearing in Las Vegas for my birthday January 17 (presents accepted). hee hee...So give me a call if you get bored...I'll be here!

I go to the doctor on Wednesday to get a permenant cast. Hopefully he'll tell me everything looks good and I won't need surgery. I will be in a cast for about 5 more weeks...That's it for now....Hopefully I'll have pictures up soon. Have to figure out how to get pics from my computer (without internet @ mom's house) to my mom's computer (with internet--wireless...which i don't have--next project)...okay, that's it.

oh, but i was THE cutest one up there with my outfit....even Josh said so...hah!
ciao,
Ava Giselle B
aka Amber Nicole

Snowboarding--this is my latest undertaking...well, it will be as of this coming weekend...I can already see the bruises and the faceplanting...the snow and the hot tub....and the pictures indicting me of all my clumsiness...(probably on my butt more than my feet!) I am really excited about the trip..we are heading up to Penn. on Sat morning pretty early and I'll take about a one hour lesson (while my friends look on and laugh hysterically)and then learn how to get on and off the lift...now that in itself scares me a little. But, I can say--at least my outfit will match and I will look cute--hah...

The weather up here is getting pretty cold...21 degrees at the moment...no snow (on the way to work it was raining...so I am sure I'll be driving on some ice tomorrow morning). I have to work a few night shifts before I come home for Christmas, but only four...I am going to drive home the day after Christmas with a carload of stuff...possibly stopping in Knoxville to see some friends...(I don't know if I can drive 14 hours home or not)...anyway...to say the least--if you want to call me the day after Christmas...well, I will have plenty of time to talk! I'll let you guys know how the snowboarding went...and I am sure there will be plenty of pics...


Amber

VEGAS!!!!!! Just kidding....I thought for a second it was going to be vegas, but alas I am heading to the metropolis of Little Rock, AR. Who would have thought when I started all of this, I would wind up in Arkansas??? Truth be told, I am actually really excited about the move...it's close to home...and to Brock Nelson--hah hah (that's for you Casey and Kristie)...I don't know my new address yet, but I will know in the next couple of weeks...I will be traveling the day after Christmas so everyone think about me and pray for my safety...
The weather up here has turned a bit chilly...It snowed 6 inches--Casey got snowed in to DC and we went and played in the snow...and went into Old Town after that...we had a really fun night singing in the Irish Pub around the corner...the guy tried to sing Irish Johnny Cash....Oh my! Stick with the alligator song and "Alice"....

Speaking of Johnny Cash--"Walk the Line" is a great movie...especially if you are from the south...a lot of it was filmed in Memphis--but the buildings that were next to each other in the movie aren't really together in downtown...funny how they can do that in movies....Joaquin Phoenix was phenomenal! He should definitely win an Oscar for this role...if you watch old Johnny Cash and Joaquin--he has his moves, his lip curl, and the way he hangs his head when he sings and plays...and Reese Witherspoon is so fricken cute in this movie--June Carter was no where near as beautiful as she was portrayed! They both did a great job! They both would have been proud...
So Casey (my best friend) was in town this past week...there are so many stories to tell....but I have just gotten home from work....so I will save those for later...I promise it won't take me so long to update next time!

Oh, everyone needs to send me their Christmas list because of course I have waited until the last minute!

Cheers,
~Amber aka..Ava Giselle Beadreaux

Thanksgiving is this week! I am not going home, which saddens me so much...I am, however, cooking thanksgiving dinner with my "step-godparents"....and one of my very best friends in the world (Sharlie)...Brian Corbett is coming into town (from Miami--a friend of mine from Atlanta who moved to Miami--his brother is here in DC...) and I will get to spend time with him...

Thanksgiving should be interesting...we will be having Lynn/Dianne (step-god-parents), two friends of theirs (who's son I dated briefly when I first moved here--haven't talked to him in a month!), Sharlie and her husband, Courtney (Lynne and Dianne's daughter from Houston), Sharlie's sister, and little ole' me....I am helping with the cooking -- Lynne and I talk Southern Living recipes all the time! Hah...so this is my one chance to prove my cooking skills....

Country is going to the big city--that's right folks...NEW YORK CITY...here I come! About five of us are heading up to NYC on Friday for a little shopping and Broadway....(I should have some interesting stories after this week!) So head up your Christmas lists and send them to me by Friday!

As far as where the wind is taking me next, I thought it was going to be Phoenix--but I got a call from my recruiter and she has an awesome job opportunity in New Hampshire and Seattle also....soooooo....I have a pretty big decision to make within the next week...I don't know what I am going to do...It is really hard to try and decide where you are going to live for the next three months....I do like DC so much more than I did originally, but the hospital is so scary -- I don't know if I can work there for three more months...we'll see...

I would post more pics, but I need to charge the batteries for my camera...so when I get that done--you will have more pics....(Mom, I'll send you the ones from your visit too!) I am excited about this week--I have so much to be thankful for, but that is for another post...off to play in the cold weather!

Ciao,
~Amber

"BABY BABY BABY"....wow, that is what I hear my 15 year old brother say to his girlfriend on the phone....now, for those of you who don't have a younger brother--I will try and describe the cringe that swept up and down my spine. I wouldn't say we were close by any stretch of the imagination, but to hear him talking to a girl like that was definitely a wake up call for me--he's not that annoying little boy anymore...he's growing up to become such a great guy (hopefully he won't be jaded by girls very soon)...My family is in town and to see them is like Godiva chocolate--soooo goood ( in my best Adam Sandler voice)....all the monuments in one day--whew...but, I am going to sleep tonight after being with my momma all day! I am getting my hair did tomorrow morning--pictures will follow...I promise! BABY

I woke up today and it was so beautiful, but I was so melancholy....I have had a hard time meeting people here in DC. It is definitely true what they say about the north!!! (For those of you who don't think DC is the north, you obviously have never lived in the south!) People up here are nice once you get to know them, but they don't go out of their way to make friends. They will run over you in their car, cuss you out for driving like a normal person (and I've been driving in Atlanta for the past three years), and then flip you off just for good measure. The parking is soooo bad around here...I remember getting so frustrated in Atlanta because everywhere was valet parkingl. I get to place up here and am offended they don't have valet parking! The paradox of it all!

The weather has been absolutely breathtaking! The sunshine on my skin, the wind through my hair, and the cool air has been more amazing than words will ever be able to describe. The leaves are starting to change now and the view of the city is becoming more and more pituresque. I spent most of the day by myself today...I started the day by reading a little with my doors open..then went to see Elizabethtown (which I thought was great) and then had one of those moments where you are driving but don't really know where you are going...I wound up at the capitol...It wasn't like it was a premeditated trip...there I was just sitting at a redlight and it was right in front of me!
So magestic in its grace and beauty....it's huge for those of you who have never been. There were people just sitting out and enjoying the day talking to their friends and chilling outside of the capitol like it was their front yard! From the steps you look behind you and you see the national mall...it's absolutely humbling! All the history classes you have ever taken could never prepare you for the grandeur and majesty of it all....thinking about George Washington and all of the great men who have walked exactly where you are standing at that moment! Ok so blah blah...I'm done with my patriotic diatribe...

So, I'll just come out and say it-- I miss Atlanta...I miss my friends and the familiar places...I miss having fifty people I could call on a saturday night and go anywhere I want and have someone to hang out with. I miss the hot men and the gorgeous women--I miss my gym with all the eye candy it possessed...I have met only a handful of people here and they are pretty much all the same. They are more concerned with how many people they are dating than the quality of the people they are dating. Watching the movie today, I laughed out loud at so many things other people turned around at me for...and I realized half way through the movie -- the reason they didn't laugh is because they didn't understand...the funniest part of the movie was because I "knew" those people....going back to small town Mississippi! The great-uncle you don't remember, but you pretend to as he is pinching your cheeks....the song "Freebird"...everyone always yells that anytime any live band is playing! I miss the south, but I am not giving up just yet! My mamaw (grandmother for those of you who don't know what a mamaw is) called me today and just checked in on me --she asked me about cute "nawthawn" boys...I told her I hadn't met any! She laughed and told me I should move back closer to home! Anything to get me closer to home--just like my mom...I miss you too! I'll be home soon!

The land of cherry blossoms and politics has been a whirlwind so far...the Smithsonian, the museum of modern art and design, the national monument, the National Air and Space Museum, old town Alexandria...the list goes on and on...so much to do--I know it has been a while since my last post, but getting here and getting everything set up and working has put me at this point...a cool, breezy Sunday afternoon with my french doors open and the sun shining on my face. It is a beautiful time of year -- the leaves are just now starting to change....and it has been sunny since I have been here.
The hospital I am working at is very different than Atlanta. I definitely know that my love is in cardiology and not general PICU. The people are generally nice...but of course there have been some sour apples...The new cardiac unit has opened and I was down there all last week. I worked four days and I saw things that should have been the simplest tasks turn into monumental upheavals. I always knew the cardiac unit in Atlanta had great nurses, but didn't realize I learned from THE BEST!! I do miss Atlanta, but I am having fun up here. I have had a rough couple of days and I work about ten times as hard as I did (because the unit in Atlanta is so well run), but all in all I have met some great people!

I met a girl from Colorado and her brother the first day of orientation. It's nice they are here because it has given me some people to hang out with...we have had so much fun just hanging out -- playing a lot of pool! The apartments are very nice--they have a "pub" that has a pool table and darts and a couple of other games and tv's...we stop by and fix coffee before we take a hike across the field to the metro for an hour's ride to work.