Christmas Traditions

My Christmas Vacation is well underway and began with one of my favorite traditions. My annual trip to work with Dad the Saturday before Christmas!

Every year on this day we take the LIRR into the city, get lunch, walk around the store (looking very official I might add), take our picture with Santa and of course get Starbucks.

I have been looking forward to this since we confirmed the day back in September. It was just after I was hired for my new job. Just like any other teacher, I checked the calendar for the upcoming days off and noticed that I would have a nice 2 week long vacation!

Check out some scenes from my visit. I am missing lunch because I was too hungry to snap a picture of my salad from Cucina.

We walked all around the store and even checked out the display windows outside...

I was happy to get some extra cardio in. Every little bit helps this time of the year.

The last time I was on 34st I was driving Santa's sleigh!

On my break..

Around 2:15 we made our way up to the 8th floor for our annual Santa picture.

The 3 hour wait... except if you are an Elf of course :)

It was so nice to see my pal Santa again. We chatted for about 10 minutes about the parade, family and what I want for Christmas. 

One more for Rudolph...

We caught a 3:51 train home. Bar time was on the train this year. I love the Starbucks in Penn Station. No matter how busy they are they always work quickly. I think some of the Long Island Starbucks should take notes.

Only 3 more sleeps until Christmas... Where has the time gone?

Wrapped In Red

Thanks to my friend Nicole (you can check out her awesome blog here) I was inspired to do an outfit blog. With it being the last week at work before Christmas vacation I have been dressing as festive as I can! Friday is even Ugly Sweater Day.

Here is todays outfit...

My "Christmas pants" as I call them are from my favorite store, White House Black Market. Sweater is from Hollister, flats from Tommy Hilfiger and scarf is from Macy's. This scarf has been with me for 4 Christmas seasons! I actually purchased it with Nicole 4 years ago when we reunited for the first time after reconnecting just before Christmas.

My scarf through the years...

Who loves Christmas? Kim LOVES Christmas. :) What else do you expect from THE ELF?

Out Of The Woods

It's been awhile! Last time I blogged I was sitting under my palapa in my favorite place in the world. Now we are less than 2 weeks away from Christmas and so much has happened!

It has been difficult to keep up with the blogs because there have just been so many things going on which makes it difficult to really devote my time to write a coherent blog post. So with that said let's catch up!

Upon my return from Aruba I went on a few interviews and landed my first big girl gig after college. A permanent sub position at a local middle school! So far I absolutely LOVE it. I have even had the opportunity to teach the lessons when I sub for math which has been a great experience with no pressure. Working at the same building every day has allowed the kids to get to know my face so they are familiar with me. Plus I have met a lot of great coworkers!

Before starting my new job I was able to squeeze in 1 more trip to Naples...

The weather wasn't all that great, but I was mainly there for the food...

and to race...

I am just winding down from my first semester of grad school. I can't believe my days at SJC are long gone. Grad school is just... well grad school. Just trying to get it done. My program allows for an online option which works well for my learning style.

Since the last time I blogged I have gained a new title....

I am so excited to be the MOH for my best friend/twin Tanya! I cannot believe she is ENGAGED but I am so happy for her and JT (and also taking some of the credit!) T-minus 7 days until I get to see her. The last time we saw each other was when she made her big move down south back in June!

I also ran another race....

Got a new do'....

Wined, dined and danced for JDRF...

Went back to work as The Elf....

Lastly one of the biggest decisions I have made over the past 3 months was in regard to my T1D management. The decision to go on an insulin pump.

It has taken me 11 years. I am nervous and overwhelmed, but hopeful that I will see a positive difference. A big part of my decision was thanks to the incredible Miss Idaho Sierra Sandison. I will begin a little over a week! 

A lot of new things have taken place, but I finally feel I am making it out of the woods and adjusting to my new routine!

We'll Get There Fast & Then We'll Take It Slow

...Aruba is the only place I want to go... Don't need Kokomo...

I am already in Aruba over a week and like always it has been nothing short of a great vacation. The past 9 days have been filled with sun, relaxation, great food, great company and a little adventure also! It is a little weird to think how time goes so quickly and when I return here I feel like I never left... But actually a whole year has gone by (well except for this year when it was only about 10 weeks)! 

Check out some of what has been going on!

Couldn't take off without a pre Aruba selfie

After escaping the torrential rains in NY arriving to this view was definitely comforting

First morning on the beach

I am a winner!

This needs no caption

Just hanging out

Happy hour!

Tarzan and Jane went swinging on a vine

One of my workouts! 

True statement!

What a ride with Crazy Honey!

There is something about getting up early, getting a good workout and making it down by 7:15 to enjoy coffee when the hotel is just starting to stir

Although I am having a great vacation one thing that I will never be able to vacation from is T1D. It is never perfect at home so I don't expect it to be perfect here. Having a lot of lows right before bedtime which is probably one of the most frustrating times to have a low when you just want to sleep! (Although there is no "good" time). The highs seem to occur right after breakfast, but yesterday it didn't so yay! 

All I can do is take one moment at a time. 

Looking forward to enjoying my remaining time on One Happy Island! 

Doc Appointment Don'ts

I go to a lot of doctor appointments for a woman my age. Besides the usual internist for my annual physical there is the endocrinologist for T1D, the gastroenterologist for Celiac Disease, ear doctor, eye doctor and probably a few more I am forgetting. This is probably a big reason why I am really approaching 85 on the inside.

Is it annoying to have to go to all of these appointments? Of course, but it isn't the worst thing in the world. Rather go for the check ups and make sure everything is working the way it is supposed to (except for my pancreas) than face issues down the road that could have been prevented. With that said I have had my fair share of appointments and have come across a lot of ignorance from people in the medical field which is a little scary.

I just feel like there is a code that nurses/assistants should follow when dealing with patients. A lot of times I dread going to certain appointments more than others, but when I look at the big picture I realize that is because I am ticked off to no end before I actually see the doctor! Sometimes I give myself pep talks when sitting in the exam room waiting to be seen. "Ok just get through the dumb statements...they are ignorant...bar time coming after this..."

The first instance I will share usually takes place each time I go to the endocrinologist. Besides the usual height, weight and blood pressure the nurse tests my blood sugar. 9 times out of 10 it is high. Mainly because my stress levels are through the roof, I had just eaten before and sometimes it is just high because I wore a pink shirt instead of a blue one.

Now call me crazy, but I just feel like if I was a nurse I would say the number and write it down and continue on. (Which by the way is never looked at by the doctor so why must they test it anyway?) Obviously if there was a concern I would bring it up with the doctor privately. 

Not in this office. I usually get "Ohhhhhh it is high... did you take your insulin today?"

Like.... are you kidding me fool? Did you breathe today? Of course I took my insulin. Sometimes I really feel like just going along with the stupid comment just to humor myself. Maybe next time I should respond with "Nope not today... didn't really feel like it" or "Gee you know I thought I forgot to do something this morning... thanks for the reminder." 

I'm waiting for the day when she asks if I have the good or bad kind of diabetes. 

Trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, I am sure she means no harm and doesn't think twice how what she says annoys me, but I mean come on. Have a little more smarts.. you deal with diabetic patients on a daily basis try and familiarize yourself with the unpredictable nature of this disease.


Instance 2 comes from my visit to the eye doctor today. I learned my lesson that I will no longer schedule appointments after 2pm. At 3:30 I had just seen the doctor for my 2:15 appointment.

Before seeing the doctor the nurse performed my vision test and tried some different lens strengths. Now she had complete access to my whole medical chart. Call me crazy, but maybe we should read that before saying things?

The nurse goes on to tell me how I am the perfect candidate for Lasik eye surgery. I am young, have a decent prescription, no astigmatism and no major health issues.

I thought for a second maybe I was cured of T1D?!?!

When I mentioned T1D she then quickly says "Oh no, no... yes then you are not a candidate... sorry."

Not that it was a big downer or anything. It is not like I had any intention to get the Lasik... but again, COME ON. GET THE FACTS BEFORE YOU ACT! I guess....

Enough ranting for the day. Again this is just something that is on my mind. Maybe if you are in this profession or know someone you can help pass the word along. 

Diary of the Mind

It has been a few weeks. With blogging you need to be in a certain mood or have an inspiration for a post. Lately I feel like my mind has just been all over the place that it has been hard to just sit down and write a coherent blog.

Here are some snap shots of what has been going on the past few weeks of summer. It is already August 8th... how depressing. However on the bright side that means Aruba is soon...VERY soon!

It's official

Stuffed after a Corry BBQ

Final visit with Dr. Pettei :( 

SJC reunion! 

Pretty much :( 

Who am I? 

Stepping up my workout game. Working out outside has been such a nice change! 

Ivank Trump suit!

Finished "The One and Only" by Emily Giffin. Then this happened. 

She favorited my tweet!

Loving my new conair curling wand.. Taylor Swift brunette version? 

Hopefully as I get closer to Aruba blogs will become better thought out.