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Well, I've got a little less than two weeks left here in Florida. It's been an interesting few months here. I came with the intention that I am going to have a super relaxing and care-free stay here. I didn't really think that I would have a significantly different reaction physically and emotionally to my hiatus. I mean that it was very hard for the first month to just stop thinking about what I need to do. I wasn't used to not having a schedule, nor was I used to not have demands left and right. Finally, I mentally won this battle. I came here to just not do anything. I guess I felt that I was pressuring myself that I need to keep myself busy. And, that's where the physical comes in. My neck was hurting really bad the last couple months. Like, terrible. Stiffness, pain, little range of motion ability, etc. So, I got my massages from a lovely girl out here who actually lives in the building next to us, and I feel a million times better. I know for a fact that all my tension likes to hang out in my neck and upper back, so I've gotta get my massages and back cracks. It's a fact. And, I'm not going to hide it.
The other important physical change I needed to accomplish was getting into better shape. I told myself that these few months were for ME. And, I've been following through. I've toned up and I run 5K every day (on the treadmill because it's still too cold for my ears... boo), and finally signed up for the Ocean Drive 5K run (http://www.oceandriverun.com/2010/), on March 13. I'm excited! I just love the energy of races, and the feeling of completing the run.
I've made a new friend out here. Her name is Emiliya. She is from Russia, and moved to Florida to be with her boyfriend... and possibly future husband. It's a very unique situation. They've had a long distance relationship for a while and she decided to take the chance of starting a new life here. She is 29, and has been here for three months so far. She had a good job for a broker agency in Russia, and explained that before, her life was all work and the office. Now, she has the ability to have her life be her personal life, because she didn't really have one before. I can honestly say that I really enjoy her company. She is such a sweet and loving girl. She is very curious about my life, and about how Americans are. I try not to generalize, but at the same time, want to get her to love it here if she really ends up staying. The great thing about our relationship is that we get to practice speaking Russian and English. We mostly speak in Russian (which has been great for me because I really think it has improved), and I help her with irregular verbs, grammar, and have taught her many words that she hasn't learned quite yet. Practice makes perfect! Tonight we have another dinner date and then get to enjoy the midnight showing of Alice in Wonderland! I know she will be entertained by how people get dressed up for midnight showings.
Now, moving on to stuff for school... I received an email with a ton of information for my program. I have to get all sorts of background checks done, medical tests, etc. I also found out that my program has a laptop initiative program where they give each student their own laptop to use for school and then get to keep when they are done. It was a surprise- I think I'll give it to my Mom after school is done (not sure what the rules are, but I know that I'd rather use my Mac). I also have a list of contacts for apartments. I am excited and nervous. I am willing to be very flexible such as living farther from campus, not having a dishwasher or washer/dryer, etc. etc. because of my price range and decision that I want to live alone!!!!
So, we'll see how everything turns out.
Thanks for reading, pals.

Kind of back to reality, sort of, but not really. Maybe.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand she's back!
In Florida.
I have had quite a bit on my mind lately. Too much to handle. First, I am so jet lag from traveling and my allergies totally went insane that I am physically so exhausted that I can't actually feel tired. Not sure if that quite makes sense.
The rest of my trip was great. Rachel mentioned that she still liked me after our nine days together, so all is good in the world. ;) We were able to travel to Waikiki, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, the north shore (a couple times!), hiked Diamond Head and also at the Hawaiian nature center. We also went whale watching, and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center all day for some Polynesian fun, luau, (got lei'd, finally) and much more. I drank from a pineapple. JEALOUS?
Moving on...
A few interesting things kept happening during our travels:
1) At the north shore we saw a jet ski rescue. We weren't sure if they were practicing because they all high-fived eachother after, but the guy they rescued looked like an ordinary man in about his 50's, balding, wearing average swim shorts.
2) At Diamond Head, a young guy ended up passing out on his way up, and we saw the emergency team air lift him. So, we pretty much came to the conclusion that Hawaii rocks at saving people.
3) There was this reaaaallllyyy obnoxious family that we kept seeing the first few days. The dad was really rude to the bus driver on one of our buses (where we first noticed the family) when the bus driver repeatedly told him that the front seats were for the elderly and disabled. Then, we also saw them at Diamond Head. And then, we saw them at the north shore. It was horrible. They were wearing stupid white sneakers and long white socks and dumb collared shirts that were obviously not fit for the 80 degree weather at the beach... so that was bizarre.
4) Weird people enjoyed talking to us. Rachel had mentioned that this would occur often when she was out and about, but with the two of us, it was like EVERYWHERE. This one guy even insisted that we were on another bus with him and were carrying a very large bag (not true). He was so excited about this that he decided to tap me on the shoulder and tell me how he remembers this occasion, that never really happened. Oh yes, one bus ride a lady was laughing hysterically and talking to herself. It was quite the eerie entertainment.
A few interesting things about Hawaii:
1) Spam. Everywhere. It's like their favorite thing. I don't care how expensive imports are, because SICK. They even have Spam sushi.
2) ABC stores. It's like everything you'd ever want and need from Hawaii. Sunscreen, food, towels, postcards, candy, Hawaiian shirts, etc. etc.
3) They love IHOP, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, KFC, and not actually having a dollar menu at any fast food joint or five dollar foot longs at Subway, because, well, someone has to pay for all the importing!
4) Cars. They love them. All kinds. It's like a melting pot of all the cars ever made. Once again, yay for imports!
5) You can take a plane to the other islands. I want to do that next time.
6) People actually wear Hawaiian shirts. Natives and tourists. It's the bus driver's uniform.

That's about all that I can think of at the moment. But in all honesty, Hawaii was wonderful. I am so thankful for having this opportunity to go. The scenery was breathtaking every day, and hard to get used to because it was so unique. You'd see flowers and palm trees, and then mountains and the ocean in the background. Unfortunately, the flights were brutal only because of my sensitive ears (thank the higher power for ear plugs), and for annoying people in general. I could never ever ever be a flight attendant!

Here is a link to my pictures: http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=993207026/a=2083123026_2083123026/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
(Courtesy of Rachel and her sister Michelle. I didn't actually take them.)

On another topic...
To my fellow readers: Please, please send me any information you have on loans or scholarship opportunities. I am trying to get this shit taken care of as much as possible while I am doing nothing in Florida.
Also, my tummy has been a-hurtin a lot lately, and I've been a-craving some new eats, so I would love some food/cooking suggestions!

Lastly, I finished "The Wild Things" by Dave Eggars, based off of Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are." And, on one of my plane rides, they happened to offer the recently released movie. I would say that the movie was pretty good, and made me appreciate the details in the book more. Now, I need to go back and read the illustrated version...

Home sweet home

I've officially moved back home. Well, actually moved into my grandma's house. It's the best. I have been fighting a cough, so being pampered has been great- I am very thankful =D
I am in the process of unpacking. I haven't really been successful. I realize that I have more clothes than I know what to do with. My sister Amy keeps getting me more excited to get rid of this stuff and go shopping with her. We are good at that.
I will be leaving for Florida on December 29. In the meantime, I want to get better, see my friends, unpack and put everything away, paint my nails, back up my info on my computer before I get my new one, and clean my car.... but WifeSwap is on. I swear I'll get to it after this episode.