Tybee Sunset

I bet you didn't know my favorite thing in the entire world is watching the sunrise/sunset on a body of water?  Alright, you probably did.  My life has been absolutely cray-cray lately.  But by the overflow of seriousness or lack of posts lately, you probably knew that, too.  It's just one thing after another! I know God is eventually going to throw me a break, I know one day I'll be able to breathe again.  all will be good in the hood for me if you will.

On any given day, I usually don't like to be alone.  I run from my problems and when I'm alone I think.  Thinking means facing your problems and I just don't do that too well.  If you haven't noticed, sarcasm is my defense mechanism.  Ya know...laughing?  Yeah, I'm pretty good at that. It's my thing. If you ain't laughing, you ain't living. And ain't nobody got time for dat.

On this particular day, I couldn't laugh though.  I had a million things going through my head, a to-do list a mile long, time was running out and no matter what I did, I couldn't breathe.  All of the time in the world wouldn't be enough for me to do what needed to be done.  I didn't want to talk to anyone, and I surely didn't want to think about or discus any options (and don't call me Shirley). I just wanted time to stand still for one second so I could breathe. I needed the beach.  I needed to stick my toes in the water, sit my butt in that hot sand, and face the simple fact that I'm alone.

I really just planned on sitting there until I could courage up enough strength to get back up and face my reality.  My intent was to miraculously learn how to turn that emotional switch of mine back on and turn off my ability to not give a crap anymore when I've had enough.  However, someone had other plans for me.  I remembered I had my camera and the sun was starting to lower.  Perfection.  I ate pizza and had a brewsky, I switched up some lenses, and I played around with sunset/twilight settings for a bit as the sun came down over the sand dunes.  I made sure I soaked up the beauty of that sunset without only looking through the lens though.

I didn't leave there with all my of life problems solved.  My to-do list was a mile longer than it was before, I discovered a cavity, and I had the dirtiest feet to accompany the sand in my eyes.  But, I could breathe again.  For two hours, I could take enough deep breaths to get me to the next day.  Tomorrow is always a new day.  For two hours, I was able to put my problems on the back burner and focus my attention on my relationship with God and my purpose in this life he gave me.  It's hard, and at times I just want to scream, to pout, and have a full on Walmart toddler tantrum.  But I know that although this may feel like the end of the world for me, it's not.  I may not be the most religious person to ever walk this earth, and I'll be the first to admit I don't always act as a Christian should...but, I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is a God that loves me and there's nothing he won't throw at me that I can't handle.  

via

My mother did a remarkable job at raising a strong, independent, and level headed woman.  I may have gave her a hard time and tested every area I could manage growing up.  But my Momma taught me to fight for what I want, fight for what I believe in, fight for what is right.  and I'll be danged if I'm going let her down now.  

via

I will overcome this, it's that simple.  

Coffee Dates with my PA

I'm late to the party, but better late and drunk than never anyways, right? And it's also okay to only post today for the sole purpose of backing that azz up, right? I thought so! Man, I'm 2 for 2 today.  I will also include pictures of the current scenic view that is just within miles of where I've been laying my head down at night these days.  You're welcome.

Indescribable, right?  That makes me 3 for 3. I just want to leave you with some food for thought before we start to #backthatazzup.  I'm a worrying mess these days, duh.  I probably always will be, too. But let's get one thing down.  I went for my 3 month check up this morning and my PA and I have more of a coffee chit chat meeting than an actual follow up.  My PA and I are from the same ole small area back in North Carolina, so it's no surprise we instantly bonded.  We share the same interests in extracurricular actives and obviously, have a love for the practice of medicine.  

Today during our coffee catch up date, she broke the news that she was leaving this practice.  My heart broke, she's been my PCM for all of the 3 years I've been in Savannah.  I'll probably never have another provider that I connect with like that.  But anyways, we talk about my journey with school a lot, and she today told me one thing I will never, ever forget..."You may take a few unintended detours along the way, but you will ultimately end up where you are needed and are meant to be."  If there's one thing she wanted me to remember about this last talk, it was that no matter what, believe in myself as she does me, and above all...finish school, be the best damn DNP I can be, and take care of myself before anyone else.  

Isn't it ironic how God selects the most random people in your life to speak through?  And isn't it crazy how I hear my Grammy, too?  You know your parents believe in you, your friends, loved ones, whatever.  But to hear it from someone who is really just your PCM, who could probably give two hoots about your personal life, that's inspiration.  I'm so thankful to have had the best PA in Savannah to provide me with such encouraging words the past few years.  

So, time to get to it.  I was gonna add a different song to correlate more with those beautiful pictures.  But, it seems more appropriate to just use the song my PA coffee date of mine brought up today.  Basically, us Carolina girls can get hood when the time comes.  We ain't just country.  I suppose I'll keep it clean though :) 

I'm a creepy picture taker.

My weekend shenans and work. Yep, work.

via

via

Friday I worked my first ever 14 hour shift in the pharmacy.  I've been a pharmacy tech almost 4 hours now and the most I've ever pulled in one day is 12 hours.  Never have I been at the pharmacy from open to close.  And let me tell you, just 2 extra hours sure makes a difference.  I even wore my Alegria Nursing shoes, but after standing on your feet for 14 hours not much can really help. When I got off work my feet, ankles, and back were aching and the next morning, aching some more.

My husband and I usually get a couples massage every few months, but of course with nursing school you don't get much spare time.  So, we've missed out on a few massages.  Our last couples massage was in December while in St. Lucia right near the beach, so I'd say that was enough to hold us until June :)  Saturday morning we called just about every where to make a last minute appointment and the only one we could find was at JW Salon and Spa in downtown Savannah.  It was featured in South Magazine's recommended places to "play at" in Savannah.  touché, South Mag. Exactly what I need!

I'm a big atmosphere person. When I walk into a place, I can tell immediately how my experience will be just by the ambience of it.  It's not surprise I fell in love with this place because it's set in beautiful historic Savannah on York St, which is easily one of my favorite streets. More about that another time.  It's also directly across the street from Zunzi's, which you must eat at after you leave and every other day.

JW Salon and Spa on google plus

After we checked in with the receptionist, she led us up 2 flights of stairs to the spa portion to fill out some papers before we began.  I love levels.  My husband was cracking up as I gave up the thumbs up behind my back as we kept going up.  The atmosphere was just amazing. So calming, so comforting.  So amazing I couldn't put by phone down to stop snapping pictures.

Robert couldn't understand why I was so fascinated.  Surely, he thought I was taking pictures for the purpose of sharing on social media, so what big boy.  In actuality, I was just documenting what our relaxation room in our future house will look like ;)

After being mesmorized in this little waiting room, our massage therapists led us into yet another beautiful room with a fire place for our massages. Where I even got a little creepy and took pictures of the bathroom.

It was just too beautiful not to.  The vessel sink, the tile, the faucet that came directly out of the wall, even the backsplash in the shower Robert refused to let me capture. 

I must say, our massages were just as amazing as the spa was.  We will definitely be going back for more and I promise to not take as many creepy pictures. 

Sunday I worked another 8 hours to begin my 40 hour work week. But, at least I got in some relaxation on my Saturday off.  I now leave you with the most motivational thing ever.  For the best relaxer there is besides my husband, Si Robertson.  

  

Work hard. Nap hard. Play hard. 

Link up minajaaa.

God made my favorite thing in just 2 days

If there's one simple thing I love in this beautiful life, it's seeing the sun hit a body of water. There's just a feeling of complete joy or fullness when I see this sight. Every drive home from Georgia, when I drive over South Carolina's largest lake, Lake Marion I know I'm half way home.  It's usually as the sun is rising, and on the drive back to Georgia it's when the sun is setting.  I take a picture no matter what.  I can't tell you how many pictures I've posted on Instagram of this lake, it's absolutely breath taking.   This particular landmark is a guarantee every drive on I95 and my heart is happy when I get to it.

 It's always the same bridge, the same water, the same sun...but always a different day. A different picture always results.  And I love everything about that.

Power lines when you drive North

Double bridge when you drive South

Living in the Savannah area the past few years, I've been fortunate to see my favorite site at different locations.  The Savannah River, the Ogeechee River, Tybee Island, and Dutch Island just to name a few of my favorites. 

The Ogeechee River

Dutch Island

One trip to DMV, my sister took me National Harbor and we had dinner on the pier at Mcloone's Pier House.  It was one of the most beautiful dinners I've ever had.

National Harbor 

'Merica. 

Might I add, the Chardonnay and Jameson we're just lovely. Oh, and I had the crab cakes too. 

Another one of my favorites was the sun setting over the Caribbean Sea while Rob and I vacationed at St. Lucia this past Christmas.  I was so sad because it rained a lot at night while we were there and in the morning it was cloudy, so I worried I would never get to see it.  But, one of the last nights we were there the sun showed it's face through the clouds a little. Even though it didn't reflect off the water, it still was enough for me. 

Halcyon Beach,  Sandals St. Lucia 

La Toc, Sandals St. Lucia

But there's a couple things I know for sure about St. Lucia...

The sun is still beautiful, even through the clouds

and the water is still beautiful, even if the sun doesn't reflect off of it

Grande, Sandals St. Lucia 

Grande, Sandals St. Lucia 

Grande, Sandals St. Lucia 

I can't wait to go back someday and I can't wait to see a lifetime of sunrises and sunsets over water.  Thank you, God.