Early Retirement or Summer Vacation

What have I been up to since July 1st?...The official closing day of the Salt Lake Farmers Med PIP Office. I, for one, was looking forward to this day to start my early retirement or summer vacation. Prior to the office closing, and prior to the workload diminishing, I would often think of a million things that I would rather be doing than sitting at cubicle and staring at a computer. I got to the point where I kept a running list so that when the day came that I could do whatever I wanted all day, I could quickly remind myself of "what I'd rather be doing." (It's easy to think of other things to do while you're at work, but harder to remember those things when you have a full and empty day ahead of you.)

1. Go visit Heather in Ohio and see new baby

2. Work-out a ton

3. Win Crossfit Challenge

4. Take scripture class with mom

5. Take infectious disease class from Gene Cole

6. Attend temple weekly, with mom if possible

7. Volunteer- find service

8. Finish painting

9. Finish quilt

10. Take up hobby- tennis, dance, school, guitar, language, cooking...

11. Take class at SLCC

12. Take CNA course

13. Play tennis with Hilary

14. Take quilting class

15. Hike with Rebecca

16. Get tan

17. Swim w/ sisters, nieces and nephews

18. Go to work with dad

19. Apply for jobs

20. Figure out what I want to be when I grow up

21. Read Book of Mormon in 3 months

22. Then read Book of Mormon in 2 months

23. Finally ready Book of Mormon in 1 month

24. Get rid of clothes I never wear

25. Organize! Organize! Organize!

26. Be available...

27. Read a book a week

28. Organize pictures

29. Organize office

30. Blog

31. Write letters

32. Catch up on seasons of Desprate Housewives

33. Be happy

34. Be calm and not stressed

35. Sleep-in if I want!

36. Get up early when I want

37. Go to bed when I am tired instead of when "it's time" (typically 10:00 pm so that if I get up at 6:00 am I get a full 8 hours of sleep...I like to calculate how many hours of sleep I will get, just before going to bed, and it frustrates me if I know I can't get all the sleep I want.)

38. Don't be frustrated

39. Get enough sleep

40. Hang out with Matt

These are just a few things I came up with. To be honest, some days have been busy and when I tell Matt how busy I am/was, he just laughs because, really, what do I have to do?! And some days have been pretty chill. What has been a dream come true for me is that I get to see my husband. Matt works nights and so when I was also employed, I would not see him for 3-4 days at a time. Now I get to spend days with him and it feels like we are on vacation...staying in a beautiful townhome located in SoJo. :)

The most difficult part of employment was that it interfered with my social calendar. Not only did it prohibit me from seeing my husband but it was also a challenge to get together with my sisters and attend the play dates. And when I could go, it would be on my lunch break and I had to break the speed limit to get to the designated location, watch the clock the whole time (which ended up being about 20 minutes once we factor in driving time so I couldn't really enjoy the socializing), and then speed back to work. Now I can hang out as much or as little as I want. My schedule is MINE!

Many items on the list have been completed and some are in-process and others are still being planned. But to be honest, I like myself better as an unemployed wife rather than a dutifully- employed, stressed, angry, money-making wife. I think Matt likes me better too!

Last day at the office, the Farmers group.

After work ended, I was able to go and play at my mom's home with Whitney, Rebecca, and kids.

During the summer, Mondays were always "Mondays with Grandma." All the grandkids and parents were invited over in the afternoon to play at Grandma B's home, or go out for a fun adventure. On this Monday, we checked out the parade floats prior to the big 24th parade. And even my Grandpa B joined us!

A separate Ohio post is required to give the trip justice, but will have to come another day. Here is a teaser picture...the whole group outside the Chrisman's church building the day Jonathan was blessed.Two months after work has ended, and reflecting on all that has taken place in that two months, I think that losing my job has turned out to be a blessing for me. I didn't realize what a difficult person I had become because of my inability to leave work at work and enjoy home when I got home. Now that my days really belong to me, I fill them simple things that bring me joy. Where I hated cooking before, I am now looking up new recipes to try and traveling to Matt's work in the middle of the night to share with him the savory meal I made. Previously, if I read the Book of Mormon before bed, it was a verse or two while dozing off after a sentence or two. Now I am able to set aside time to really read and study. I haven't volunteered or joined a service group but I've tried to find ways to give of myself and my time to help others- (since I now have 8 mores hours in my day!) I love people and love spending time with people. I have been able to strengthen friendships, start new ones, and build closer bonds with loved ones. All in all, I am more happy, more calm, more peaceful! -R-

Is Red Bull a Bunch of Bull?

So lately I've been interested to know what Red Bull is made of. Especially since I've been drinking a ton of it. First of all I think it tastes sort of gross, but it does seem to give me that "kick in the pants" punch I need when I'm feeling rather lethargic.

So aside from the taste lets mention some positive aspects of the "Bull".

1) Caffeine - "Friend or Foe?" Well, that depends on how you look at it. If you compare several other energy drinks side-by-side you'll notice that the caffeine content in Red Bull is about 10% less than your average pick me up. And having personally tried several of these other energy drinks, why is it that Red Bull gives me a bigger boost than the other ones especially if it is less caffeinated?

Caffeine is known as a Xanthine derivative (not that this is relevant or anything). It is sometimes use in Newborns who have difficult breathing. It increases the respiratory rate and dilates the bronchioles allowing air to move in and out more easily. Although, I don't believe it's used all to often in the medical setting today.

Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, so get ready to use the bathroom multiple times. This can decrease the intravascular volume of your body leading to a compensatory increase in heart-rate in order to maintain proper cardiac output.....blah.....blah.....blah. So in other words, you need to drink plenty of water with your caffeine intake to avoid dehydration.

2) Niacin - "What the freak is this?" It's one the B Vitamins, namely Vitamin B3, that provide our body with the necessary components to produce ATP (energy). I can't quite remember, but I believe they act as co-transport mechanisms in the Kreb's cycle. Working in health care I've seen patients take Niacin tablets in high doses and got curious as to why they needed it. Niacin actually lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body to help prevent further decompensation of the cardiovascular system. You know that new drug commercial on TV now called "Niaspan". Yeah, that's just niacin in an extended release form so just pick some up at GNC instead.

3) Inositol - "Ino-What?" Exactly! It's some kind of vitamin/nutrient/sugar substance found in our daily diet. It also helps to lower cholesterol and lipids in the body. However, it is more known for it's mental health benefits. Studies have shown that clients suffering from OCD, depression, and ADHD improved in their mood and ability to focus. This would probably fall into the category of complementary therapies instead of alternative therapies.

4) Vitamin B6-"Another B?" in the nutrition facts this is what Red Bull is mostly comprised of. An actual definition from drugs.com is "...functions as a coenzyme in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism." COENZYME!! That's what it's called! Not co-transport mechanism; Duh! All of these B vitamins play a different role in the metabolism of our food in order to provide our body with energy.

5) Other interesting stuff - One of my teachers this past semester suggested on taking a B-Complex vitamin. Not only does it have a ton of B vitamins, but it also contains other stuff like Vit. C, Iron, Folate, etc... She also mentioned that by taking a B complex vitamin daily, your chances of catching a cold would be less.

During stressful times in your life (such as school) your body can go into flight or fight response mode. This comes from your sympathetic nervous system response to stress. O.K. bare with me for a sec, I'm trying squeeze all of this out of my long-memory box. Alright....back on track here....so....stress = flight or fight = release of catecholamines (epinephrine/norepinephrine) from your adrenal glands. Something else is also released from your adrenal glands during times of stress and that is Cortisol. Cortisol (glucocorticoid) does several good things, but also has a few bad ones when secreted in excess. It lowers your immune system defenses and raises blood-sugar levels. This is way your more likely to get sick (e.g. like during finals week!). Cortisol is also a fat-storing hormone that mostly causes fat to accumulate around the mid-section. Think of someone you know who might be high-strung all the time. They might be heavy in the middle will skinny extremities. This actually can be a disease (not caused by stressing out too much) called hypercorticolism or Cushing's Syndrome.

The B Vitamins actually help suppress the release of Cortisol thereby keeping your immune system defenses up and alert.

So, there's liquid B vitamins with the caffeine or simply just take a B Complex tablet. Either way you'll stay healthy with lots more energy!

17...going on 30

My postings have been so infrequent, and my life seems so simple that it has gotten to the point where I feel like something momentous has to occur in order for me to feel it's worth the post. Well...after many months, I feel I have reached such occasion. Today is my 30th birthday!! (I actually feel like I am lying when I say my age...)

In my mind, I am 17 goin on 30. Not much has changed except each year the number gets bigger. People in their 30's have so much responsibility, and they are like...old. (I apologize for all those 30+, I'm in your category now, so I am speaking of myself as well.) Here I am...30.

At the close of one decade and the start of another, it makes me think of many of my birthdays past. All of my teenage birthdays were spent at Girls Camp. My parents would always come up to camp and visit the evening of my birthdays and bring ice-cream bars for everyone. I celebrated my 18th birthday in France while on the Utah Ambassadors of Music Tour through Europe. On my 22nd birthday, I was secretly preparing my mission papers. My 23rd birthday was spent in Bratislava with the missionaries in my area and Erika and Petra Jurcakova.

I don't remember anything specific from the few birthdays after my mission, until I met Matt...and we celebrated my 27th birthday after we'd only been married 2 months. On that birthday, Matt surprised me with a formal dinner at Chef's Table in Orem.

The next morning, as I was getting ready for work, I had a melt-down...the first of many to come as a newly wed. Matt kept asking me what was wrong and my only response between sobs was, "Nothing...I'm fine." After about a half hour of crying, I finally gathered enough composure to tell my new husband what was bothering me. It came out something like this. "It was my birthday yesterday..." (sob) "...and I know you took me to a nice restaurant..." (sob) "...but..." (long pause followed by hysterical sob) "...you didn't get me a birthday gift..." (sob) "...I didn't realize it would bother me..." (whimpering) "...but it does. I guess is just assumed that gifts come with a birthday and you give a gift when its someone's birthday...and..." (whimper and sob) "...it just makes me sad."

Here stands my new husband, dumbfounded by his wife's hysterics, and calmly and sweetly responds. "Rebekah, I've never been married before. I didn't know this is what you expected. I'm sorry. I want to make it up to you." Well, I composed myself after an hour and a half of crying and went to work.

That evening, I was greeted by my smiling husband standing next to awrapped gift he purchased for me. After that morning's melt-down, Matt spent hours at the mall. He walked through every store, considering everything...trying to find the perfect gift. He finally found what he was looking for. (Even then, I'm sure he was nervous to give me anything, wondering if I'd have another meltdown about the type of gift I should receive on my birthday.) I opened the bag and found a new pair of Keens along with a bottle of A&F perfume.

I had never heard of Keens before and had no idea why these shoes are special. Matt informed me that they are hiking, walking, swimming, outdoor, everything shoes. They are durable, hard-soled sandals that cover your toes so you don't sub them while running/hiking/swimming.

Matt is very thoughtful about his gifts. He compares, considers, researches and then decides. I realized this after my first married birthday, when he told me why these shoes are so great. Matt loves giving gifts. My simple, yet emotional reuqest for a birthday gift was met generously by a husband who only wants his wife to be happy. He goes above and beyond...

So, here I am, at the end of my first day being 30...and ready for the next decade birthdays! -R-

So I must tell of the experience I had this past summer. Some might not think of it as a big deal, but I think anytime we can recognize the hand of God in our lives increases our faith.

I was searching for a job in the healthcare field over the summer. I thought it would help me to apply my knowledge from nursing school. I would have continued to work at UPS & the hospital until starting my second semester this Fall, then I would have quit UPS and stayed working at the hospital with better pay (but not as good health benefits). While on vacation I received a phone call from the hospital to come in for an interview. I was REALLY excited about the opportunity of possibly getting the job and having a better income. I anxiously returned the phone call and accepted the offer to be interviewed; The only problem was that I was away on vacation and would not be home for another week. The HR representative told me that they would go ahead and choose from the candadites they had already interviewed and didn't even give me a chance (not even an interview over the phone).

Needless to say I was dumbfounded, angry, and confused all together. It was hard enough as it was to get a job, any kind of job, where I come from. Even one at the hospital. I did finally get a second job, but I kept thinking about how awesome it would have been to be able to work in a job related to my academic goals. My plan was to get the job at the hospital and finally quit UPS after 3yrs, but that didn't happen.

After school started in August we found out about Rebekah's thyroid. The more tests that were done to verify a diagnosis the more costly it got. After being presented with all options, surgery was the way to go.

To more fully understand my gratitude and where I'm going with this story is the fact that I was planning to quite a job I already had that provided my wife and I with FULL health benifets in order to work a job at the hospital with less benefits equaling less health converage. Heavenly father new (as he always does) that this surgery would take place, and in all my anger and frustration with the way MY plan was going, I had know idea that Rebekah's surgery would be the reason for me to stay at the job I had. Heavenly father is always watching out for us. It was in his plan for me NOT to switch jobs at that time and now I know why.

Experiences like this one make me realize that not one of us in this life can make it through mortality without the help of the Lord. The Gospel is everything, we just have to be willing to follow it.