I have spent the last two and a half months working in a new, yet temporary position at the hospital as we have done a complete overhaul of our documentation system. It has been exciting, I have met many wonderful people, and I have been living and working the day life. As I rapidly approach a return to my vampire existence of night shift nursing, I find myself fixating on the negatives. I have a hunch, this negativity is leading to stress which is leading to overeating (the last week of my month of non-processed dining took a nose dive the last week), writers block, and just a general feeling of blah. Instead of letting my mind wander and ponder the curiosities of life, I am embracing these feelings of dread and it is really cramping my creative style. I think I need some CBT to escape from these maladaptive, and might I add, buzz-killing thought processes. I am about to move into my first home and I will need my artistic juices flowing in order to jazz up the place on a shoestring budget.
And now, a litany of the joys of my life:
My mom - A woman who understands me on a level that that borders creepy
My dad - A man who has always been willing to risk his left hand to save my right. He is my source for all things rational and, courtesy of the 30 years he has spent with my mother, he is (almost) infinitely capable of calmly dealing with my crazy
My brother - No other man could show so much love amid such disinterest in the dramatic happenings of my life.
My sisters - Beautiful women who have grown into such different personalities. There is no end to the fun we can have together, and when conflicts arise, we are blessed to have feelings with a 2 second rebound rate and we are best friends again.
My big bro and sis in-law - I could not have found better partners for my siblings if I had hand picked them myself. I am very lucky they all found spouses who jive with our quirky family so well.
My Valerina - My other sister. My best friend. The woman who inspires my style and holds nothing back.
Jackson Browne - My hopelessly devoted canine companion. The man in my life. He has the bar high for any and all men who seek my affections. I mean no condescension when I say, I will consider no man who does not treat me as well or better than my dog. 
My Work Family - When life in the cancer world, or just life in general gets tough, my work family reminds me why I chose this profession. They build me up, and in times of great despair, they carry me.
Josh Groban - One day he will realize that I am the woman for him.
Photo Christmas Cards - My new favorite part of the holiday season!
Friendship Bracelets - I pray I'm never too old to act like I'm 5
Fountain Pop - it may not be a cure-all, but it always makes me happy.
Running - Me, music, and the road. It's being part of an entire culture. It frees my mind. It cleanses my body and soul. Every day I get a little farther.
Traveling - The cure all for a semi-rooted woman with insatiable wander lust
Harry Potter - Reminded me why books are such a beautiful thing.
