2011 Seasonal Sensations

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PERSONALITY

"That they may be one, even as we are one." John 17:22 Personality is that peculiar, incalculable thing that is meant when we speak of ourselves as distinct from everyone else. Our personality is always too big for us to grasp. An island in the sea may be but the top of a great mountain. Personality is like an island, we know nothing about the great depths underneath, consequently we cannot estimate ourselves. We begin by thinking that we can, but we come to realize that there is only one Being Who understands us, and that is our Creator. Personality is the characteristic of the spiritual man as individuality is the characteristic of the natural man. Our Lord can never be defined in terms of individuality and independence, but only in terms of personality, "I and My Father are one." Personality merges, and you only reach your real identity when you are merged with another person. When love, or the Spirit of God strikes a man, he is transformed, he no longer insists upon his separate individuality. Our Lord never spoke in terms of individuality, of a man’s "elbows" or his isolated position, but in terms of personality - "that they may be one, even as We are one." If you give up your right to yourself to God, the real true nature of your personality answers to God straight away. Jesus Christ emancipates the personality, and the individuality is transfigured; the transfiguring element is love, personal devotion to Jesus. Love is the outpouring of one personality in fellowship with another personality.

Copyright 2011, Medical Ministry International All rights reserved.Visit us online at www.mmint.org.

Kansas Earthshake

I didn't know it could happen...an earthquake felt in Kansas.

Sitting in the doc area at St Joes I felt my chair start to shake. I looked down the hall thinking something very large was running down the hallway. We had already just have 3 EMS crews go by so this time I thought what the heck are they bringing now!

The doc next to me was on the phone. He didn't feel it. Luckily I wasn't crazy and others had felt it. Working in the ER I am learning not to be so gullible and I was proud to not believe the first time they told me it was probably an earthquake. HA!

It was confirmed that a 5.6 magnitude quake was felt in Wichita that originated from Sparks, Oklahoma.

It was my first earth-shake!

True That

homework

Thought this was too cute not to share...hope it is not to small to read.

Happy Birthday.....

MEMPHIS!!

Today my puppy turns 3 years old. By several different internet sites this means that his "human years" are any where from 21 to 28 years of age.

Maybe this means he will grow out of his anxiety. Maybe he will grow out of digging holes in the back yard or tearing up my kitchen when I am away. This owner can only hope.

I do wish him a happy birthday with many more joyful years to come!

Conjunctivitis

So in my very first blog post EVER I mentioned that I did not know the intent of my blog but I would plan to give you important medical advice...so today I thought it would be fun to educate you.

Conjunctivitis (PINK EYE):

Definition= Inflammation of the conjunctiva characterized by vascular dilation, cellular infiltration, and exudation.

Cause=Leading cause is viral caused by the adenovirus others may be bacterial in nature caused by a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Some may be allergic in origin.

Clinical Presentation for viral= conjunctival hyperemia, edema, and a watery discharge. vision is unaffected

Clinical Presentation for bacterial=acute onset one eye then spreads, mucopurulent or purulent discharge develops. Eyelids are often edematous with collection of debris at base of lashes and matting of the eyelashes.

Clinical Presentation for Allergic= itching is the hallmark of this condition. watery eyes and often with rhinitis (nose irritation) or allergic pharyngitits (throat irritation)

Treatment:

For viral and bacterial: Broad spectrum antibiotics administered 4 times daily for 7-10 days.

For allergic: Remove offending allergy and antihistamines.

EDUCATION:

Infection is easily spread.

Frequent hand washing cannot be over emphasized!!

Eye secretions are contagious for 24-48 hours after therapy begins

Medication should be instilled in inner aspect of the lower eye lid.

Questions? SEE YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR.

Example photo of a "fun" recent personal experience:

September steals

So I write this as I sit in a food coma from today's activities. I just have to tell you about all the meals and deals I got today there is just so much to share. Keep in mind if you are r

eading that it is still me here....me who hates to shop!

1. Headed to Yoder for some yummy breakfast at Cariage Crossing. Yum!

2. Shopped around Yoder. Cute. Attention all: They have opened a new

Etcetera shop there last week....what deals. My amazing purchase and larges

t of the day was a solid wood sewing cabinet!! Amazing deal for only $20!! THAT IS RIGHT only $20! Think of all the future crafty things that can be made on this gem!! To add to my delight it slid right in the back of Holly's amazing lil' mini Diva!

Of course this limited our future purchasing options but you couldn't stop us now! Off to Hutchinson we went....

3. The Anchor Inn. Delicious Mexican buffet complete with tamales, enchiladas, guac, and all the fixings.

4. Salvation Army. Picked up a cute fall leaf pattern serving bowl. It will be unveiled at the future pumpkin carving party. I know you can't wait to admire it!

5. Amazing shops up and down main street. I will mention my top two:

Toy Depot This little place just opened and you can find everything like: lincoln logs, marbles, hot wheel, tractors, trains, old school toys I played with at Grand

ma's, board and card games galore, and so much more. My steal was the card game of Authors. Played it at Grandpa and Grandma B's lots. Great memories.

Etcertera Shop

It is like a large scale well organized thrift shop and Ten Thousand Villages all in one. My sweet deals included vases and baby clothes for my future cousin's baby. Cute Cute. Holly was the winner of the best deal at this place! Amazing $10 dress that looks like it was made just for her. You will have to see it to believe it! My non-buyer's regret a $5 light bright...but i couldn't get it to work.

6. Boogies Gotta stop for more calories because CLEARLY we have not consumed enough calories yet today. My hot fudge butter pecan shake was worth every calorie ingested!

7. After a long drive back to town and unloading our haul...it was off to Red Robin to meet up with my Ms. Pioneer friend for good laughs and bottom-less fries.

Ahhhhhhhhh exhausted yet so satisfied! Great start to the Labor Day festivities planed.

PS Thanks for Ho for hauling all my Sept steals and thanks to my Bro for taking care of the dog!

life lessons just today

Today I saved a cicada from the pool. I felt good. Then I looked over a minute later and saw a robin eating it. Circle of life.

Only I would leave the house with a half eaten pizza on the stove and the dog trapped in the kitchen and expect the pizza to be there when I return. Ooops! Lesson learned I am a dumb dog owner.

Conversations with my mentoree today:

A-"Maybe your dog hurt his back cause it is so hot outside the heat pushes his back down or something" Lesson learned: Teach kid more about health science

A- "Even if you come a minute late like you usually do it is ok because I know you will be there like you say you will." Lesson learned: make better effort to be on time. I forgot as a kid I thought minutes were hours.

A-"Under the water you look skinny" Me- "uhm thanks" Lesson learned: I take what I can get!

Kids blossom with positive relationships. I have seen good things in only a months time. Take the time...Be a mentor today!

Update

Felt guilty about not keeping up the blog but not feeling creative and I don't know where to begin, therefore, I will list a few things that have happened in my life to catch you up since my last post (in random order):

1. DOG. Yes it is true I now live with a boy. His name is Memphis and he is the new love of my life. He is 2 years old golden retriever. His first "gottcha day" was April 16 2011. He makes me a better person...well I at least walk more.

2. DR. So I took a non advertised trip to the Dominican Republic in June. Not really talked about because 1) it was short 2) it was only in Punta Cana and at an all inclusive resort. If you know anything about my trips to the Dominican Republic before this was a moral dilemma of a trip for me. I celebrated a very special friend's 30th birthday there. Let me tell you it was a blast of a celebration!

3. Thailand. I was blessed with my second trip to Thailand. What an awesome experience. This trip I flew to Bangkok and went north to Chiang Mai and traveled around seeing much of the country and the people. Swam at the boat houses, ate a ton of good stuff, played with tigers, walked around thousand year old ancient kingdoms, ate yummy food, zip-lined through a jungle, ate fresh fruit smoothies, bartered at the open market, took a Thai cooking class, met great missionaries doing great work, got pampered with Thai massages and fancy pedicures. Did I mention I ate great Thai food? Can't wait to visit for a third time!

4. July Family work days. My wonderful parents and grandparent came down to visit for a few days and let me tell you.....my family shows love with great deeds, food, fun, and laughter. My house is looking better on the inside and outside! It was a great Birkey reunion in Wichita/Leon, Kansas

5. Iowa State Fair. This should be an annual tradition for all! I mean who can resist this year's new creation on a stick: Fried butter! Yuck! It was in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the butter cow. I honored the butter cow but cutting through a long line of people and snapping a picture of The Butter Cow and eating it on my iowa corn... not fried on a stick. I did enjoy fried pickles, fried cheese, a pork tenderloin, The Nadas, the double ferris wheel, Casting Crowns and Santus Real concert in the grand stand, Fatty (the 2nd biggest boar), sheep shearing contest, the farrowing barn and all the other animals. Holly and Anne came up to join the festivities for the week-end! I love sharing my Iowa state fair. Next year anyone?

6. Manson. In a small town in Iowa my amazing grandparents keep a home. Jodi and I got to visit for several days but it is never long enough. Spoiled is all we were there. Great great great food. Sewing projects of old fabrics that hold lots of history for the family. Grandma has been working through all her fabric scraps and we made comforters of all different sizes under the instruction of an expert seamstress! Bike rides, Skip Bo, Black 7's, farmer's market, Country Cutter's hair cuts, shucking home grown corn, eating ripe tomatoes, ham and bean soup, wheel of fortune, chocolate malts, popcorn, and devotions. I was blessed.

7. Oklahoma City. 10 hours. 3 meals. 4 awesome friends (one in spirit) Chik fil A. Cuppies and Joe. DSW. Pops. Holly shopping. Feeling stuffed.

8. Washington D.C. A week long visit to the VS house where my sister resided. Many museums. Arlington National Cemetery. The National Cathedral. The Basilica. sister bonding. chinola juice, la banderia, papusas, rollerderby finals, and a D.C United soccer game.

9. Memphis. Erin's graduate graduation. Birkey/Thiessen bonding (minus Justin and Amy). non-pool Hotel stay, Chik fil A, long ceremonies, meeting a special boy named Drew, airhorns, BB Kings. Beal streat. Lorraine hotel. Martin Luther King Jr. Museum. real BBQ. Liam's 3 year old birthday party on a downtown trolley. birthday hats. cupcakes. love.

10. Thanksgiving. Around state fair time everyone made it home to DSM so mom celebrated with a Thanksgiving meal and made it completed with the famous Birkey pumpkin pie. YUMMY!

11. work

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

‎"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate only multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only LOVE can do that."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

numbers?

So I had a personal conversation tonight with a co-worker: about love, life, marriage, and dating.

He said "it is all a numbers game" and " don't get stuck in your routine of work and what ever you do"

only the RARE and lucky ones date 3-4 people in their lives and end up with their life partner.

see as many people as possible.... don't be a slut about it.

I have now had several conversations now with distant and close friends (girls and boys) that have mentioned similar theories.


opinions?

is it really a numbers game folks?

creativity

I wish I was this creative.

Happy Birthday Me!

This is the first of many 29's to come!

What does it mean to be in my last year of 20s and how am I going to "live it up"?

Suggestions?


Here is a start...

Hurting

Today I have many friends that are hurting, mourning, and remembering. Today is one year since Regan Wheeler passed away. Regan is the daughter of a good co-worker, past classmate, and friend of mine. Can you imagine losing a 13 year old full of life from a tragic accident? This family is dealing with more than I can imagine. Konnie has handled it with strength every second of the day even if she doesn't believe so...as she has told me...some days are good and some are bad. Please pray for her family and friends still dealing with this tragic accident and mourning a big loss in their lives.

Prayers also for my sister-in-law's mother who is dealing with serious health issues related to pancreatic cancer.

Romans 15:13 -May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Over-due

Ever wait so long to do something that it seems over whelming to do?

new blog post.

preparing for the tropics

Today I took a big step in preparing for my trip to the Dominican Republic...on the outside.

Tanning.

Only I would walk in to a tanning salon with a coupon of a week of free tanning and walk out with a crazy contraction, face lotion, and lip gloss. Seriously LIP GLOSS!?? What was I thinking?! You can only imagine the rest of the expensive when I tell you the lip gloss was $6..yikes. I just walked off thinking...I just wanted a base tan. Good grief!

Bones Resolutions

Speaking of resolutions I found this fun little slide show of resolutions with my favorite TV show right now.....BONES!

Slideshow11 ‘Bones’-Themed New Year’s Resolutions for 2011

a new year

So to start off the New Year I resolute to not have any resolutions...

aka I have personal issues I don't want to deal with! Ha

So this morning I went to Panera for a breakfast date that ended up being with myself. I should really do that more often: date myself. So there I am eating my pecan roll and coffee...(coffee with more cream and sugar than coffee. The calories were probably just as much as the hot chocolate that I avoided because Panera has decided to list the calories next to the items...thanks Panera, THANKS!)

So anyways there I am catching up on emails and texting a good friend and I think to myself what a perfect time to update my blog. (A much needed update since my fans have been begging! You know who you are! Make a comment now. I dare you.)

Now what to blog about? I have had Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's since the last update. Count it... 3 major holidays and lots of stuff in between. So as my creative juices start to flow I pick up on a table conversation next to me," I am not worried about my swimming times....The beaver creek run was my best bike....I have been running a lot these last weeks...here are my times (enter impressive numbers I am sure)" As I sit there the pecan roll gets heavier and heavier on the way to my mouth. Dang these boys. Ruining a perfectly good date with myself. Off to the comforts of my warm house and comfy couch. Happy New Year to me!