“If it aint broke, don’t fix it. If it is broke, spend another 6-8 months fixing it.”

Not very positive, is it? It’s definitely not what I was dreaming up for this summer vacation. You’re probably as tired as I am of hearing about the whole knee surgery thing… but I think we can agree it’s a not-so-fun way of experiencing a sophomore summer. But it hasn’t been all bad. And considering I posted about optimism a little while back, it would be pretty hypocritical to ignore the silver lining.

….physical therapy. This time around the ideology behind this rehabilitation process was “we’re gonna do this right, 100%, no messing around”. I gotta admit, I left my first session of PT thinking, “This is not gonna go well. This guy is intense, this place is intense… I’m a goner.”  That first day, when asked what I was fighting for, I said I wanted to run a 5k. I wouldn’t be too surprised if that’s why Drew took over my rehabilitation from there… I wouldn’t want to be responsible for an overly ambitious patient like me either! (just kidding guys.. I hope). Once Drew took the reigns, I knew I would hate to love PT – and loooove to hate it. So, I like to think that I’ve got the best of three worlds…1) Steve’s fatherly wisdom, tried-and-true rehab protocol, and exceptional credentials (of course)….  2) Drew’s “no muscle left behind” rehab style, bubbly and fun demeanor, and only 6 years my senior 3) The ability for me — Humpty Dumpty always falling off the wall — to actually enjoy and savor a 3 hour workout. These guys are top-notch – not just when it comes to putting Humpty Dumpty back together again, but keeping in mind that while all the pieces can fit, sometimes the brain and the heart aren’t quite caught up with the body. I think Drew sees that this whole experience has hit me pretty hard the second time around…  and I think he added in some humor to my rehab protocol. Is PT supposed to be this enjoyable?!

Although this summer was meant to be all about Orientation, spending quality time with my co-workers, and enjoying the beautiful Oswego summer weather, I can honestly say I’m content with how things turned out. I like to think I’ve gained a great friend in Drew and the rest of the good people down at ENPT (shameless plug)… and I’m starting to believe that this time, it’s for real. My quality of life will only improve from here on out.

So, is it too cliche to say that everything happens for a reason? Yeah? It is? Oh well.

Everything happens for a reason.

Its almost that time right? That was more of a rhetorical question because I already knew! If you felt like this was a quick summer and its over too soon (which it isn’t) you can blame me, I was wishing the days right along with all my might.

Its been a hectic July and beginning of August. Working, preparing to move up, trying to figure out what to buy here and leave for when I get up. I’ll be up for good in about 10 days, which is wild to me. I’ve now been to Oswego 3 times in one summer smmmh. Next time I’m up for good.

This year is going to be crazy, it has the potential to Go There! I spoke to a couple of my friends (“The Team”) and we were discussing our various agendas and goals for this up and coming semester. All I can say is its going to be Bandoodles. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hype.

I recently had a conversation with someone and when I asked them why they weren’t excited about going back to school they said its the same thing what am I suppose to be happy about the “tree’s and campus”…”Yay” for a moment I got upset and by that statement. I was like mannnn you don’t understand right now. You’re obviously not seeing it clearly. I guess they felt that I was excited just to be at school because it was new and I keep mentioning on different occasions and places (like here) on how nice our campus looks. I mean all that’s cookies and cream but the real reason I’m happy to be at school is because I get that sky is the limit feeling. I guess there are some “tree’s” that do that but they don’t sway in Oswego. I ALWAYS get this feeling every school year. My New Years always starts with the new school year. It just always made more sense that way. Really to me I never get that “ahhh this is a fresh start” feeling on January 1^st; but the first day of a new semester?! Watch Out! That’s really when its time to unveil the big plans.

Not everyone is a new student like myself but in some capacity there is something left to be accomplished this semester otherwise you wouldn’t be returning. I don’t know what it is maybe its shooting for that GPA that’s been eluding you or being anxious to make a difference in your club, that new E-board this position, what ever the personal goal it maybe.

The point I’m trying to make is you don’t have to wait for New Years to turn that new leaf and it doesn’t have to be about tree’s to be excited to be back at school. If all else fails come back to Blogger #23, He’s gone entertain you with his Year!

I have determined that golf makes me feel really happy or really depressed. Sometimes I will have the most beautiful shot and it will make my day and sometimes I lose six balls into the woods….

Its amazing how such a little ball can cause so much angst.

Next week is my last week at Target and graduation. I am really excited but really nervous too. The district guy that I have to impress is really hard to read. He is super confusing as well.

I am excited to go back to Oswego though, I can’t wait! It as always is going to be a lot of work but the time of my life. I am really starting to appreciate college, it is so much better than working 40/50 hours a week 🙂

Alas, back to school shopping

Be Ozzy!

My summer is flying by faster than I could have ever imagined…

I am in full swing into my internship and its awesome! I am so excited and it could totally lead to a real job! I could find out if I could get a job by the end of the August as a logistics executive.

The logistics process is super complicated but it makes sense to me and I am pumped but I can’t wait to go back to Oswego. Working forty hours a week is hard and I can’t wait to relax at school. I thought school was hard until I started working for Target.

I can’t wait to come back 🙂

Be Ozzy

This past week I found myself on my way to Oswego once again, this time it was for my New Student/Transfer Orientation. Armed with my trusty BlackBerry and too much time on hand, I journalized the 24/7 trip.

7/21/10

9:30 p.m. : Gets off Phone with Tumbo.Procrastination is the Root of Evil I Tell You! Two shirts ironed one for the bus, a second to have a fresh shirt to run around campus in tomorrow. Despite having taken day off I am still not fully prepared to leave the house. I have to catch the bus @ 12:45 …I live @ least an hour and half from bus stop. (See 2nd line,Shame on self)

7/22/10

12:00 a.m : Walks aimlessly around Times Sq back streets hoping to find food other than Mc Donalds. There is literally one per block is this a sign God? . A.A.S Business Degree kicks in no… that’s just Good Business.

12:25 a.m : All I have managed to do is withdraw money from the ATM and BBM about wanting to eat food that can’t possibly be available this time of night even in Tm Sq.

12:35 a.m : Panick . OMG I still haven’t eaten the only bus that I can catch for orientation leaves in 10 mins. I’m 3rd in line though…hmm .Bails from Mc Donalds nonetheless(yea that place >_<)

2:45 a.m : I have finally finished verbally abusing self and asking why God after not buying food only for the bus to be 15 mins late . I now eat Chips and Soda from the Gas Station -_-!

4:45 a.m : ARe We There Yet?! This has been the most uncomfortable ride of my young but seasoned Coach bus life. Can’t find a comfortable spot and the guy across has been wearing Shades since he got on and is sleeping with his legs up agaisnt the glass  . This begins to worry me slowly.

6:30 a.m : Boards Centro bus seriously? $5 from ‘Cuse to Oswego?! Its 4.50 to go from Brooklyn to Queens roundtrip…Matter Fact from one part of Queens to another is still $4.50 rndtrip. Begins Surveying possible new houses as bus pulls off.

7:50 a.m : Hops off bus . Proceeds to take care of errands before the immentient New Student Crush on lines. Hmmm. For having only been on campus once I sure know my way around , Found the Copy Machine, Made change @ Store .(P.s. The lady called me Love Bug *blushes*)

8:00 a.m : Falls in love with copy machine. You wanna make a 2 sided copy …no problem. Wanna do book format. A breeze. Maybe I shoulda been a copy machine Engineer?!

9:00 a.m : Let the Party begin wooohoo. Big Lecute Hall. Name Tags . Stops and is given a drawstring Oswego bag with college info . Is told by Laker Leader I am a “Valued Customer”. Hmph! Never thought about being a customer of Oswego. Student/Customer… they are all the same #nodifference

9:15 a.m : “Oswego was rated Top 3 sunsets in the world” Promises to fact check later.

11:00 a.m : I could careless about this UPD lecture . The Gps cellphone tracking option sounds really safe but I’m also supicious of it capabilities.

12:00 p.m : Lunnnnnchh . I’ve been waiting for this since 8 am. Word up.

12:15 p.m : Bleh well that was underwhelming . They def took us to the lower quality cafe hall . Guess they figured its to late to turn back because of bad food now . They are right o_o.

12:30 p.m : Walks to apt, goes to Landlords apt signs lease , chews the fat. Heads back.

12:35 p.m : Observes I am only 5 mins from Pizza hut. Hmmm . $10 medium size pizza , Tuesdays Tuscan Pasta Specials , Wings Weds for 50 cents. Overall buttery soft crust and doughy pizza. You think I’m gonna be a “valued” customer here? I think so too

1:25 p.m – Waits outside room to do schedule. Since this is the only reason I cared to come up to orientation and I’ve made a list of the classes I want to take and need to take I guess you can call me Ready!

1:45 p.m : Advisor comes outside to help gentley soothe what will in minutes become enraged souls.

1:45 & 10 seconds p.m : Livid & other stuff (my fav being”foaming”)There are not many classes available. Stresses that we will get what we need not what we want. Many classes are full and closed. Seniors picked already(duh) Juniors did too(understandble)Sophs went as well(makes sense) but “we also have registered all but 200 of our freshman ” ( -_- What…..so let me get this straight you filled a class with freshman over a junior transfer..The logic in that perhaps is in the bottom of the Lake).

2:00 p.m : Races to add classes. C. C.C.C.C.Upper Division Standing Req. C. -clicks refresh- C.C.C .Ahh here’s a class! Upper division standing req. Someone tell me what’s up!

2:30 p.m : 1 class added

2:45 p.m : I now have 2 classes need 3 more . Faith is Zero. Advisor tells people thanks for smiling. I wasn’t one of them.-big shrug-

3:10 p.m : 4 classes . The 5th one I will stalk from home like a lion does a zebra.

3:30 p.m : Still Livid but outside doesn’t match my mood. Constant breeze. Perfect weather. Sunny. The Lake is there. Campus is Beautiful.

3:45 p.m : Becomes a genius. While waiting for Centro to Syracuse calls friend for Won Ton’s #. -makes call for delivery to ” Campus Center Circle thingy ,roundabout by bus stop bench”Chea!

4:15 p.m : Wonton Guy delivers , Bus pulls up . Sweet.

6:00 p.m : Layovers are the worst . Fantasizes about flying private instead of busing.(This must be due to being high off of Oswego Optimism and sleeping a total of 2 hrs from bus ride up)

7:55 p.m : Bus is late, suppose to be here.

8:25 p.m : Bus is here but we are still standing on long line waiting. Kill Me plz.

8:40 p.m : Steps on Bus random 1 seats available bus is packed. Smells like a Gym and Subways sweet onion is waffering too. Shoulda used my kill me request here.

9:00 p.m : Aisle seat. Cramped. Passenger next to me insist on looking around and being paranoid. Over hear convo from guy behind me about not goin back to prison he’s a better criminal now…..Maybe that’s why the guy next to me was so fidgety o_0.

9:30 p.m : After a quick check, about 12 people “just got out” White Tees, Dickies ..some Gold hats yep.

10:30 p.m : Stories about missing grandma , missing sons and daughters, trifling gf’s and 8 min time limits to do everything from brushing teeth, showering making bed and eating meals are told to a very inquistive passenger who got on at Binghamton are shared. I’m very into their stories, plan to eavesdrop all the way home now.

12:30 p.m : Better Criminal says” Man I just can’t wait to get home already” Word me too #samedifference -shrugs-

1:11 a.m : Port Authority “its over ” waits to see how newly freed men react. Priceless. Mentally wish them luck .

2:30 a.m : After gettin on train going wrong way (don’t judge its been a long trip) I finally make it to my stop. Mom is here to pick me up. That’s love.

3:00 a.m :I’m finished and so is my trip . Thank Jesus’

Totals: 2 dead blackberry batts, 1 purchase from Won Ton’s, 1 bad meal @ undisclosed hall, 1 class added from original list, Two Shirts , One use of Wisp cologate toothbrush, a bunch of hand santizer used due to sisters demands, One exhausted blogger student)

… it’s been quite a while since those days, huh?

One of my friends on FaceBook sent me an invitation to an event where everyone changes their profile picture to a picture of themselves at a younger age… “throwback photos”, he had called it. What the heck, I’ll do it. I’ve already uploaded some pretty entertaining (and some painfully awkward) throwbacks of my own. So I selected a gem of a school picture: kindergarten. From my loud daisy printed blouse to my mom’s perfect side-swept pinning of my hair with a HUGE yellow bow, I sure liked to smile regardless of what Mama Rara put me in.

After changing my picture, I started checking out other people’s throwback pictures. I was dumbfounded. It’s so incredibly easy to tell who changed physically, who stayed exactly the same, and who looks absolutely nothing like their cute 90’s counterpart. The scariest part is the latter, and not the former. I’m so glad that I at least somewhat resemble my 6 year old self. I know so many people who over the years have decided that they need to pile on the make-up, or dye their hair until it resembles a doormat, or take so many workout enhancers that their arms look like they could deflate at the mere sight of a pushpin. I’ll be the very first to admit, I have always been a bigger girl than most. But back then, I was also athletic and active, and hey, I had cute little dimples so if all else failed, I had that going for me too.

Sure, I’ve had my fair share of… interesting style choices, and gone through my weight struggles. Surgery and complications stemming from the first ACL injury have sidelined me for about 4 years, so the whole exercise thing was very limited, and that 5k I promised myself I would run during my senior year of high school? Veryyyy risky, and veryyyyy not completed (Don’t worry, it’s on my to-do list this time around). Now, 14 years later, I am SO glad that I’m still the same me. I haven’t made any drastic changes to my appearance that would lead my kindergarten classmates to not recognize me, and, come on…. how many 20 year old women are there floating out there who have never dyed their hair? I’ll tell ya: not many. I’ve got one piercing in each ear, and no tattoos. Another rarity. Natural beauty and the contentment with how one looks from birth (or at least close to it) is SO rare these days. How sad is that?!

Viva La Naturale! Kindergarten Danielly would be proud. Either that, or she wouldn’t understand what that means.