The Aquarium Pictures

This is the view of Baltimore on Friday evening from the walkway in the Baltimore Aquarium. Pretty, isn't it?

I can't for the life of me remember the name of this frog. But it was darned cute.

Blimey, it's a croc!

A Puffin. Guess they've got to keep something around to eat the fish.

The very pretty poison dart frog. Made more mysterious by steam entering the tank where they were sitting.

Hello Dolphin. Easily my favorite part of the evening. I waited 30 minutes to see a 10 minutes show. Then I discovered if you hang around Friday evening after the last show, you can watch the trainers actually put the dolphins to bed. This involves some easy training, feeding, and playing with them. I've never watched dolphins before in real life-- seen them in the distance in the ocean sometimes but never in real life-- and it was wonderful. I'm eating dolphin safe tuna from now on.

Watch out little girl, that fish is going to EAT YOU!

Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads, fish heads fish heads, eat them up-- yum. Truely, I was hungry and there were a few fish I saw that I simply planned recipes around. Hmmmm, sea bass-- that goes well with a nice Chardonny and some rice.

Pictures of my Apartment

Yeah, I brought all of 2 boxes worth of kitchen supplies (Think computer paper boxes). I'm using about 1/3 of the shelf space and that includes the three areas I'm hiding my recyle stuff.

Original brickwork. If you look close, you can see the latch on the left, and the two rings on the right where it used to have a different door. It's my unheated walk-in closet now. I've learned to set out my clothes before getting in the shower so they are not frigid.



See, TALL windows. I can stand on the ledge (if I want to).



The "living room" or as I like to call it, the "dark foyer".

Something's Fishy

Forgot to mention this tidbit in the last post.

While at the aquarium I ran into a group of about 20 blind people touring the aquarium with headsets on. It gave me pause. I understand that they were listening to information via headsets, but couldn't you do that, say, on the couch with a beer in hand? I've been pondering this for days!

Slowing Down to Smell the Fishies

In response to requests, I will try my darndest to get some pictures up. The problem lies in the nature of my wireless connection-- these Baltimore guys/girls must be really computer swaavy because as soon as I link to a connection, it blinks out. That doesn't give me much time to down load pictures! But I shall try, even if it means treking the block to Starbucks and trying there!

The week in review:

Sunday: Hung with Brother, Sister in law and adorable but very 2 year old nephew in D.C. Went grocery shopping. Missed Church. Opps. Did wash.

Monday: Went for a 2 hour walk after stressful day. Culture shock hit when I couldn't find a single person to make change for a $20 at work so I could pay my parking. Was denied by the cafeteria lady. Then the gift shop lady said I'd have to buy something (I bought a mint .10$) then refused to give me 2 $5's instead of a $10 even when I explained my bank was in Georgia. She was very rude about the refusal too. Anyway, walked the harbor from Federal hill to Barnes and Nobles, bought 2 books, then ran into some girls from work and at mexican with them.

Tuesday: Went back to Barnes and Nobles and bought 2 more books after realizing the books I bought Monday were not catching me interest and would have to be rotated with other more interesting books. Total books: A user's guide to the Brain, The Wind's Twelve Quarters, Dragonsinger (old favorite that was lost when my Honda drowned), and Inside Freight Train (for my nephew).

Wednesday: Nightmare headache. Was supposed to go make cards for hospital kids for Valentine's day but couldn't shake the light sensative headache. It took an aspirin, 2 motrin, and a 30 minute hot shower to even begin to be able to function. Went to bed at 8pm and slept soundly hoping I wasn't having a stroke!

Thursday: Goofed off. Went to an Irish pub 2 blocks from my house and met 2 crazy nurses from the VA hospital that were drinking their troubles away. Joined them and talked about Ireland (they had been) and good beer. Took home a Shepard's pie for dinner.

Friday: Went to Aquarium. Pretty cool! The Dolphins were my favorite. The show was only 10 minutes long but I stuck around and got to see their night routine with about 20 other people who were probably too tired to move from their seats.

Saturday: Woke up. Planning to hit the grocery store, investigate churches, and then go to a broadway musical a block from my house. Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. I saw it when I was a kid, but I had to peer around 2 very tall people that time and was WAAAAYYY in the back. So this time I have row 8, center, orchestra. :-) Hopefully I got paid yesterday-- must check into that. CeeCee may call me to go watch a movie this weekend, and big brother has tentative plans to meet me at Dim Sum (which would involve 2 hour round trip on my part, but may be worth it).

I'm actually holding a job during all this-- 40 hours. Is this what it's like to have a life after work? It's strange, I feel like I'm on vacation or something. No men met yet here in Baltimore-- only men in my life are the brain injured guys at work.

Balmy Baltimore

I arrived Friday, unloaded my car under the careful watch of the old local homeless guy, and inspected my new surroundings. 20 foot ceilings, corner room with brick interior on all outside walls, a window overlooking a parking lot (which has provided a bit of drama so far). Laundry room is next door. Elevator occasionally misses my floor and takes me one up or down to the basements at its whim. Starbucks is a block in one direction (the semi-safe direction) and McDonalds is a block in another direction (the semi-dangerous direction).

My apartment is truely cool. It's broken into 2 living spaces. The front space is comprised of the kitchen and a smallish foyer which has become my reading nook (if only the company would get me that 3rd lamp they promised!) It's a renovated factory from the early 1900's with original brickwork still in place on outside walls and around my walkin closet. In fact, the original hardware from the doors are still present-- it took me a few minutes to figure out why there were 2 metal rings on the wall beside my closet (original hinges) and a stange looking hook on the other side (original latch).

Work is interesting. I took on my full caseload Friday after 1 day of orientation, 2 days of half-caseloads, and 2 nights of studying all the levels of paperwork that need to be completed. According to rumors, it used to be a nursing home and is being transitioned into a step-down unit for the local hospital. About half the rehab staff are contract. I've been out to happy hour and lunch with the staff and everyone seems very nice.

I've eaten in Little Italy (yummy), walked a bit around the harbor, found a grocery store and the long street open air market. Plans to explore the Aquarium and get tickets to broadway shows at the Hippodrome (a convenient block from my apartment).

Yesterday I drove to D.C. to visit family and big brother took me to Citronelle (five stars) for a martini that knocked me out of my socks. Then he took me with his wife and friends to Zed's Ethiopian restaurant-- which also knocked me off my socks! The food was great, we ate the courses family style scooping from a central plate. No instruments were used during the meal--only the flat bread and our hands. It was like eating dinner with a pancake. It was lovely.

I have a laptop now and am hooking on to a nearby wireless network. Whoo-hooo! I'm in business. As to the weather, it's a chilly night but comparable to a chilly Georgia night. Still haven't used the ice-scrapper...

P.S., so far I've seen the crime team dusting for finger prints in the lot next door (someone broke into the parking lot's attendent's box) and woke up at 2 am to people screaming (namely, a girl). This guy and girl were struggling and hitting each other. Just when I was about to call the cops, he apologized and they kissed-- lover's quarrel extraodinare. Drama. I'm not moving my car to that lot afterall!!!

Trippping Along Towards the Snowy North

Route: I-20 towards Florence, I-77 N, I-85 N, I-95 N

Stopped by my friend Heather's house which hosts a friend's adorable daughter, a french cafe themed kitchen, and a ham and cheese sandwich. Entertained by friend's adorable daughter and absent-minded conversation with poor Heather. My brain had turned off and I"m not sure why! It was worth the trip, anyway.

Slept at Hampton Inn Exit 12 in NC on I-85-- very nice hotel with comfy beds. Ate at Brian's steak house, not to be confused in any way with Ryan's steak house. Ate a very decent meal of squash, onion rings and prime rib perfectly done and tender to chew. Wrote 10 thank you notes to friends then slept like a log untill 9am. Grabbed yogart down in the lobby and headed on my way.

Stopped at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, exit 80 on I-95 above Richmond (Lakeside exit). Very lovely system of paths with dead plants. 20 minutes into the walk I turned around, went back to the car, and changed from my sweater into a tee-shirt. The thermometer on my dash said 70 degrees F. Rumors of snow are greatly exaggerated! Went back and wandered for about 2 hours through all the little winding pathways. I truely enjoyed my stroll, but definitely plan to come back when everything is blooming. A small inside conservatory was dressed with palms and poinsettas in the middle (still decorated for christmas), orchids down in one wing of every variety, and oderous flowery plants down the other wing. The back wing was closed, as were the gift shop and the tea shack. That may explain why the place was so empty and peaceful-- I could always see someone in the distance, but rarely met anyone close. There was this great little path that lead to a series of rhododendroms with some varieties about 200 years old per the gardener I ran into. They ranged from really old to brand new hybrids all donated by the Rhododendrom society. He pointed out a small path down by the lake that led to an old bench and a great hiding spot to just sit and relax (which, or course, I did). As mentioned before, it deserves a spring or summer time trip-- but then there will be bees! Yikes.

Drove to Brian's house in D.C. and am now sitting down to write up the journey so far. Brian and Beth are both working until 5pm so I'm at loose ends until then (which gives me a chance to unwind from the start of D.C. rush hour traffic).

I'm really looking forward to my journey to Baltimore tomorrow. It will be nice to get started and stop worrying about the getting started part. More later when I have a computer-- and that may take awhile! I may have to resort to internet cafe.

Off to "the big city"- chores done

Well I'm off. Don't have an apartment yet-- thought we had one but then it turned out there was no vacancy. No room at the preverbial inn for me! So we started over yesterday and there's a great possibility looming. It's only 3 blocks from work, but those 3 blocks are unwalkable at 7am due to the crime rate.

I'm off all medication (rash reaction to drug number 2 yesterday morning so I skipped my last dose.) The ankle is recovering well. It did not help the ankle when I tried to chase a cat that had attacked Paco the Demon cat (as he is affectionately referred to) and landed wrong on it. But it's all good.

Saw John and met his girl (thanks for the correction Matthew!) two nights ago (sweet girl) and am meeting Heather for lunch today before her class. Only missed my friend Cheria who thought we were meeting NEXT weekend. Too bad- I was going to pick her brain some more about travelling and life as a married woman (newly married). Ate lunch with grandma and gave her my beta fish, Hemaglobin, to take care of. Got a call from the old boss regarding a report I left out- opps- I dictated the results to her as best I could remember. All in all things have been going smoothly.

Mom and dad are heading to the same city for a follow up appointment (mom is status post coccygectomy) and will meet with me Friday night. Hopefully I'll have an apartment to show them. Julie called me an warned me that the apartment Lori had picked was "over our budget" and we'd have to reduce utilities. That means I'll pay out of pocket for electricity and $66 of the $210 required for monthly parking (yikes).

Damn Yankees, here I come. I'll lay the accent thick and eat my grits when homesick!

The Murphy's Move-- 7 day review

Murphy's law is hitting me over the head with a sledge hammer. Here's the set-up: Had 48 hours to pack the rest of my belongings with the truck arriving at 9am Monday. Expected the parents to come sometime on Sunday to help with packing as I am NO GOOD AT IT. Expected to get half done Saturday, half on Sunday. Results:

1. Friday night- ran a fever of 102 F at midnight and green stuff coming out of my nose. Insurance ended Friday at midnight. COBRA paperwork had not been filled out on my last day. Was up until 3am waiting for fever to drop.

2. Saturday- slept until 11am due to late and uncomfortable night. Woke up, realized insurance problem, and called a few co-workers (ex-co-workers) to problem solve with me. Andrea suggested I call an MD I work with. MD listened to symptoms, called in prescription for Augmentin over the phone. I picked up prescription, Afrin, propel water, chicken and stars soup and started treating my sinus infection. Forced myself to church Saturday evening so I could say goodbye to everyone. Debbie offered to come and help me move, but I assured her the parents would be helping and I would be working on it this evening. Spent New Years eve packing boxes.

3. Sunday- received call from parents-- mom sick too and dad can't come until "late this evening". Called Debbie from church in panic- she came and packed with me for 4 hours (Plan to send Thank you note and gift certificate!) Dad arrived 8pm and helped pack the kitchen and clean the oven. Side effects from medication, gut related, started Sunday morning.

4. Monday- pouring down rain entire time packing truck. Help arrived in the form of a friend's son and nephew who were paid for their services-- they arrived on time and did ALL the lifting. good news at last. Barbara (friend) helped me pack last minute stuff. Dad and I moved the truck contents into storage and some into house. Besides rain, and continued medicine effects (frequent bathroom breaks), move went moderately smooth.

5. Tuesday- Took load in Uhaul to goodwill and to dump. Dump was closed! Went back home to drop off trash, including matress and really long ladder, and then dropped off truck. Put old microwave and air conditioner into the back of my car to deliver to dump on Wednesday. Did lots of planning and paperwork.

6. Wednesday- stayed in PJs until 3pm. Loaded songs on ipod, did multiple loads of wash, did recerts for medicaid, watched TV. :-) Gut effects increased ten-fold and MD was called. Was told I had a semi-serious problem and given another prescription to avoid colitis. Dad and I headed to dump at 4pm and found out they'd take the microwave but not the air conditioner. Grrr. Headed to Augusta apartment to clean and finish the last few bits. Air conditioner "fell out of" my car next to an apartment dumpster-- too heavy to pick back up. Call me for the full story. Dad left. I cleaned until 1am Thursday.

7. Thursday- finished cleaning. Carried large amounts of trash in car to dumpster. Went back to hospital as visiter and finished paperwork and turned in recerts. 1 outstanding report to be completed this weekend and mailed in to appropriate places. Confirmed COBRA. Loaded car, turned in keys and final rent (prorated- yeah!). Went to Guppy's house and landed up staying the night. Ate wing stop french fries (yeah again). New medicine worked well.

8. Friday- Dropped off stuff at storage. Went to parents' home and promptly fell off of steps while walking down. Landed in fetal position after banging knee hard and twisting ankle. Spent morning with ankle elevated and both knee and ankle with ice bags attached. Took motrin. Did bills and cancelled services to old place (sit-down activities). Took a load up to storage after wrapping ankle well with bandage. Stiff and sore-- wrote blog.

Well, there you are. Did I mention I'm NEVER sick and I've NEVER sprained my ankle before?

What a move. Get off my back, Murphy!

Addendum: Called my travelling agency-- they don't have a place for me to live yet and I'm moving in next Friday. Not my concern- they will find a place for me I'm sure!