Busy Day Off

Hello fellow bloggers,

This morning I got off my 9 night run. I slept intermittently, then I finally woke up @ 3 pm to clean my room, go food shopping & pick up a couple of things for the house. After running errands, I came home to cook a delicious dinner, I made Frances' pasta, garlic & basil but I added my own little twist to it. I also made Paula's salad & skipped the meat & added my home made salad dressing, for desert we made strawberry & banana smoothies. After being in the kitchen & enjoying the good food with my kids, I realized I miss being home. I'm always working & I try to cook before I leave, & 9/10 times I don't get a chance to eat with my family, so on my nights off I try to make something special & enjoy it with the brats. 

While out on my errands I bought a nice shower head, I will be installing it tomorrow as well as putting one of my IKEA filing cabinets together; I will also be paying some bills before I leave to ATL on Friday.

Banana & strawberry smoothie

Fabulous dinner: shrimp pasta & my special salad

After some quality time with the kids I read a couple of articles & found another strong Delilah:

How appropriate, she's an athlete & of course the article was under her vagina! LOL

The other article I read was how to be true to yourself- it was a good read. I try to read self improvement material, trying to be the best person I can be! 

Quote:

I have been through enough, & no I have not given up on myself or love!

I won't let my experiences sour my demeanor or the next person I meet.

I have faith that in time I will meet some body who will accept me for all that I am & sees that I am a genuine person with a good heart.

Halfway there

GM Fellow bloggers!

I am feeling good- just put 8- 13 hr shifts- straight behind me, 1 more to go then I will be off for 12 days & I am going to Hotlanta to see my family & help one of my cousins, I grew up with celebrate her wedding! I have been consistently working out & watching what I eat & my body is finally responding.  Not only am I feeling good about my appearance I am proud of my bedside manner. After being @ HUMC for 5 nights in a row, I had the privilege to take care of some pretty awesome people. I was complimented & was given a beautiful velvet cupcake & even offered a job to run a mental health clinic! I tell you, talk about stroking my ego! Wow! My VIP pt, stated, "you are definitely in the right profession, you bring out the best in people & your humor does help the healing process"- thank you so much. I got pretty choked up.

My infamous healthy chicken salad!

Thanks Paula for the recipe- I eat it daily & switch up the meat & sometime go meatless!

Enjoying my god-daughters in between shifts- love those girls!

Almost done changing all my documents back to Escamilla! Next is RN license, passport, HUMC ID

My gift from one of my more difficult patients, it took me 2 nights to win over this family!

It was too pretty had to get a over head shot of this huge cup cake!

Celebrating Ms. Helen's B-day on my 5th night @ the Hack- Love u Freak!

On another note, I waited too long to go back to school, I just found out, that they got rid of the Master's program @ my Alma mater, Rutgers University! So, I am forced to apply @ UMDNJ, where they will only accept 6 of my 9 credits- sucks :-( . On the other hand, I have a bunch of colleagues from Livingston & Hackensack that currently attend that school & they have offered their support in my endeavor.
As for my social life, non-existing mostly, & occasionally not to proud of my decisions, but- I really can't commit to any kind of relationship @ this time. I have to focus on myself & I have told myself, that I @ least have to wait until Shami is in college before I can consider any type of committed relationship; which is @ least 3 years in time. For now, I will enjoy my new freedom & continue to rediscover my strengths & finish my collegeic education. All while taking care of my family & enjoying views like this with my Marley!:

The creek by my condo complex

It's mentally soothing to walk by this image everyday!

My back door, it's been raining steadily, which has caused allot of growth- hope mgt takes care of it soon!

Quotes:

These are just a few standards I currently live by- they have been working for me!

Today's Saying:

Life is about chances you take & the choices you make & the changes you implement to enhance your life! Author: Delilah Escamilla

Summer Slimming

GM fellow bloggers!

It has been a couple of days since I last logged on, but the neglect has been for a worthy cause. I have been working & working out hard. I try to walk twice a day & also do an abd & arm work out alternating it with yoga & meditation. When I got here from NM I was weighing in @ 163 lbs, I dropped to 153 lbs & hit a plateau. Since I started the twice a day walks & the alternating work outs, I have dropped down to 141 lbs. For the past 3 weeks, I started eating more raw veggies & fruits, which seem to have expedited the process of the weight loss. My goal is to reach 130 lbs by June 1st, I want to be able to wear a bikini @ age 41, even though I already look like 28- thank you God for the good genes!
                                           Chicken salad @ my good friend's, Paula's house.

A hearty breakfast, after a 40 minute power walk

My daughters, whom keep me focused! We all wear the same size, now!

@ TGIF acting silly & only ordering the appetizers!

My new weapons to keep fit!

Me, halfway to my goal!

As you can see my problem areas are my arms & mid-section!

I will try to log my progress & hope that by doing that, will keep me more focused on meeting my goal!

Quote:

My mirror

So, fellow bloggers,

I bought a 5' X 2' mirror about 2 months ago. My son, Shami, says to me, "Mom, you've had this for 2 months & you have not unwrapped it". He made me realize that I was not comfortable seeing myself yet & this is why I had not opened my mirror. I had just been passing it by & avoiding it, it wasn't until last weekend, when I received a call & was obligated to stage an intervention for someone really close to me. It was that act that gave me the confidence to open & unwrap my mirror & I am finally starting to fall in love with the person I see on the other side of that mirror.
I've always known that we are all works in progress & although for the last 40 years I was too busy taking care of my nephew, boyfriend, grandma, mom, children, brother, cousin, husband, dogs & patients- I have never had to take care of myself. I now get therapy, exercise, meditate & do all kinds of things to take care of myself. The close friend I helped said to me, you are always good to other people, you need to be good to yourself consistently. I thought about what this person said to me, & I now make a conscious effort to do something for myself everyday. I also make sure that I look into my mirror everyday & tell myself affirmations that apply specifically to me.
On a lighter note, I continue to meet with my friends & enjoy what the tri-state area has to offer: this time on the border east coast style:

                                                                    Steak fajitas

                                                                 /w rice & beans on the side

                                                                steak burritos /w salad

                                                            fish tacos /w beans

                                                           chicken fajitas

                                                        guacamole /w a twist of lemon

                                 @ this outing I was joined by Jodie, Phil, Joanna, Minh & Sharon

          On Easter Sunday I was the Easter bunny & bought my 4LW crew some much needed chocolates

                 & although it was a 4 hr shift for me I was thanked & compensated with a Haitian dinner:
                                    Black rice, Haitian style ribs & corned dish /w sparkling cider

Thanks Ms. Evie & I know Barry, you wanted me to stay the whole 12 hrs, but honestly I needed to sleep @ night this week to prepare for Dasha's surgery & my Moms chemo! In the midst of my 9 night stretch!

Quote:   You don't need someone to complete you, you just need someone to accept you completely!


- thanks to the SBMC Peds ER RNs for this one; I will see you tonight & figure out more quotes- really starting to love you guys to. Have to incorporate you guys in the blog!

P.S. I am starting to accept myself completely!

Dear Delilah

This entry is to honor the one who needs to be reminded to keep pushing:

Dear Dee,

I know you have been through allot in the past year & things did not turn out like you would want. But just know that you are a strong Hispanic woman who is optimistic & have genuine values! You are a loyal friend, confidant, & a strong team player. You keep it together with a smile on your face & laugh when it hurts. I know when you're by yourself you cry & ask why you? But, honestly, you are the one person who gets through things & never complains (maybe not in public, but the kids hear your complaints).
You are a very graceful woman. You have managed to do so much in such a short time & have forgiven those who don't deserve it & continue to talk to them as if they did nothing wrong. But, it's who you are, & that is what makes you beautiful, you give @ will & never question or expect anything in return.
As a reminder of all you have done on your own, you carried an almost $3,000 rent for an entire year, you found a more feasible home, you bought yourself a brand new 2011 Nissan Rogue, you have bought your own furniture (& saved by clipping coupons & being thorough /w deal findings), you have a brand new washer & dryer (@ a steal). You continue to attract beautiful people into your life & re-welcomed old friends. Your home continues to be the meeting place for those you love. You have managed to lose weight & incorporate exercise into your life & have been a good role model for all your children. You work hard & are learning how to play hard. I am proud of you & am learning to love you for all that you are including your flaws!

Continue to surround yourself with the people who strengthen you- you will be okay. I also want to thank a close personal friend who was there when I got married & was there during the divorce. I had the opportunity to be there for you & I hope this will strengthen our relationship!

On another note, keep enjoying your food outings & the friends who value & cherish your relationship:

Sunday morning in Chinatown, Manhattan @ The Hop:

Snails Chinese style,

Lobster & crab combo,

Sweet & sour shrimp!

Quote: