So lots has happened since I have blogged as always. I took a trip to Oklahoma. Yeah I know what you are thinking.. why Oklahoma of all places to take a vacation? Well there are lots of awesome people there in "God's country" as Jon would say. So it was a pretty exciting trip. I had some airport issues but I still love to fly. I think I may return in May to see graduation at Oklahoma State. Tis a very nice area and they have red dirt there.. awesome.
Yesterday night my family and I went to see the Cleveland Orchestra's annual Christmas concert. We see this concert every year and every year I have a renewed interest in orchestral music. I mean I love all music, but there is something about being in the room when a full orchestra is playing that really gets to me. When we were listening I felt I was the only person in the room listening. I was moving my body to the music. It was just awesome. I do not know how else to describe it other than beautiful. Almost a spiritual time.
I think I am going to begin picking up more hours at work. I need to stay a little more busy these days because I have quite a bit on my mind. I am not sure how to describe it but there are things, events, and future ideas on my mind that have been bugging me alot. So since I do not have a whole lot going on in Medina, as far as people are concerned I am going to pick up more working hours.
Currently my family and I are watching The Polar Express. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies. It is a fairly new one but still my favorites. It reminds me of the times when my parents would read me the book as a child. Yay for profound childhood moments.
Anyway, I hope everyone who reads this has a Merry Christmas.

Well here I am again. I would post more often but I'm just not sure who really reads this. Yet for those fans out there, here I am again. Since I last posted not a whole lot has occured. Michael W. Smith came out with a new album. U2 did also, but kinda new kinda not. I purchased plane tickets to go to Oklahoma mid-December. This is an exciting trip, first because I am getting paid to go, two because I get to go into three different states (one not being Ohio), and three because I get to have some fun with some pretty great people.
I cannot believe that it is December already. It seems like November or this year in general pretty much flew by. Seems like yesterday I was glued to my television during awards season, or graduation occured, watched one of my best friends get married, and that I was stressing my self to death without actually having a heart attack about nursing state boards. Yet here I am in and amongst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. I love this time of year. I love the commercials that make me cry.. especially the jewelry one's even though I am not one who is big on jewelry. I love the music you hear in every store. I love going shopping, whether I am just browsing or actually purchasing an item. I love talking with friends and family at this time of year. Tis a great time of year, even despite the coldness, but it makes this time good for cuddling... well, with my kitty

I find myself these days thinking about my future and all that it might entale. I mean not that I am trying to plan a whole lot. I really have nothing planned beyond seeing the Cleveland Orchestra for their Christmas show... w00t!!! Then the dentist in January. I kind of like this whole.. "hey whatever happens, happens" attitude. I work fiveish days a week. I play with my kitty. I run errands. I sleep in all the time.. (praising Jesus for that). And I have time to talk to my friends. This is a good life I am having right now. I have nothing tying me down, nothing too urgent to cause alarm and put life on hold. This is a new concept to me. For those still in college, this concept will become new to you once you are out of school.. it is quite interesting. I mean all the things that I wanted to get involved with while I was in college but never had time to do, I can do now. I am reading my Bible more, reading books (slowly but surely), decorating a spare bedroom, making jewelry. Taking long walks in the country. All this so my job does not become my life. I am a fan. Perhaps I am just waiting for something out of the blue to happen, and life will turn upside down. However, but for now I think that I will enjoy the beauties of this current state of being.

Good morning! Very early for me this morning. My friend Vicki and I are going to be getting on the road to Huntington, WV. Going to go through Kenova, WV where Michael W. Smith grew up and have lunch somewhere around there. Then heading to the Marshall University Thundering Herd Homecoming game. w00t!!! This is my first Marshall game inside the stadium. It looks awesome from the outside, I'm excited for the true experience on the inside. I am set with all my Marshall gear. Hoping to get something for Vicki to wear because she threatened to wear Ohio State stuff to the game... and I think she maybe shot if she does that (judging by the last encounter OSU and Marshall had 2 years ago). Anyway, work is going great. The other night was pretty frightening with a violent patient.. but I am alive, alert and awake. I must though that I love my job. The last 5 years of school have certainly paid off. The only thing I am encountering. which my co-workers think I should work on is the time I spend with my patients. I spend alot of time with them because that is just me, I am a people person. I love talking with them and really finding out how I can help them. Because of this I am late on charting and get out of work a little bit later. Well, I'm sorry, I think its worth it all.

That's all I have to say about that,
Mel

I am at my parents place today. Doing some laundry. Getting some business done. Went to Best Buy to get a new MP3 player. The original MP3 player I had was the victim of a fight I was involved in with a bee. So I dropped it and the battery cover broke off and I have been using tape to keep it on for a couple weeks. And you all know me and bees do not mix. So I traded it in Oct. 18th, however the headphones were screwed up and I had no user guide and couldnt make playlists with the new one. So I traded it in for a Sansa. Not too bad thus far. Plus it gave me some free music on it. I wanted to get a Creative MP3 player, because I think they make great players. However, Best buy did not have any affordable ones. I am going to play with it more tonight when I get back to the apartment. I got my license plates for the new car today. Word of advice: Take you Social Security card with you if you do not have it already on your license because you will have to go back home and get it and go back... and that takes much time. Thats all I have to say about that.
Love and Peace or Else,
Mel

I am alive. Update for me. I am officially a Registered Nurse.. that is 265 questions and 6.5 hours later. Shout out to the NCLEX people!!! Anyway, still at Medina General. Still in orientation till end of October. I just purchased a new car this evening. Actually my first car I have ever bought... scary!!!!! It is a 2007 Toyota Scion tC. I am following in the Robertson family tradition of getting it in silver. I last car was "Cinnamon" in color however every other car this family has ever had has been in silver. It is a very nice car. It may take a bit of getting used to a 2-door car. It is very roomy too. Decent gas mileage. I do not do a whole lot of driving anyway so that was not a huge priority. The good thing is that I am establishing credit. I have pretty much nothing to this point and now that I am making some decent money I can get a new car. I also have a new kitty. Her name is Jonesy. I love her a lot.. sometimes I do not like her.. but I love her. She is 6 monthish old. She is a cream tabby. The most curious apartment cat ever! Anyway, I am quite the tired little lad and am going to bed now. So that I finally have the internet, I will be posting more... for those who actually read any of this stuff!

Here is a pic taken on board the cruise with our capitan that we referred to as "Captain Crunch", because his name was wierd and foreign.. but a nice guy nonetheless. WOW what a trip. This is a picture of one of a few towel animals left by our steward Dui on the cruise. Pretty cool to see God's awesome creation first hand. Only advice I can give upon coming back from this journey is to never stay in a Red Lion Hotel.. ever! Not much else whould be said but this. Anyways, I am taking my state boards at the end of August. I am looking forward to getting this over. I am also looking forward to all that is ahead of me once I get this license. I will finally be able to breathe. Life will officially make its turn.

I am working still at Medina General Hospital. Very cool place to work. Best thing about working in a small community hospital is that everyone is pretty tight with each other. And this are no crazy traumas in the ER. It is interesting to see the difference between a city hospital that is connected to a bigger one and a small community hospital that is privately owned. I like it better.

I hope all is well with whoever does indeed read this blog. Pray for me that this test goes well and all this hard work will finally pay off.

Yes I am still alive. I have been busy moving, studying, and breathing. Moved to Medina, OH 44256 recently. Studying for the NCLEX is taking up a majority of my time. Starting a new job at Medina General Hospital tomorrow. Also, going to Alaska/Canada very soon for a cruise with the fam. So life is a little hectic and taking it all one day at a time. Oh yeah and just found out that Smitty is coming to Cleveland December 9th so I am pretty reved up for that. Just saving some money so I can attend this gathering. Anyway, keep it for rizzle!

Invisible Children In Need To Be Visible

Some friends and I went to see this documentary called Invisible Children (very cool website) at First Christian Church. There is so much that I would want to convey to you about this film. Three college students set out to discover Africa, but instead they found the truth. There are tons of kids everyday being kidnapped, and brainwashed to fight a war that is happening in Northern Uganda. Kids as young as 5 are taken from their homes and taught how to kill. They are giving guns and are instructed how to go and kill other people or kidnap other kids to join the army. Thousands of kids have to leave there homes and walk miles upon miles to the city of Gulu, Uganda and sleep in St. Marys Hospital or in bus parks. At these locations they are safe from the LRA Rebels. The whole history of this war that is going on is not right. There just does not seem like any logical reason for the fighting. However, it still continues on; it has been for 2 decades. This war has become worse than the Holocaust that we all know about. There was not a dry eye in the chapel. I caught myself just dropping my jaw at what was being depicted before my very eyes. Thousands of children hiding out from the LRA so they can continue to live their lives. But what kind of life is it really? I could not imagine living in a country where everyday I was running from an army so evil and so sick. I also caught myself screaming at God in my head. Why would this happen to these innocent children who want and are capable of being so much more? How could God let such violent hate happen in this country, and for so long now? I do not know. Despite the depression of it all, these kids stil have the guts to be resilient to the fighting. We see them dancing, singing, playing, smiling, and laughing. How can they do this? I do not know if I would have such courage to do this. This is a film that I would encourage everyone to see if it is coming to a city near you. If not, I would convey an importance to buy this film and spread the word of the violence happening in northern Uganda. April 29th is the Global Night Commute. This is a night that people in 136 cities all over the world are doing the very same thing that thousands of kids do every night in the Uganda; they walk to their destination to sleep. That is what we are doing. This movement is a plea to the US government to intervene and stop this war in northern Uganda. Who know why we havent done anything thus far!! But instead of a big rally, we are taking this lying down. We are going to sleep on it; perhaps it will open the worlds eyes. As of right now 13,813 people have signed up. That is certainly not enough. Please comitt to one night. This is going to be huge! Just as huge as the 20,000-50,000 children who are abducted to fight as soldiers.

I Have Two Words For You: Ocean's Thirteen

Yes, this is correct. I am sure that you have heard the buzz about this movie. Warner Brothers announced the movie sometime back in January. However, recently they have made it officially official. Filming theoretically is beginning July 21st. But because of busy schedules among cast and crew they are filming on 5 separate sound stages in Los Angeles. So these stages in L.A. are going to be Las Vegas, essentially. This could be a good or a bad thing. We will just have to wait and see. Another bit of a beef I am having is there is no Catherine Zeta-Jones or Julia Roberts will not be present in the movie. Again, could be a good or a bad thing. Personally I was not such a huge "lets have Julia Roberts play Julia Roberts" in Oceans Twelve; but for some it worked. But I would say that Oceans Twelve was my favorite because of all the traveling involved. We were able to see places around the world that some of us may never travel to. Yet, the good thing is that all the same guys are back! Yes, George Clooney is back; this is a very good thing! So there is a new chick in town she is going to be played by actress Ellen Barkin. And supposedly she is going to be "closely connected" with Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon). Wow! That is a rather large age difference. So let's face it, at the end of Oceans Twelve François Toulour (Vincent Cassel) did kinda give a tid bit of potential foreshadowing that something was going to happen in the future with the whole "playing a garden guy" at one of Terry Benedict's (Andy Garcia) casinos, as if he was going to rob it. So this was coming, it was just a matter of time till we saw another sequel. I have mixed feelings about this Oceans Thirteen business. I will most likely be seeing it, but I make no guarantees of making it my new favorite. But I do look forward to hearing the new tagline. The one for Oceans Twelve was a little clever.. I predict "Thirteen Is Not Just A Devilish Number Anymore."
Speaking of George Clooney and Las Vegas, sometime in April will be the ground breaking of Las Ramblas. This is hopefully be my future place of residence... haha, yeah right... never will I ever be able to afford living there let alone hitting a casino or two. But I will visit, perhaps. Check out the website pretty cool stuff there is in store out there. Finally, a place in Vegas where you show wear a suit jacket. Just like in the old days of The Rat Pack. I look forward to seeing that completed around the predicted time of 2011.. hmm if I save one dollar a day between now and then I could pay for a month's worth of rent.

True and Complete Madness

Okay so in recent years the NCAA Tournament has routinely been in the month of March. Thus has been rightly termed March Madness because of all the different sports going through their own tournament based on their different divisions, etc. However, this year, at least for Division I Mens Basketball, the term March Madness has a bit of a different meaning. This is the first year in a long time that I have seen really low ranked teams beating pretty higher randked teams. This is something that I am finding rather hard to grasp. Then there was this game yesterday night, the ultimate upset. Sixth-seeded Michigan State University becomes defeated by eleventh-seeded George Mason University. I truly thought that MSU could make it past the first round against a team that not many people have ever heard of. Then upon getting the scores this morning, I have come across another interesting upset. Bradley University ranked 13th, upset the University of Kansas ranked 4th. Kansas of all colleges... who not that long ago actually won the NCAA Tourney. I suppose it is still somewhat well and good. At least UCLA and University of Kentucky have not lost. I have no one else to pull for if they are gone. Though I have been wanred by my friend Steph to not root for UCLA because they beat Belmont, the school where her friend Beth (recent newlywed) went to college. I am not a huge Duke fan, though I will not deny their great talent. They just have so much spot light on them at most every NCAA tournament that I am just kind of bored with seeing the ads, newspaper articles, etc., that look like pieces of Duke threw-up everywhere.
So all in all, it has been a madening first round. I am hoping that Kentucky and/or UCLA will be able to pull something off. I suppose tis time to rearrange for the 3rd time my prediction bracket. Typically this need not to be done.

What a Night...

Yes it was the 78th Annual Academy Awards on March 5, 2006. It was a night filled with references of some blah humor to Brokeback Mountain and the movie that should have won more that being Good Night, and Good Luck. First let me start off with saying that George Clooney won his first Oscar and the first Oscar awarded in the evening. He won Best Supporting Actor for Syriana. Nicole Kidman awarded the statue to him, which is a little ironic to do believe. At the Golden Globes in 200 she also gave him an award. She must be some special good luck charm. Okay, so lets start at the beginning. It was a rather interesting opening. In past years we have all laughed so hard that we have often cried at the jokes from Billy Crystal. Though this was not done on this night, the opening was a bit funny. There is a point at the end fo the video opening where Jon Stewart is dreaming (with Halle Berry in bed with him) that he had a dream the Academy asked him to host the award show. Upon going back to sleep he wakes up again, turns over, there is the one and only George Clooney next to him. George was instructing him to start the show and that he wasnt dreaming at that point. It was an interesting opening, but I have seen better. The rest of the evening was filled with the usual funny moments. It seemed as though everyone and their mother was thanking George Clooney for their award. Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson won for Best Documentary Short. Cirrine Marrinan at the end of the speech said that she wanted to thank that Academy for seating her next to George Clooney during the Nominees Luncheon. Very hmmm...
This was also a night for surprises. Crash won Best Picutre. This was quite a shock to me. I was totally thinking it was going to be a Brokeback Mountain night. However, the Academy must not have been as a fan of a gay cowboy movie as the other award shows. So Ang Lee did win Best Director... go figure; and the movie also won an award for Original Score and Adapted Screenplay. I was excited for Philip Seymour Hoffman winning for Capote, but also disappointed that David Strathairm did not win for Good Night, and Good Luck. Anyway, it was a good evening overall. The best, of course, that Clooney won his first Oscar ever for a very important film that needed to be made at this point in our country's history.

"The Second Chance" for us all

Upon reading many reviews and finally seeing the movie with my friend Vicki, I have a few words of my own to say. Another friend of mine, Janine, went to a Jubillee conference in Pittsburgh this past weekend. She said that there was a viewing of the movie, then Steve Taylor(director) and Jeff Carr(Jake) were there for a question and answer session. I was a bit jealous of this, but if Smitty was there whoa I would be supremely jealous. Anyway, there is alot to take away from this movie. Not just the idea that money should not be depended on to take care of the troubles that we face. However, it is a message for all of us. In the words from the title of John Ortberg book, "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat." Stepping out of our comfort zone is a huge concept for the Christian to grasp. Today, at least I do not see many churches going out beyond their own doors into communities to reach people for Christ. Jake's character is someone who is very in tune with his "hood"; its like he owns it. He knows alot of the people around there, goes out to help those who need it, and interacts with kids in gangs who really need Jesus. That was an awesome perspective to see in this film. I am not saying that we should all go to the ghetto and reach out to those people we see on the street. I am saying that talking to complete strangers and sharing the gospel with them is something we are called to do. And you do not have to go to other countries on missions trips to do this; while I am not discounting this either. Crossing racial and economic barriers to reach the lost. Let me ask you, do your neighbors know that you are a Christian? Get out of that comfort zone you are so attached to and go "walk on the water" with Jesus, He will never leave you side. This reminds me of Moses being called by God to deliver the people out of Egypt. In Exodus 3, Moses comes into contact with a burning bush that does not burn up. Eventually into the conversation he is having with God Moses objects 5 times to God's calling. Moses says: "Who Am I? (vs. 11), "Who are you?" (vs. 13), "What if they don't believe me?" (4:1-9), "I can't speak well" (4:10-12), "Please send someone else." (4:13-17). We all tend ot do this; I know i am very guilty of it. Even in the movie, Ethan did not want to go work with Jake. He even talk Jeremiah, he father, to send a sunday school teacher instead of him. Pure Moses in the flesh. Setting aside the message Steve Taylor was trying to drive across to his audience, the movie as a whole was great. It was a nice break from alot of the not so good movies that have been in theaters of late. Though in this movie we see depictions of drug exchanges, some language, and other implications, I do believe that Steve Taylor had to do this in order for the movie to get somewhere. This could be a good or a bad thing. Regardless, having these charactertistics in the movie would show reality from a different view point. And this is reality people! Though it would have been nice if the movie had received a better response from the viewing public. This past weekend the movie dropped 3 theaters bring the total to being in 84 theaters now. Grossing $250,000ish during opening weekend, bringing the grand total now to be $377,168. Now that this means anything, just giving some factoids. Speaking of factoids, here is one, Steve Taylor mortgaged his house to do this movie... whoa! Now at first, I was a little disappointed with the ending. However, as I have had some time to reflect on the ending and the general movie itself (and finding out somethings from Janine about Steve's perspective), I do indeed appreciate the way it was ended. Originally there was three endings they were working with. One was, they were going to have the church knocked down. Another was going to have the mayor come on the roof and he was going to express himself by saying he was wrong about the whole thing. The last was the one they ended with. Everything made sense leading to the ending. Ethan said he and his soon to be wife were going to stay in the "hood" with Jake and his family to minister. Jeremiah expressed how wrong he has been and things are now put in a different perspective. And the church was not torn down. Okay, and that is it. It makes sense. This film does not need an elaborate ending, because the story itself and the rest of the film did the job of that. So I rest my case for the film. It was a great movie to see. I enjoyed seeing Donnie McClurkin in the movie. Oh yeah and umm, you all really need to buy the soundtrack, tis very super!
ESKIMO PEE!!!!

Tis 5 days and counting till The Second Chance movie will be out in theaters. Please come and support this movie sometime during the opening weekend. The more response during the first weekend the more it will go wide during March. There is much more to come with this blog. It is a little more complicated that xanga, so bare with me. I feel like I have to learn HTML all over again. Anyway, hope all is well. Hope you were able to catch Michael W. Smith on Larry King Live 2/10/06. It was an interesting show. Smitty looked a bit nervous at some points, because of the issues Larry King decided to bring up. Here is a link to the transcript of the show.

Good Night and Good Luck