64 Days

Well, I leave in 64 days and I can hardly wait.  I still have a lot more things to buy before I leave but I have a lot of the major things done (or at least scheduled).

I got a bit of good news, my titer test for hepatitis A & B showed I still had immunity so that saves being poked at least 3 more times and about $300 in shots.  So as far as shots are concerned, I just have my rabies series.  The rabies series is a set of 3 shots where you get your initial shot, your booster is a week later and the last shot is a month later. Many people say the shot stings and are very sore afterwards so I am NOT looking forward to this at all.  My first shot is scheduled this Monday (June 25^th).  

One of my classmates posted this list of items to buy, thought I might share it with everyone.  I have most things purchased but still need to pick up a few odds and ends

·         List of things to bring to Ross

(A list in progress)

Clothing

Shorts, Exercise/jogging shorts, 2 pair of jeans, Tee shirts, long sleeve shirts/light weight hoodies for class. 1 nice dress/pants/blouse/shirt/tie to wear to white coat, Pajamas, Sandals, Running/Workout shoes, 2 pairs of scrubs, Socks, Underwear, Swim suits, Rain jacket and umbrella - apparently gustbusters hold up very well, Hats

Living things – bedroom

Sheets for full bed, Mattress pad, Bedspread (light blanket ), Pillow, Laundry hampers, Laundry detergent , Collapsible storage containers, Battery operated alarm clock (power goes out a lot)

Living things – kitchen

Bowls, Pan, Tupperware containers, Can opener, Bottle opener, Dish towel, Dish soap, Measuring cup

Living things – bathroom

Towels (hand, body and beach), Shampoo & Conditioner, Body wash, Contact solution and case, Toothpaste and tooth brush, 3 floor rugss, TP, Gel, Aloe spray, Nail clippers, Tweezers, Floss, Q-tips, Deodorant, Blowdryer, straightener, curing iron, Hairbrush and hair supplies.

School Supplies

Binder rings, notebooks and folders for 1st semester classes, Pens/Pencils/Highlighters, Dry erase board and markers, Book ends for holding up your books on the shelf, Pencil/ pen organizer for your desk, Calculator, Scissors, Hole puncher, Index cards, Stapler/stapled

Miscellaneous Things

Zip lock bags, Medication (Tylenol, Advil, allergy meds, mosquito repellant for skin and clothes), tampons, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Bug spray, Baby powder, Ear Plugs, Reusable waterbottle

Electronics

Camera and charger, Cell phone and charger, Laptop and charger, Wireless mouse, Voice recorder, Ethernet cord, iPod and headphones, Alarm clock, Power strip, Router, UPS back up power, Flashlight, Battery operated lantern (for when power goes out), Batteries for mouse/recorder/radio/flashlight/alarm clock

Now to get this all in my suitcases!!

Moving (Part One)

Well, tomorrow I am officially moving out of Orange County and back home for a few months before I leave for the island of Saint Kitts.  It is very bitter sweet leaving the OC and moving home.  I have spent the last 5 years of my life “down here.” Yes, I know it is silly to say since my real home is only an hour away but I have grown up so much here and found some wonderful places and friends. 

It will be VERY weird not to be living with one of my AXO sisters.  I will not be living with someone my age?  I can’t go to the grocery store and come home with 5 packs of coke, ice cream and fruit roll ups and not be questioned? I can’t have nerf gun wars at 3am without a parent getting upset? No rabbit races? When I pound on the wall, I won’t have someone on the other side to answer?  I won’t be in the sorority house and able to go down stairs to take a nap on the green couch or have someone to talk to? How will I live without Gina’s Pizza and its million fundraisers?   I won’t to Albertsons on a Thursday night and see 30 other college kids buying the cheapest vodka ever with some cranberry juice or orange juice?  How can I not have the beach as my front yard? It will be strange not calling up a friend and going to yogurt land.  I hate to think about not having a shopping buddy to go to the spectrum, fashion island, or south coast plaza.  I know all I have to do I pick up a phone and call anyone of my sisters and we can plan a date to go do something.  But I wanted to thank EVERYONE who made these past 5 years AMAZING.  Each and every one of you has contributed and I cannot thank you enough.

Little- I said I never wanted a little but you made AXO so special.  I love you so much and so proud of you.  Playing on the volleyball court with you was an honor-you’re a beast and a cripple like your big.

Big-what can I say…I did not make your job easy but you were always there WHENEVER I needed support or a shoulder to lean on

Blogan- Words cannot describe how much you mean to me!! You were never afraid to be an original and I know you will do big things

Sara- I was scared to death to room with you (as you know) but we have had some AMAZING adventures together.  I hope one day you decide to be a vet so we can room together again in grad school.  You are like a sister I never had and can’t wait to hear of your world travels!

Katie- thank you for always listening to me about the situation and agreeing with me!!  You kept me sane this past year!!  Thank you for always being our setter and keeping the AXO volleyball dynasty alive for a few more years

Beast- Thank you for being my partner in crime on the field and off the field.  I still have scars and bruises from all of our amazing times together!

Annie-I know this year did not go the way that we planned but I still love you so much and proud of everything you have done.  I know I will run into you in a foreign country somewhere sometime.  You have GROWN SOOO much since you joined the chapter and I am proud to call you my sister

Shireen- Oh what can I say about you.  You are truly a mentor for me!! If I were you, I would have kicked my ass 1,000 times and defriended me on facebook (oh wait we did that).  But thank you for always being there for me no matter what I needed: study help, trip to the ER, or just a good laugh!! 

Novelle- Thank you for keeping me SANE-that is NOT an easy job.  I still remember our first retreat and talking to you for hours and not taking 1 normal photo.  Thank you for introducing me to my Chanel sunglasses that I probably didn’t need but you said I needed them.  You are always there when I need you and you BETTER visit me on the island

Michelle-thank you for sharing a wall with me this past year and proving gingers are not that bad…get ready for stagecoach next year (will you be 21 YET??)

Stagecoach girls-we are going back next year so be ready…Bigger and Better this time!! But honestly, the memories I have from the past years will last as long as the pictures.  Who knew a beer slip n slide could be so much fun..but it wasn’t as fun as the people I shared it with

To my exec board-what can I saw…We Ran That S**T….I still have many fond memories of all of us (even Taylor’s fro). Thank you for the strength and encouragement to do my job and assist in leading AXO.  We all spent endless hours doing our jobs and I think we did a job well done!! 

Marissa- You sense of compassion and leadership ability still amazes me to this day.  You are truly a real strong woman and I admire you day in and day out  

Corrie & Danielle- I LOVED playing soccer with both of you!! We laughed many times together about who knows what!!  I demand you stay in touch with me and keep the tranny level high.  PS- you both have big shoes to fill in the chapter

Nakano- Thanks for always being there: Pref, Sports, formal dates, and most important…RUBYS!!  I can still hear your laugh many miles away

Twin & Niece: Thank you for always making me laugh and understanding my craziness.  We are family no matter what and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

All the AXO Alums- You volunteered countless hours to the fraternity and to me!!  I learned so much from you and thank you all every day for all your service.  I pledge that once I am done with school and in a stable situation, I want to give back to Alpha Chi, just like you did.  I have the upmost respect for all you.

I know I missed a few people on here…don’t worry…you will be in the next post. If I don’t stop now these boxes are never going to get packed!!

I feel like the move home for the few months is going to be harder than the move to the island. 

75 Days till departure and MORE shots

Well, I officially leave in 75 days!! Today I received my blood draw for my RPR test and blood type.  I thought I would only have to be poked 3 more times for the rabies vaccines, but I think I am wrong.

 I received my hepatitis A and B shots when I was young and the school requires a titer test to be done if it has been more than 10 years.  Well, in my case it has been more than 10 years so I guess I am going to have to find a place to do a titer test.  In addition, if I have 0 immunity I will have to receive more vaccines.   I am not sure if they just have a booster shot for hepatitis A and B or if I have to do the series of 3 all over again.  Now the bigger question is, will my insurance pay for THIS part??  Probably not!!

Shots, Blood Tests, Criminal Record, OH MY!!

The past few weeks have flown by!!  I have been working an average of 50 hours a week so that has been keeping me busy but on my days off I am doing things to prepare for my departure. 

I LOVE checking things off my to do list.  On Monday I got my tetanus booster shot and my Tb test done.  Results from my tb test were done Wednesday and I am good to go. I went to the Downey police station and got a copy of my criminal record (or lack of one) and I also scheduled my RPR blood test for next Monday so I am able to check that off my list.  Lastly, I have my first rabies shot scheduled for June 25^th (not looking forward to this).  The rabies shot is a series of 3 shots and what I read they sting and hurt A LOT.  In addition to hurting, the rabies shot cost over $200 a piece (there goes my next pay check).  If my calculations are correct I should only have to get poked 4 more times (one for the rpr test and then 3 for the rabies).  Once everything is done I am good to go for my health certificate so I can get my student visa for the island.

As for now, I am buying items that I need to bring to the island so I don’t have one huge bill before I leave.  I figure if I space my purchases out over time they won’t seem as much.