tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137100002024-02-28T12:35:52.087-05:00Curb Cuts and CocktailsAdventures of an Accidental AdvocatePrincess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-43806560022024006912021-10-25T00:29:00.001-04:002021-10-25T00:29:11.639-04:00Farewell to the Old Me...<p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Today, I went down to the American Public Health Association conference, which was my first “in-person” conference experience since the Pandemic. It was my first time actually even attending this particular conference because it tends to be $$$, and I was never “researchy” enough as a grad student.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It was also my first time attending a huge public health event, not just as “me,” but as an official staff member of the organization I had always dreamed of working for. That shaped me as a public health professional.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>With this, and the general state of the world, and events as of late, for some reason, when I headed down the hill, and saw the Denver skyline, and the crystal blue sky, I got an unanticipated lump in my throat. It was like every moment in Denver until now had disappeared. I literally said out loud, “Its like we’re starting over.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I wasn’t planning on going to the event in person today, but my colleague was facilitating a Youth Town Hall, and I found out (of course…) it was being held at 6 p.m. on a Sunday night, and was NOT being offered virtually. Par for the course, but this meant it was even more important for me to be there. Having worked for over a decade, to make sure youth voices were at the table, even if that table was mostly empty because everyone had already clocked out to drink wine and check their email. I was going to show up.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So I did. It was weird, and overwhelming, and sure as shit that room was half empty when those young people told us their stories and how to be better at valuing lived experience and honoring our emerging leaders as peers. As I sat there, I reflected. Early on in my MCH career I used to watch presentations and feel frustrated because I knew I could GIVE these talks, I had my MPH and would still have “Youth Leader” on my name tag at meetings.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tonight though, I was listening to an incredible group of young professionals saying exactly what I had said for decades. I felt relief. It had stuck. They talked about the experiences they had in Colorado, how accepted they felt being a part of the AMCHP youth advisory board, which didn’t exist when I started my MCH journey.<br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I relaxed in my old lady cardigan and thanked them for sharing their experience, and asked “how can we do better, as national organizations to truly integrate youth voice into these settings, and as part of the public health conversation, NOT just as panels, and “inspirational speakers, but as an integral part of systems change.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And I stopped talking. And I listened. And guess what? After 15 years, being the expert. I learned. It’s time to close our e-mails and stop acting like we, as “fancy public health professionals” are too busy to hear from those with lived experience. I stayed for the whole session, and was still home on my laptop with a glass of wine by 9.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Can you imagine if the whole conference audience had heard what they had to say? Maybe they would start writing it into their state budget for youth to attend conferences. Maybe they would create a mentorship program for their emerging public health professionals. Maybe we would not have to be the “only youth here, who felt completely alone and disempowered.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then I scooted home. It was my first time being downtown at night, in almost two years, coming home from anywhere. It was eerie, and sad. When I turned onto the 16th street mall, I looked up and realized I was exactly where I was supposed to be.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Walking in front of me was a young couple. The girl had a black hoodie with the hood up, and a denim jacket.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Handwritten on the back, in bold sharpie were the words, “R.I.P. my former self.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I never saw her face. I didn’t have to.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I continued up the hill, past our old offices, past our favorite places, boarded up, the memories trapped inside… and went home. To our new home, our little family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This new life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUEc150n7ZLZ28dfGc7j1rxdea6QoyZ9jsqYcbb8T49mfOGeKkiPe7n1FgLt7VN9bJk8MtKUVZQwDydordZhW_Bxgg_1ldkBCznhs4vsceISqa6y99XUxA6YtdsWuweDx7o8FqQ/s602/amchp+2009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="602" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUEc150n7ZLZ28dfGc7j1rxdea6QoyZ9jsqYcbb8T49mfOGeKkiPe7n1FgLt7VN9bJk8MtKUVZQwDydordZhW_Bxgg_1ldkBCznhs4vsceISqa6y99XUxA6YtdsWuweDx7o8FqQ/w406-h364/amchp+2009.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2MYsP4jL4jXVA28ZuRt-vMZDqAGSEwQOK-GnV6huhdc43B1wgFmUtIpk7oMMTw5JzsJ2af_6BVOzppuPB88cG0FtkU5LBq6SFwqxB2J-nbbodLjtZj81N9TLakVdTGqzaQATAw/s960/Mal+21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2MYsP4jL4jXVA28ZuRt-vMZDqAGSEwQOK-GnV6huhdc43B1wgFmUtIpk7oMMTw5JzsJ2af_6BVOzppuPB88cG0FtkU5LBq6SFwqxB2J-nbbodLjtZj81N9TLakVdTGqzaQATAw/w300-h400/Mal+21.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbfPJPQHE_pyozFkn6TxA0JxdOZWPH5oMlEmK4ycOaGbd200nmSxC4tb-Ww_Y8oZ-lsMEPV7vuJEmT4feljp9i0_SkVnfCH9VFDEycpPFgZWzLXw92CYrOsZ-JUGVz3-pG3Rt1w/s2016/Denver+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbfPJPQHE_pyozFkn6TxA0JxdOZWPH5oMlEmK4ycOaGbd200nmSxC4tb-Ww_Y8oZ-lsMEPV7vuJEmT4feljp9i0_SkVnfCH9VFDEycpPFgZWzLXw92CYrOsZ-JUGVz3-pG3Rt1w/s2016/Denver+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbfPJPQHE_pyozFkn6TxA0JxdOZWPH5oMlEmK4ycOaGbd200nmSxC4tb-Ww_Y8oZ-lsMEPV7vuJEmT4feljp9i0_SkVnfCH9VFDEycpPFgZWzLXw92CYrOsZ-JUGVz3-pG3Rt1w/w300-h400/Denver+.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span><p></p>Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-32498223013836177122019-12-31T18:57:00.004-05:002019-12-31T19:14:11.546-05:00Peace Out 2019... It sure has been...<br /><br />How is tomorrow already 2020? Seriously, where did this year go? It’s strange how time passes, and it felt boring and busy all at the same time. One thing I will say about social media, is it’s a good way to archive and go back and say, “Wow, we did some cool stuff!” Of course 2018 was hard to beat, since it was the wedding! It was the season finale everyone was waiting for. So what does that leave for 2019? It was a year of learning, finding out what we want, what we don’t want, and how to get there. What’s crazy is that by my standards, it was a pretty quiet year, but we did A LOT. Here are some of the highlights as we look forward to the new decade!<br /><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We took a honeymoon! </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small; white-space: normal;">We went back to our old stomping/wheeling grounds of Vegas, and spent some real time off together, remembering how to have fun, and why we fell in love in the first place. We even hired an amazing photographer to capture some fun shots from where it all began.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnB6GYvaOrjsMrU1MAr3SUsexZBxcG4OLFVthrbNbrHYcqZB4LcmssqlBSiuQofDPP-ccXNE0Vfhz3Ywi9Ytu18V3-zubrELaLKndZwErPBFQVQtz70HLej13pHhb3sgfGpHkHA/s1600/Vegas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnB6GYvaOrjsMrU1MAr3SUsexZBxcG4OLFVthrbNbrHYcqZB4LcmssqlBSiuQofDPP-ccXNE0Vfhz3Ywi9Ytu18V3-zubrELaLKndZwErPBFQVQtz70HLej13pHhb3sgfGpHkHA/s400/Vegas+2.jpg" width="265" /></a>
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2. Business was booming! Seriously, I made more as a consultant than I have in my entire career. It’s funny, because every year I say to myself, it’s time to phase this out. I have a day job, I’m not a “youth” anymore, it’s time to give up this gig. Every time I say that, I get asked to do another contract, or keynote speech, and I do it, and remember how much I love it. With this, has come a lot of soul searching. I have started to learn my worth, and be more selective about how I spend my time. I am no longer in the stage where I need to “build my resume.” Things need to either fulfill me spiritually, or financially, and if they don’t, that’s ok. It’s amazing to be at a place in your career at which you are able to say “No thank you, this opportunity is not a good fit for me right now!” But the ones that do, are fantastic. The biggest professional highlight this year was being selected to give a keynote speech at the Tennessee Youth Transition Conference. Everyone was so hospitable, and it was fantastic to get to know some really ambitious youth who once again, gave me hope that maybe there is some good left in the world. If you’re interested in learning more about my “side gig” check out <a href="https://mallorycyr.weebly.com/">MalloryCyr.com</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm0BkH-hGutyj3_ILp9qEfSWfAICg4S6hbOwN5SNF2RBp1wRGg6hWo1tnXXeGq35S9oKscsyE9tbyGKYQMWAinmKWHHnYJV6OVSksUo_QQ-RKQH4Dyl6fp9mE9XcIwOeWcD_tfA/s1600/Tennessee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="Mallory speaking at a conference" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm0BkH-hGutyj3_ILp9qEfSWfAICg4S6hbOwN5SNF2RBp1wRGg6hWo1tnXXeGq35S9oKscsyE9tbyGKYQMWAinmKWHHnYJV6OVSksUo_QQ-RKQH4Dyl6fp9mE9XcIwOeWcD_tfA/s400/Tennessee.jpg" title="" width="298" /></a><br />
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<br /><br />3. We saw some shoooows! I saw Hanson again, around Christmas which obviously made my 90’s heart grow three sizes that day, and we FINALLY saw Wicked together. We had opportunities to see it before, but for some reason I wasn’t “ready.” Wicked is something that had been such a part of my past, for better and for worse, and although Owen had been there for some of the worst things we had both experienced, I wasn’t sure I was ready to “go there.” Well, before we got married, we saw RENT, Les Miserables, Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton…. it was not like he had not seen me get emotional at a show. Actually, I try to get different seats now so the poor ushers at DCPA don’t have to witness my routine musical meltdowns so frequently. So we saw Wicked. We got tickets for the Friday before my birthday, and the week we went to Vegas, and it was perfect. Since this was only the second time I had seen it (and the last time was in 2004, and I didn’t have my glasses), it was kind of like seeing it for the first time, and it was still amazing and relevant, and magical. Then we went to another event at the Hard Rock Cafe to see the cast perform in a cabaret style show, and the wizard himself said he was so glad I was there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: start;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5gqA_S_Xlzwv_rgep0r-7cOMpqh3XswuhdKdYt9jKffLIwpKl0wbw6mdGtAIFWFXpLxuzVNolY1vrDB3vsEA1QuVKF6a_vBFnPC-M1E-JdEz4GFGVHeuIkKolgD9OxOENhSqZw/s1600/Hanson+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5gqA_S_Xlzwv_rgep0r-7cOMpqh3XswuhdKdYt9jKffLIwpKl0wbw6mdGtAIFWFXpLxuzVNolY1vrDB3vsEA1QuVKF6a_vBFnPC-M1E-JdEz4GFGVHeuIkKolgD9OxOENhSqZw/s400/Hanson+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GEyit4hxYcxu7pC0iVZCaKe35dY4o7pdXxoIlRcASmKBBZSkgeLEjOBTzKJeuObwdP8EyBwVcEWxMbZZTwuyzoVqugD2u_lNFAQQD0wcwuhAI3S2aq7TWlGPo_ZyTEyCunw0lw/s1600/Hanson+2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GEyit4hxYcxu7pC0iVZCaKe35dY4o7pdXxoIlRcASmKBBZSkgeLEjOBTzKJeuObwdP8EyBwVcEWxMbZZTwuyzoVqugD2u_lNFAQQD0wcwuhAI3S2aq7TWlGPo_ZyTEyCunw0lw/s400/Hanson+2.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><br />4. We also got to see Kristin again, for the first time in Denver, along with my dear friend of 21 years Mary-Mitchell Campbell, who is now Kristin’s musical director/piano player. Many people may not know, but the three of us first met in 1998 at a camp fundraiser! I told Kristin after seeing her perform with the Colorado symphony, “You know, you have always been good, but you are AMAZING. It has been such a journey watching you grow professionally and vocally over the last 18 years.” And she got all choked up and teary, like she does, every time we see each other, and said “That is so meaningful coming from you, it really means so much.” Then we hugged and took pictures of our shoes together, because this is my life. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3SdGt4pmQpewH44SY9kvzXGFtjiqbzMD5OERvlzNNvd11hYxsIl3CTbNbj71xaTX3SWDTGEL2JA-lVgFg3A0rLt6CaMGez5wHIWBEgBytQLf71p3TWDq32nS8o0K7eAd15fuDA/s1600/Kristin.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3SdGt4pmQpewH44SY9kvzXGFtjiqbzMD5OERvlzNNvd11hYxsIl3CTbNbj71xaTX3SWDTGEL2JA-lVgFg3A0rLt6CaMGez5wHIWBEgBytQLf71p3TWDq32nS8o0K7eAd15fuDA/s400/Kristin.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9MaExDtd7xF9DKw4R-OoVSanZqXiekpT32XQ54-QZfg1OJJEEuY_na6OeGik5WrTqnUmX1XNPehD1ydApzxhsjwKJBxqUbtWhXFtHvQcy9fo1KVBFrttbidaiqzrzKGd3_Vo1w/s1600/Shoes+.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9MaExDtd7xF9DKw4R-OoVSanZqXiekpT32XQ54-QZfg1OJJEEuY_na6OeGik5WrTqnUmX1XNPehD1ydApzxhsjwKJBxqUbtWhXFtHvQcy9fo1KVBFrttbidaiqzrzKGd3_Vo1w/s400/Shoes+.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><br />5. We started exercising regularly. In April, our neighbors opened a class based fitness studio and offer a ton of amazing classes, with instructors that aren’t there to scare you or make you feel like you’re not good enough. They help us adapt things, and push us to do what they know we are capable of. I have felt myself grow stronger and have learned how much my body actually NEEDS physical activity (the wine after yoga doesn’t hurt either). Shout out to <a href="https://www.carbonfitnessdenver.com/" target="_blank">Carbon Fitness! </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVpt8JTi9jLommDrEZlzM3BZX5aFVWjXi_qTqWR-30BQhQyNJ7J79vVe1O8ppuM_NX8PxoSwvy1TU_lf61PDlrDqbdSH3nNZ2wStmG9ooqIOZhBcZNoMuq9HIqA4wB0Qo2yGhpg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-12-31+at+4.50.15+PM.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVpt8JTi9jLommDrEZlzM3BZX5aFVWjXi_qTqWR-30BQhQyNJ7J79vVe1O8ppuM_NX8PxoSwvy1TU_lf61PDlrDqbdSH3nNZ2wStmG9ooqIOZhBcZNoMuq9HIqA4wB0Qo2yGhpg/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-12-31+at+4.50.15+PM.png" /></a> <br /><br />6. We spent time with family. My family came to visit over Labor Day weekend, and man did we make the most of it! Then in the fall, I took some time to go to Maine by myself for the first time since Owen and I lived in Boston. For all those folks who are married, or looking at getting married, or even those who live with a significant other, it’s ok to do things by yourself. Financially, and in terms of time off, it doesn’t always make sense for both of us to go on a trip, sometimes I travel alone for work. None of this means that we love each other less, or that there is anything wrong with our relationship. It’s crucial to remember who you are as a “me,” when you are not being an “US!” <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf47AyxTnJzbqGM92F_x3Pphs-BAYwrQR2Zg4a4APKb_nOB45SfytjURFXkobKwRPAI5kvNKMgcWU7FFnxgr2FrGCZO6UAjLwyXm2RmTYaGM4ENEeW4u90wttHJGLCWyDgQ7jlkQ/s1600/Mom+girls+.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf47AyxTnJzbqGM92F_x3Pphs-BAYwrQR2Zg4a4APKb_nOB45SfytjURFXkobKwRPAI5kvNKMgcWU7FFnxgr2FrGCZO6UAjLwyXm2RmTYaGM4ENEeW4u90wttHJGLCWyDgQ7jlkQ/s320/Mom+girls+.jpg" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtguiZwkyd5XwhyNZvEIDhWjhHWGh_JDh17Agwxifti8WTI5VFF43RZOu5KsEXGjXfCwHIPceEmUXyo1_hXG4LShbZmiAL5s6rta8rd6Kt820FYHyHZEtEAAzRWxdu1zgm4yWbw/s1600/Drag+brunch.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtguiZwkyd5XwhyNZvEIDhWjhHWGh_JDh17Agwxifti8WTI5VFF43RZOu5KsEXGjXfCwHIPceEmUXyo1_hXG4LShbZmiAL5s6rta8rd6Kt820FYHyHZEtEAAzRWxdu1zgm4yWbw/s400/Drag+brunch.jpg" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwIVkze659XpFGEA1aIlsgwGmvTKioE9qo2dmhr-WcLn3Sb13jZYq18zymJPKezaW9GMvlReRYJTUBlZaJMNYo0Jd_iqJLY0AOI9AP8M-UNJozYn1kqx3mI3Mdxc1R76wHtQFaw/s1600/Cyr+family.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwIVkze659XpFGEA1aIlsgwGmvTKioE9qo2dmhr-WcLn3Sb13jZYq18zymJPKezaW9GMvlReRYJTUBlZaJMNYo0Jd_iqJLY0AOI9AP8M-UNJozYn1kqx3mI3Mdxc1R76wHtQFaw/s400/Cyr+family.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><br />7. Owen and I won Halloween with our second ever couple's costume and went to parties until we finally won a costume contest. Elton John and Tiny Dancer? How could we not win! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1K9v1Z31Lhr3ownxzZUk_Zo3KfBCZRrB_xrnqiAy4XJ42u-55R_paes5V2zhvlBEYyKX77LbRsiZWx7MYAyLkznlEMlDKOyUMkDJhGgoy2cKl9ZxFf7tsghI-2qv5g2SlpYi-g/s1600/Halloween.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1K9v1Z31Lhr3ownxzZUk_Zo3KfBCZRrB_xrnqiAy4XJ42u-55R_paes5V2zhvlBEYyKX77LbRsiZWx7MYAyLkznlEMlDKOyUMkDJhGgoy2cKl9ZxFf7tsghI-2qv5g2SlpYi-g/s400/Halloween.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><br />8. WE MOVED! Finally, after four years of living in an apartment complex that we never wanted to live in, we were in a financial situation where we could actually move somewhere that felt like a “grown up” home. As many of you know, we were very spoiled in Boston, as we had a studio in a brand new luxury building, which was financed on student loans, because we needed accessible housing. It also set us up for big, big disappointment when we tried to find an apartment we could actually afford. The rental market in Denver was/is far better than Boston, but since we were moving here with employment pending, it was difficult to get approved for anything, so we took what we could get, moved from a studio to a one bedroom and saved up to get back where we wanted to be! Finally, after years of advocacy and a fair housing case, having an accessible apartment, being treated with respect, and having a home I am proud to have people over, even though the move itself was exhausting, I can finally sit back and say WE DID IT. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfodfHbF9R2wif3xJmHASHjLthCuIRq07-YfuRH6ZiVss0t2KFHQgWsjvVhis4QGUIzsXy5qhv0EGGKMa2hCPeyNgwSUXZmVYy9b_Zv_V8SJCewZCed73ptZZ81WOj9RdHkjHQA/s1600/Apartmnt+1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfodfHbF9R2wif3xJmHASHjLthCuIRq07-YfuRH6ZiVss0t2KFHQgWsjvVhis4QGUIzsXy5qhv0EGGKMa2hCPeyNgwSUXZmVYy9b_Zv_V8SJCewZCed73ptZZ81WOj9RdHkjHQA/s400/Apartmnt+1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <br /> 9. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/UptownTinsley/">TINSLEY MARIE</a>! Even though we got Tinsley in 2018, this year we have watched her grow and shine, and it has been the greatest joy. She has truly found herself, and especially since moving to our new apartment, she is just loved by everyone who crosses her path (except squirrels). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GRdPks9XW1wSqx8_AU1iYnEUbRrplMsyGvlGl-oeFJ91VeZ2DjU5mOwy3UH_dXxk2iNTadhkJ5eFIYNMWA6Lne2NrSGLUv5y8ckjaP02hT31tMdpCv4WGI-omFzdJz3B-buDtA/s1600/Tinsley+Christmas.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GRdPks9XW1wSqx8_AU1iYnEUbRrplMsyGvlGl-oeFJ91VeZ2DjU5mOwy3UH_dXxk2iNTadhkJ5eFIYNMWA6Lne2NrSGLUv5y8ckjaP02hT31tMdpCv4WGI-omFzdJz3B-buDtA/s400/Tinsley+Christmas.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqf5EZTm5shIFMeTx9i64z6gCrwxFccFA4vcADR2ifZ3uO5eKOGHrsFUGeV9U6YkRiyjPpyvXKB_S4_DvPEx9HD3Fc9Ijjwe6Zv5rW81PO6rV18T8GiaBKSfpCv_N0BBIjSbpPQ/s1600/owen+tinsley.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqf5EZTm5shIFMeTx9i64z6gCrwxFccFA4vcADR2ifZ3uO5eKOGHrsFUGeV9U6YkRiyjPpyvXKB_S4_DvPEx9HD3Fc9Ijjwe6Zv5rW81PO6rV18T8GiaBKSfpCv_N0BBIjSbpPQ/s400/owen+tinsley.jpg" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tUiUZUmywl6hertwS1Mb7N1x_cl5pWW4GBG99eH2mvKYXL25zKhkIqv3BqsEn6JdXn6oY1-MxtDpubLvXr3W8rP0whzBu7LgzPUHDmXCLYpDQidgY7RYEMse5mniZH6Li7fjhw/s1600/Tinsley+eyes.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tUiUZUmywl6hertwS1Mb7N1x_cl5pWW4GBG99eH2mvKYXL25zKhkIqv3BqsEn6JdXn6oY1-MxtDpubLvXr3W8rP0whzBu7LgzPUHDmXCLYpDQidgY7RYEMse5mniZH6Li7fjhw/s400/Tinsley+eyes.jpg" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnHxei4Z-j9YF5fcUJ0uuTkmOONcCPnqb7v49WDfmBDcWXd_Y47uYqtmc6-L36jowYK5_3G0bJ1pLjFLaXfAzed5Jv4kiv3hWU_aAZ034WvKshFYPl6Qg7LlrVYCLdIeOO-hV5g/s1600/Maisy+tinsley.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnHxei4Z-j9YF5fcUJ0uuTkmOONcCPnqb7v49WDfmBDcWXd_Y47uYqtmc6-L36jowYK5_3G0bJ1pLjFLaXfAzed5Jv4kiv3hWU_aAZ034WvKshFYPl6Qg7LlrVYCLdIeOO-hV5g/s400/Maisy+tinsley.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br /><br /><br />10. The end of 2019 was spent doing a lot of reflection. In the fall, I applied for a job, that I am totally qualified for, and I interviewed well, and I didn’t get it. Someone else did, who was pretty much personally selected before they began the hiring process. This happens a lot in my field, so I wasn’t totally shocked, but it did open my eyes to a lot of things. It showed me, first of all, that I didn’t actually need the job. There were things about it I wasn’t in love with, and it would have been a new commute, new people, new friends… things I actually didn’t WANT to figure out, especially around the same time that I was moving. </ol>
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<ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;"> This year also taught me a lot about community, and what that REALLY means. There are communities I have accepted I am not a part of. AND THAT IS OK. Because I have other communities I AM A PART OF. And they are amazing. I have friends that make me laugh until I cry eating lunch at work. I have friends that have left work to bring me to the hospital when I didn’t know what was wrong. I have friends that have brought me to the airport at 4 a.m. I have so many friends that I can talk about anything with, serious or silly. We have people we look forward to seeing in our neighborhood, who know us and our dog. WE HAVE A COMMUNITY. <br /><br />Now I’m going to get real for a minute. This whole disability thing was never a part of my identity, or my narrative until someone told me it had to be. It made me question who I was and what I knew. There were times in my career it has played a bigger role than others, and I will never say I’m NOT an advocate, but I’m more than that. <br /><br />I have a master’s degree, I am a writer, a speaker and a policy professional. I have reached a point professionally, at which, just like saying no, I can decide who I am. I was hired in my current job for my experience with contract management, communications, and understanding of policy. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yes, my lived experience helps me have perspective in everything I do, but it’s a part of it. I’m done trying to get into clubs that don’t want me. I’m done being someone I’m not because people expect it of me. I’m done being a one dimensional token. Thank you 2019, for all you taught me, for all the growing you made us do. I’m ready to step into the new year, the new decade, being me. Being more authentic than I have been in a long time. I’m ready.</b></div>
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<b>Now here's a song to take with you to 2020!</b></div>
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<br />Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-38999059331089913052019-10-01T09:28:00.001-04:002019-10-01T09:28:11.316-04:00So you want to say "Yes to the Dress!"<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Unlike most brides who begin planning a wedding, dress shopping was probably what I was least looking forward to. I spent more time scouring photos of styles that might actually work for my body (3’ 9”, a central line I would have to creatively tuck into whatever neckline I chose…) than those I actually liked. My biggest fear was that I would have my family fly in, we would devote a day to shopping and all leave defeated and disappointed. Well, i am here to tell you that is NOT what happened, and dress shopping was easily one of my favorite memories of the entire wedding planning process! I thought I would pull together some of my Dos and Don’ts so that all my tiny brides, or differently shaped brides can have a positive experience on your big day (or maybe just make it suck a little less!)</span><br />
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<b>DO your research! </b>A few places I found on Yelp were NOT wheelchair accessible. Regardless of the fact that myself and some of my wedding party required accessibility, I struggle to give my business to places that are accessible to all. I had a list of places I wanted to go when the day came. Come to find out, we only needed one! We went to <a href="http://www.luvbridal.com/denver-co/" target="_blank">Luv Bridal </a>in Denver, and they were fantastic from beginning to end. You can read <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/luv-bridal-denver" target="_blank">my full review here</a>.</div>
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<b>DON’T bring a ton of people. </b>No really. I invited my mom, my sister (Maid of Honor) and one of my bridesmaids who was local and it was perfect!. I did not ask people to fly in, or invite the entire bridal party. Let me let you in on one of the biggest wedding planning secrets you’ll need. When you invite people… you also invite their opinions. This place happened to have a limit of how many people could join you, but I just advise bringing people who know YOU and that YOU want to share the moment with. If that’s everyone, great, but you can also meet up with your crew for bottomless brunch after and let them be surprised just like everyone else!</div>
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<b>DO advocate. </b>Ugh. So annoying right? I’m the bride, everyone should KNOW what I need! When you have a disability, you are no stranger to advocacy. Well guess what? You don’t get to put that away when you’re planning a wedding. I took a few minutes to call the bridal salon I had an appointment with and explain that I was not of average height, and what they were working with. I did NOT do this to ask permission to shop there, or create any sort of pity party. I wanted them to be aware so they could make informed choices when choosing dresses and make the most of my time AND theirs! They were so wonderful, and acted like this was business as usual for them!</div>
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<b>DON’T pop bottles. </b> I know… I know…. how can I possibly be giving this advice? I imagined my dress shopping experience to be welcomed with glasses of champagne because, duh… wedding. But it was BYOB, and we didn’t, and I am GLAD! Have you ever decided to have just “a couple glasses of wine” and ordered some weird stuff from Amazon? You want to be in your BEST state of mind. Also, for my ladies with disabilities, standing on that round circle in dresses that don’t fit, you don’t need anything else impairing your balance! Trust me, there will be PLENTY of champs in your future!</div>
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<b>DO stick to your budget!</b></div>
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I was terrified to buy a dress. I know people spend four times our wedding budget on dresses and I was afraid to even try one on! I was transparent about our budget from the beginning and guess what? My dress was UNDER our budget! It all worked out. And if it hadn’t? I probably would have kept looking. I know this is a big day folks, but my wedding motto was also “it’s ONE DAY!” You have to pay rent after the wedding! Stick to your guns! I also shopped around for alterations and found an amazing deal going through a local seamstress vs. what the salon wanted to charge me! Yelp is your friend!</div>
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<b>DON’T limit yourself to your comfort zone.<span style="color: red;"> </span></b>I went in thinking I knew exactly what I wanted based on what had always worked for me, and what wouldn’t work, but guess what? I tried on a mermaid fit, and guess what? It looked amazing!! It wasn’t what I wanted for the day, but I was shocked to see that something I never thought would work for me kind of did! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZZSah2m7FCslmTVrJGFd1Nu4_PrsL5r3avOwxcEhGMKVbWiLDm5_JvgkzTqNAt6BBIBnBXk75aSAX62oCTq8WVb0_vCm7WxwLgCd-WFBUawdhpIwWJNPI0nflH087m6Xp5jrKw/s1600/mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZZSah2m7FCslmTVrJGFd1Nu4_PrsL5r3avOwxcEhGMKVbWiLDm5_JvgkzTqNAt6BBIBnBXk75aSAX62oCTq8WVb0_vCm7WxwLgCd-WFBUawdhpIwWJNPI0nflH087m6Xp5jrKw/s640/mermaid.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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<b>DO be HONEST. </b> This is your day and your body, and your emotions. I told my consultant at the very beginning that I was feeling nervous, and dress shopping was not always a positive experience for me. I was NOT looking forward to this day. Because of this, she was always checking in and making sure I was having a good time. If there is a dress you don’t love, SAY IT! You’re the customer! What don’t you like about it? Be specific, so your team can help find what you love!</div>
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<b>DO try a veil. </b>I was CONVINCED I was not going to have a veil, but you see people on these wedding shows put on a veil, and get “all jacked up” and then everyone cries? THAT IS REAL! My consultant found me a veil, and I put it on, and shoot! I was a bride. I definitely took it off for the reception, but it added that touch of glamour I just never imagined. Even if you just try one one….trust me, your mom wants you to. </div>
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<b>DO let your consultant do their job.</b> Seriously. It’s great to have ideas and Pinterest photos, but this girl knew what she was doing. My dress was the last dress she pulled and when I came out of the dressing room, the whole salon gasped and went “THAT ONE.” Now here’s the thing, when I found the stock photo of my dress on the model, I NEVER would have even pinned it. It was nothing like what I had on my “Let’s Get Married” wedding board, but it fit me like a dream. Not only did it fit me, but I could move in it! I could go to the bathroom by myself, and DANCE! It was MY DRESS. </div>
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<b>DO enjoy every moment!</b> After my day with my “Bride Tribe” I went back to pay off my dress, and pick up my accessories, and I went by myself. My consultant brought me different tiaras and took photos, and that was when I felt it. My mom cried as soon as I put on the first dress I tried, but I’m a tougher crowd. Here I was, buying a wedding dress. This was happening! It my first “bridal” moment.” And I just let myself have it. </div>
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Of course everyone’s day will be different, and it may not be that simple. Maybe you do want to go more than one place (frankly I was sad we only had to go to one store because it was so much fun) but just remember, at the end of the day, whether it’s mermaid, or a ballgown, or a pantsuit whatever make YOU feel beautiful on your big day will be the right choice! </div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-47218248616623236192019-01-27T11:41:00.000-05:002019-01-27T11:41:53.682-05:00The Art of EligibilityThis post is a bit of a throwback, but it feels relevant with some of the work I'm involved in right now. Before I moved to Boston, I lived on my own for a bit (with a roommate), and during that time, I went through my first "eligibility assessment," to continue to receive Medicaid services, and the minimal nursing help I had with my medical tasks.<br />
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It was an odd, exhausting process, and it led me to write this. I realized it never was published anywhere, but my mom blogger friend <a href="http://familysynapse.com/meet-mallory/" target="_blank">posted it in her blog</a>.<br />
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Recently, I've been supporting in some state level efforts to actually make this process more person centered, so while it has taken some time, I like to think perhaps we are getting there. I have shared this with many of my co-workers as a way to show them the other side of the assessment, that it is emotional, taxing, and more than just a tool. It's a lot of mixed feelings sometimes, bringing so many perspectives to the table, whether I choose to or not.<br />
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“Are you able to get on and off the toilet by yourself? Any trouble urinating, or with your bowels? Do you wear pads or anything, or just for your menses?”</div>
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These are just some of the invasive questions that pop up during an “eligibility assessment” while trying to get healthcare services as a young adult with “special healthcare needs.”</div>
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On a typical morning, I wake up, head into the kitchen where I hit the buttons on my Keurig one cup coffee brewer with my eyes half open and settle in front of my Macbook to pour over emails and celebrity gossip until I can see straight. Usually this is followed by a shower, and all together an hour or so of blow drying, hair straightening, eye lining, lip-glossing, and perfume spritzing. But not today. Today I’m playing a part. Sort of.</div>
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<br />In my life, my illness is not at the forefront. My LIFE is. I power on day-to-day, working to change the healthcare system for others in similar situations. I network, I spend time with my family, I get coffee with my friends, I rot my brain with reality TV, I do things every other 25 year old does. Then at the end of the day before heading to bed, I happen to get hooked up to an IV for 12 hours when I sleep. No big deal. Another day in the life.</div>
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<br />But when it comes time to prove eligibility it’s ABOUT being sick- not able to be independent or successful. It’s not about proving how hard you have worked to achieve a level of good health and independence. It’s playing a game, to see if you “win” the services you need to ultimately be independent… and alive.</div>
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My phone rings, and the “assessor” tells me she has found my apartment. When I hang up, I throw my coffee mug in the sink, and stash my pink jewel encrusted iPhone under the pillow on the couch. As someone who meets the “income requirements,” I certainly shouldn’t have things like an iPhone. Ditto for my Macbook, which I quickly put to sleep and close off to the side so it won’t draw attention.</div>
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Today there is no eyeliner, no mascara, and no lip gloss. I haven’t showered, my hair surely is not perfected, and I’m wearing the same tank top and shorts I slept in.</div>
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<br />I open the door for her, and my first thought is offering her something to drink (as any good hostess would) but I hesitate. Is that the right move in “the game?” If I can get her a glass of iced tea, then surely I can get some for myself… which means I can probably cook my own meals… which would probably deduct points in however the scoring of this sick game works. I don’t offer her anything.</div>
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We sit down at the kitchen table, and I wait for her to initiate conversation. I direct her to a plug so she can plug in her laptop where she will undoubtedly be recording all of my answers. I feel like I’m on a very unrewarding game show. I sit quietly, secretly hoping that some of yesterday’s mascara has successfully created dark circles under my eyes to make me look more like someone with “a condition.”</div>
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Finally we start talking. I keep my answers short and simple, only emphasizing the negative- like how hard it is for me to go up and down stairs, that of course I am able to shower by myself, but not forgetting to mention the complex dressing change that must be done after.</div>
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I know the script by now, and after awhile I just start to go with the flow, and even make light of it, in my own head, thinking of how I could joke that the only assistance I need while grooming is the occasional wax or highlights I just can’t seem to perfect myself.</div>
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<br />I continue to choose my words carefully however, and avoid sounding too articulate.</div>
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“Do you have all your own teeth? Are you missing any?”<br />I raise an eyebrow, and answer “Yes. No….”</div>
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<br />“That’s wonderful!” She says, as if having all of one’s teeth is an oddity, but considering the region, and that the assessment is done by “elderly services,” I suppose maybe it is.</div>
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<br />I start to follow it up with “Actually, I just whitened them last night, and they are fabulously straight since I just got my braces off in November…. Which I paid for myself, and are completely paid off!” They absolutely do not want to hear that. I actually bite my lip so she can’t see how good they look.</div>
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“Have you had to see a foot doctor at all? Can I look at your feet?”</div>
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<br />“Um… no, and sure.” I swiftly cross my ankles, hiding the one foot that is emblazoned with a tattoo, and point my toe of the other foot at her. My self applied turquoise nail polish glitters.</div>
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“Oh, you have little nail polish on it, and your hands too!” I immediately regret the touch up I did the night before, then get over it. It’s exhausting trying not to be yourself. Can’t catch it all.</div>
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The questions continue, and she begins explaining to me that my current insurance company cannot be billed retroactively, and I will have to fill out yet another application and apply for another program to prove I’m eligible for services I have already been receiving.</div>
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My brain starts buzzing, and the words on the application become a blur. “Wait… what?” I ask, striving for clarification.</div>
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“Do you want the number for the Department of Health & Human Services? I have the number for all of them!” She offers, as though telling me I just won the Powerball so none of this even matters.</div>
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“I have all the numbers.” I shrug. “I just am trying to understand what I need to do.”</div>
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<br />We spend about twenty more minutes of me trying to clarify what I am asking, and her trying to answer. She then promises me she will relay the information to all the parties who need to be notified since once again, I’m not even sure I get it, but in a last ditch effort to not spend my entire day unshowered, sitting with this stranger in my house, I tell her I do.</div>
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Finally she prints another sheet of paper and with her arms raised says <b>“Well! Of course you qualify for a nursing home level of care! But I know you choose home! Home home home!”</b></div>
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I cock my head to the side wondering if she really just said that sentence as if it were some deranged cheer they learn in “eligibility assessing school.” I try to keep my jaw from visibly dropping as I sign my name on a line under a checked box that said “I understand my options within this program and choose to stay in my own home to receive care.”</div>
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“Yea. I do.“ I said bluntly. It had been two hours and my act of playing nice was wearing off. Playing sick and tired I could do (since the tired part was not acting), but pretending this whole process isn’t the most unhinged, psychologically damaging thing I’ve ever seen…gets old. “And we’ve worked HARD for the past 25 years to see that this is the way it could be.”</div>
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She drops the cheerleader act and gathers her things, and wheels her laptop-carrying suitcase to her car. “I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.”</div>
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<br />“Thanks,” I replied. “Have a good day.” And I meant it. We were both back to just being human again. And I could take a shower.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
I close the door, and shake my head. Of course I choose home. I choose independence, grad school, work, and success… I choose having a LIFE. And I can only hope that some day, that is what the system is based on, being rewarded for being healthy and successful, instead of deprived of services that make it possible. </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Maybe someday.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0Denver, CO, USA39.7392358 -104.99025139.3486558 -105.635698 40.1298158 -104.344804tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-20809741549401304582018-06-20T23:23:00.003-04:002018-06-20T23:23:56.835-04:00Rare patient seeks doc.
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I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and I need to
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had a GI specialist since that one time in Boston <a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.blogspot.com/2014/09/we-need-to-talk-it-isnt-you-its-me.html" target="_blank">when I had to break up with </a>one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who are new here, I like
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I have to take an Uber, schedule a time that works for both of us, and pray it’s
a good fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much like men prior to the fiancé,
GI Specialists don’t really know what to do with me, and much like I was during
that time period, I don’t want to be fixed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m strong, I’m vocal, I do things my way and this works for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doctors (and most men) don’t know
how to handle this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And let me just Internet shout:</div>
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I DON’T NEED A CURE. I’M NOT LOOKING FOR A
CURE, AND I DON’T WANT TO TRY YOUR EXPERIMENTAL DRUG THAT IS GOING TO RUIN MY
QUALITY OF LIFE I HAVE WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So phew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now can we
just talk like people? I don’t want to pay for a bunch of expensive, invasive
tests because YOU’RE curious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, go
ahead and google me, I highly recommend it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nobody does, and sharing vulnerability makes us equal.</div>
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Don’t judge my choices, my life, or reprimand me for living
the way I choose- for swimming, for traveling, for enjoying a cocktail with
brunch. While you’re googling, look up “dignity of risk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Cause guess what? I’m living my life for me. You may be
super excited because I’m “rare” and maybe you can write a paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One for the books. I write too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have letters after my name even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So stop looking at your watch, and
listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon we can get the check, and I can get back
in my Uber.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then we’ll decide if we want to keep seeing each other.</div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-30125023712944572052018-05-17T20:55:00.000-04:002018-05-17T20:55:43.291-04:00#GlitterMask<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;">It’s definitely been awhile since I’ve dipped a toe in the beauty blogger pool, but with all of the wedding planning that's been going on (which is going to be my next post for sure!) I’ve been spoiling myself a little, hitting Sephora for the perfect lip color and treating my skin to a little extra TLC! I plan on only doing this bride thing once, so I’m playing that card as much as possible.</span><br />
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Which is EXACTLY why I justified the purchase of the new glitter mask by <a href="https://www.glamglow.com/" target="_blank">Glam Glow</a>! What better time to have magic unicorn princess skin than MY WEDDING! </div>
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Before I get started, I’ll let ya know, I have nothing to disclose. Nobody gave me this for free, and it’s not a sponsored post, but hey Glam Glow, if you’re interested, you know where to find me. </div>
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Let’s start with the product. It’s easily a cult classic and was created especially for incredible insta stories. The Glam Glow My Little Pony GravityGlow Glitter mask is <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/glittermask-gravitymud-firming-treatment-my-little-pony-P429511?skuId=2057503&keyword=glitter%20mask" target="_blank">available at Sephora</a> and is available in three colors/ ponies- </div>
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- <b>Princess Luna Black</b>—the powerful princess and beauty icon<br />- <b>Pinkie Pie Pink</b>—the socialite and life of the party<br />- <b>Twilight Sparkle Purple</b>—the lovable perfectionist </div>
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For those who know me, know this was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, because, I’m a multi-faceted Gemini and ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!! </div>
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After far too much pondering and analysis of my character traits in the aisles of Sephora, I selected Pinkie Pie, the socialite, and life of the party, because come the big day, that is what I’ll be channeling. </div>
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Let’s rip that band aid off quick. Yes, it’s $60. for 1.7 oz of pink glittery goop. Yep. Weddings do weird things to me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o1V71AiBUrYsNGDfjic4avBPx0E0pZZJ7KKImTmMouQzznQ1s-tl1xFQ8DniaJwOVjTqyNjmkQovRZFlmGdCd-8pRN29HGEnYJ1wlJvKXsyMtjq68llokWExPGy4B0cyHmUk8A/s1600/IMG_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o1V71AiBUrYsNGDfjic4avBPx0E0pZZJ7KKImTmMouQzznQ1s-tl1xFQ8DniaJwOVjTqyNjmkQovRZFlmGdCd-8pRN29HGEnYJ1wlJvKXsyMtjq68llokWExPGy4B0cyHmUk8A/s400/IMG_3205.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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But I know I’m marrying the right dude, because when I showed him my purchase, hidden in my tiny Sephora bag, he just looked at me, shrugged and said “I mean… I get it.” </div>
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The mask comes in a cute little tub, which is in a cute little box, and you guys, IT COMES WITH GLITTERY STICKERS. Some of them might be on my phone right now… so again. Totally justified.</div>
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The other really awesome thing, is it comes with a little spatula for applying the mask. I’ve actually used the spatula with other masks and I will never mask without my spatula again! I believe it’s made of silicone, and is easily washable with soap and water so you can sanitarily apply your mask each time. </div>
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The mask itself is a thick gel, but the glitter is chunky and embedded in the gel. I’ve found a few pieces here and there but it’s nothing like the fallout of a glitter eyeshadow or the glitter your teachers hated using for crafts! You know what I mean!</div>
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As for the application, I think I’m still getting the hang of it. the thicker you apply, the easier it is to peel off, but the longer it takes to dry. I tend to go heavier on my T Zone and then a little less around my face and places that touch my hairline. Basically, just SLATHER! Really do your best to avoid eyebrows… cause we all like having eyebrows right? Keep them suckers glitter free! </div>
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I basically spread a thick coat of glitter goo on my face, avoiding my hairline the best I can, and settle into my favorite Bravo binge. You can give this thing forever to dry. Seriously. I sat for about 30 + minutes this weekend, and there were still places that could have used more time. Relax. Snap. Post an Instastory. Use all the hashtags #Glamglow #Glittermask #GlitterandGlow. Enjoy the masking experience, for when you are finished, your face will glow as much as the sparkly gunk on your mug! </div>
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*1 episode of Vanderpump Rules later*</div>
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I will be honest, I have not found a lot of peel off masks I'm a fan of. I tend to have dry, somewhat sensitive skin, and most peel off masks remind me of liquid duct tape, and leave me feel angry at how long it take to peel off instead of the zen I am supposed to experience after an “at home facial.” </div>
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NOT THIS ONE. If I didn’t have a nose, I’m pretty sure I could get it off in one piece. If you let it dry all the way, literally, lift it up and gently peel. It is the most satisfying, mesmerizing experience! </div>
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The instructions say to cleanse your skin after, but I’ve splashed it with water, used a toner, and made sure I didn’t have any glittery remnants behind before applying a moisturizer, and my skin feels amaaaazing. And I think it looks good! Even my toughest beauty critics at work have mentioned they think the glitter mask is working! </div>
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So what's my arbitrary made up rating? </div>
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I give it 4 out of 5 pony stickers.</div>
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I wish I got more product for the price, and I wish it dried a little quicker. Otherwise… I’m already deciding what pony to get next.</div>
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I’m hooked. This may be my holy grail mask, and I’m sure it will be limited edition!</div>
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So with that, let me know, have you tried it? Loved it? Hate it?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Want more beauty product reviews from me? Tell me what’s up! </div>
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Love you all! Peace, love, and my little pony Glitter masks! </div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-52887402888855070552018-03-16T13:09:00.000-04:002018-03-16T13:09:12.811-04:00How do we do it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><i>I originally wrote this post on Valentine's Day, but since I've been experiencing a serious case of DBS (delayed blogging syndrome) I thought it made sense, to just post it on our 7th Meetiversary.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><i>--------------------</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Good morning everyone and Happy Valentine’s Day.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Or Galentine’s Day, or Singles Awareness
Day!</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">However you choose to celebrate,
I’m here for it!</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of the V-day.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Although in elementary school, I remember </span><i style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">agonizing</i><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> over which Hello
Kitty/Barbie/Little Mermaid valentine would go to who, so nobody would get the
wrong message.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then I was single and bitter for a good chunk of my life,
but never missed an opportunity to go out for pink drinks with my gal pals. And
now here we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve become that person
I never thought I would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Planning a
wedding, caring about flowers, and centerpieces, and loving every minute of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember when Owen and I first started
“dating,” (Disclaimer, I hate that word, because our “dates” consisted of Skype
calls and trips to Vegas… I think we had been together for over a year before
we saw a movie like normal people) telling my friends and family about him, and
everyone was like “Mallory… I think you really like him. I’ve never seen you
like this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My face would turn red and I
would smile, and just feel true happiness, it was WEIRD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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This month, our story was published in the newsletter for the
Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA) and we were asked to share how we met,
and our advice for a happy relationship, or for young people with disabilities
who are looking for love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shared the
abridged version <a href="http://www.kyea.org/malloryandowen">here</a>, and if
you recall, a few years back, I shared a more detailed version of the story of <a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-meetiversary.html">how
we met</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But having this opportunity, got us thinking,
that maybe I should just write an actual blog entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you know, we have a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OwenandMal/">“Fan page.”</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it was on our first Meetiversary, 1
year after we met, Owen had a status about meeting me, and over 100 people
liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised, honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yea, I had been single for a while, but man,
people were that excited to see me with someone, finally?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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People were following our story because it gave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them </i>hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It showed them
that just because they had a disability, they could have love, that they
DESERVED love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It showed parents of kids
with disabilities that their kid would find someone who loved, respected them
and gave them an experience that most “typically developing” adolescents
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we said “Heck! Why not?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Facebook “fanbase” has followed us
through a move to Boston, 110” of snow, a graduation, celebrating jobs, a move
to Colorado, an engagement, and now THE BIG DAY! And I’ll be honest, I didn’t
know that we would hit some of those milestones, but really, not because of
each other, it’s just been a real adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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When we were moving to Boston, it was the biggest, scariest
thing, either of us had ever done, and I remember people saying to me, “AND
you’re MOVING IN together!” like that was really the scariest, hardest part of
what we were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never mind the fact
I was going to be going to grad school while working, or we were learning to
navigate a city, and access healthcare. WE WERE GOING TO BE SHARING A
BATHROOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted our first studio was 500 sq. feet,
and it was quite a transition, but it was mind blowing to me how people
perceived relationships, and that moving in together was so scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We</span> are <i>so</i> grateful we lived
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were days (most) that it
was the other person that kept us going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wouldn’t have finished grad school if it weren’t for Owen telling me I was
needed there, and I was doing this for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gave me pep talks, reminded me to eat, and laughed with me
every step of the day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It wasn’t easy, but we learned, we grew, and we
conquered- one chapter after the next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are we as
successful and strong as we are?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we were brainstorming for KYEA it was tough to articulate what we have created
over the last 7 years, but I’m going to attempt to share our Top 5 tips for a
happy, healthy, relationship, and what made us know we wanted to go the
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ready? <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No
B.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before O and I made it official, I had hung
out with guys before, but it never went beyond being a “thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t want anything serious, and nobody
wanted to commit, bla bla bla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
straight up told Owen, “If we’re long distance, I’m not leaving this as a
“thing.” I don’t have time for petty bullshit and I don’t play games.” He had
me at “Me either.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was
none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t (and still don’t) post
passive aggressive digs on Facebook, we trust each other. I know that’s easy to
say, but really. TRUST. 100%<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Communication.
</b>This goes hand in hand with #1, and together, they make a healthy
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ta DA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even when I was younger, I remember all of my friends would come to me
with their relationship drama, and I hear things now, and my response is always
“Well, did you tell them/talk to them, etc.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And my mind is blown at how often the answer is, “No…” or “They should
know!” I don’t know about most people, but I know that I am not a mind reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Owen and I talk about EVERYTHING, and we did
before we moved in together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
part of the reason we may be so good at this is because we were long distance
for a year and all we could do was talk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We asked each other get to know you questions long into the night and
covered so much before we even were together in person. Owen is well aware I’m
definitely an over communicator, and not only do we talk about the “big stuff,”
when we have to, but we just check in pretty frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How’s it going? Are we happy? Are we on the
same page? When the answer is no, what do we do about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know, we’ve just always been able to
open up with each other in a way we never good before, and that was one of the
reasons we knew we wanted to do this for real. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd8N4YaUR3Wm2xwY6MJ0Nocl0dU650TZ5p-2ylB9pQ-DxNMxETMnu2dCvd49kEcZ6dPgGvzM8qAypBCDPO2BIpfGhNn-Z94_673wINFw9szIezvDwhKM84hQQx5IEtjXCGrai-A/s1600/DSC_1184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd8N4YaUR3Wm2xwY6MJ0Nocl0dU650TZ5p-2ylB9pQ-DxNMxETMnu2dCvd49kEcZ6dPgGvzM8qAypBCDPO2BIpfGhNn-Z94_673wINFw9szIezvDwhKM84hQQx5IEtjXCGrai-A/s640/DSC_1184.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Support each other.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we moved to Boston, Owen left everything
he knew so that I could go to grad school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know it was hard for him, probably in ways I’ll never truly
understand, but he never ONCE made me feel bad that we had moved there or that
I was in school. When I doubted myself, and I wanted to quit, he would make me
dinner or run me a bath and say “The world needs you, you can do this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still have conversations about what we wanted
to do with our lives, and how the other one would be there no matter what. I
have no doubt in my mind that we never would have made it through the “Boston
era” if we did not have each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TAKE A
RISK.</b> I will never forget when Owen flew to Vegas for my birthday because
he was in love with me and he didn’t know if he would ever see me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like that is some rom com stuff, you
know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time I didn’t really even
know what to do about it, because nobody had ever made me a priority like that
or been so honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it CAN happen and
I continue to tell people “If someone loves you, they will find a way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t waste your time on people who can’t
make you a priority, because there is someone out there who will! It was scary
for me to say “Yes, let’s do this,” that night in Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth be told, I had never had a serious relationship
before Owen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, there were guys I
talked to, and it was fine, but I always knew going into it, it would never be
more than a “thing,” and it wasn’t what I wanted for the rest of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Owen was everything I didn’t know I
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I’m not going to lie, we both talked a lot about the disability piece as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had always said I didn’t want to
be with someone who had a disability, because I had enough of my own "stuff" to
deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What ended up happening was
we found someone whose “stuff” aligned with our own, and understood each other
on a level, that nobody else would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t be afraid to take a chance, and take a step outside of your
comfort zone. You deserve someone who gets you and loves you on ALL levels.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">At the
end of the day, all you can do is laugh.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
When I first met Owen, before we even began dating officially, I remember he
made me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like really, genuinely,
laugh, not like “I’m laughing because you want me to think you’re funny.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually remember thinking “Huh… usually
I’m the funny one… this is kind of nice.” When we would meet up in Vegas, we
would walk the strip and talk and laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I always tell people; Owen makes me laugh in the kind of way where you
remember something he said, days later and start laughing again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have FUN, and everything is an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven years later, we still will get the
giggles as we’re falling asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t know if I would ever find someone who not only appreciated my unique
(kind of dark) sense of humor, but we compliment each other perfectly and it is
the laughter and looking on the bright side that has gotten us to where we
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world can happen around you,
but if you get home, and can smile about the life you created, with the person
who is by your side, it’s going to be ok.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9P692vjvkEz8tIhKU1JHb2hwne9lI3Nl_-wU0xGj9GEST1uo0l8JqgqacAT9Yb6Pc3OSh-GnlQpWaSFDnH08Z8sV-ykcxDYtwoQP5_l0FUdSap11w7JREcuEtn0IT_7IsppFOg/s1600/DSC_1267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9P692vjvkEz8tIhKU1JHb2hwne9lI3Nl_-wU0xGj9GEST1uo0l8JqgqacAT9Yb6Pc3OSh-GnlQpWaSFDnH08Z8sV-ykcxDYtwoQP5_l0FUdSap11w7JREcuEtn0IT_7IsppFOg/s640/DSC_1267.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing these five things makes a relationship look pretty
simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know that is far from the
truth, but with these five things at the foundation of a relationship, the rest
will come together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes time,
patience, and a whole lot of vulnerability, but it’s worth it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My life has become
something I never thought it would be. So what’s the point of all this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be patient, be yourself, and don’t
settle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all those young people (or
not so young people) who are thinking they’ll be alone forever with their cat
(and hey, that’s ok too), live the best life you can,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and someone will notice, and want to live
their best life with you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayNB2RC5AHAESMLng9QpcsRJu6j2J885sfTXfDOmCC19h8mXbJ3EkuNezaT4fDDjKlgULIanGAYA5Prto_BvrZ551yiPPtILGyqy-EhMuxO_XOYg8RgSnNopWd7EIzl3rCg9gQA/s1600/DSC_1353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayNB2RC5AHAESMLng9QpcsRJu6j2J885sfTXfDOmCC19h8mXbJ3EkuNezaT4fDDjKlgULIanGAYA5Prto_BvrZ551yiPPtILGyqy-EhMuxO_XOYg8RgSnNopWd7EIzl3rCg9gQA/s640/DSC_1353.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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</style>Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-14582968088530604912017-12-31T14:23:00.004-05:002017-12-31T14:23:54.573-05:002017 in Review<div class="p1">
Good morning!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I could be sleeping in right now but it’s the last day of 2017 and I don’t want to waste it!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A lot of people are saying 2017 was a garbage fire and while some of that may be true, I think most of the negativity is seeping over from a decision our country made in 2016.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Regardless of that, 2017 was good to us, and I’m not here to talk about the negativity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’m here to talk about the AWESOME things that happened in 2017, and you know what that means.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A COUNTDOWN!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Because… say it with me now: “I love bulleted lists!”</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Here we go!</div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>In February, we went to Nevada, for the annual dinner for Nevada Big Horns Unlimited.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s a tradition that is a big part of Owen’s family, and I got to go and be a part of it with his whole family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Maybe after a couple more years I can even explain it to people when I tell them we’re going!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST9Act9uo01a-gxsBj46zoBnWDN9Tc1FjkbHL5bBfBir80yERjBCFDL3DN0CSIT8UvBR25F6rfM8UqYj_BwHrdF2BbPnAjRWcts6k8lONeDMTvEaOhtXKDXFwAZE-nWw6uRO4TQ/s1600/IMG_8729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST9Act9uo01a-gxsBj46zoBnWDN9Tc1FjkbHL5bBfBir80yERjBCFDL3DN0CSIT8UvBR25F6rfM8UqYj_BwHrdF2BbPnAjRWcts6k8lONeDMTvEaOhtXKDXFwAZE-nWw6uRO4TQ/s640/IMG_8729.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></li>
<li><b>WE MOVED! </b>After 5 years living together and two different studios, we FINALLY were able to snag a one bedroom, AND it’s on the first floor, which is essential for safety, when the fire alarm goes off here all the time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We’ve never been on the first floor, and that alone has been life changing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Nevermind the fact we now have a bedroom, a couch, closets, high ceilings.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It really is beginning to feel like home, and not a dorm room furnished with the most minimal budget furniture we can find!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>We had the opportunity to represent the Mountain States region at their annual meeting, and I got to visit Salt Lake City for the first time!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Having been involved in the genetics community, always representing New England, it was a little weird to be telling people we are in Colorado now, but it was great to see some familiar faces, meet new people, and know we still have a set at the genetics table!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>After several attempts, and not being able to make it work I finally had the chance to speak at the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Kansas!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I had dinner with one of my good friends from my MCH life, and was reminded the speaking to youth is really one of my all time favorite things in the world to do. Being able to share my story, and help youth understand what it really takes to create a life they love, and be independent to the degree they are able just gives me that surge of energy, that buzz of…. “I think this is my passion!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Thanks Kansas!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE5qCyt80bmoyEHjkQcUryjBZIXqPXzmMgs204oTlQDUWbGI6e6EdXsq8gOjsOz_J78SXYdp5KOiP79pjELEiJ-4zo6Y-GKQYklITYl9aU-KJ3qnMOoljCHdKbQs0jV9y_xQEoQ/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE5qCyt80bmoyEHjkQcUryjBZIXqPXzmMgs204oTlQDUWbGI6e6EdXsq8gOjsOz_J78SXYdp5KOiP79pjELEiJ-4zo6Y-GKQYklITYl9aU-KJ3qnMOoljCHdKbQs0jV9y_xQEoQ/s640/IMG_0166.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>I started “going to” therapy consistently.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yup. We’re going to talk about Mental Health.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ready?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I have gone to therapy off and on since I lived in Maine. As many of you know, I am a verbal processor, and having someone who just lets me blabber, who asks questions and challenges my thinking is just helpful.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When I was in Boston, I had the only therapist that ever took my insurance, and it was basically less helpful than going to coffee with a friend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Every time I went, we literally had the same conversation… but hey, it was FREE. When I moved to Denver, I found a wonderful person who was also a life coach, AND $130 A VISIT. Plus the Uber to get there, and the time off I had to take from work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Then I took the plunge and signed up for <b><a href="http://www.talkspace.com/" target="_blank">TalkSpace</a></b>, and it has been one of the best decisions I made.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I still pay out of pocket, but I have access to my therapist 24/7 (who I LOVE) and it’s all virtual.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I don’t have to schedule appointments or figure out how to get there.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I send her messages while I’m drinking coffee in the morning, or if I have after a bad meeting at work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She has helped me set goals, and begin to process some of the things we experienced while living in Boston (and even before then).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For so long we were both in survival mode, most of our feelings sort of got pushed aside as we just had to get through the day, the week, that degree.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now that we are settled, its time to practice some self care and really check in with where we are at and how we can be our best selves moving forward!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Virtual therapy may not be the best model for everyone, but it is a perfect fit for me, and I’m so glad I took the plunge!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwWqY6XlEXyDleIeYNqunkvOP_N0oO2iPZ-jXB44l-EZ3mhMMB2Ofrup21WUQrsbVlG5vPozpxY0l4268PoU4nTUflnVn8_RiABsEXV2Ltw01qeegsPY6CnK_wt1J_9dL23HIYA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-31+at+11.56.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="862" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwWqY6XlEXyDleIeYNqunkvOP_N0oO2iPZ-jXB44l-EZ3mhMMB2Ofrup21WUQrsbVlG5vPozpxY0l4268PoU4nTUflnVn8_RiABsEXV2Ltw01qeegsPY6CnK_wt1J_9dL23HIYA/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-12-31+at+11.56.48+AM.png" width="400" /></a><br /></li>
<li>I got a new scooter!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As you all remember, this summer brought some literal bumps in the road as my old reliable scooter Barbie took her last scooter breath. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I was absolutely stunned as my community came together and I was able to raise enough money for a new scooter in less than two days.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am SO grateful for all the people who love and support us on our journey and helped me to maintain my independence for the rest of 2017!</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B7RCIkLL1AhQeKF2JvPxovPsplVtkBEFxZ2po4h-6h2LJqMHvfb0vBWbxzHtTgKGGbULB3HB6O9yJOTcAcQxa3d1ZDFli7g85_Oy3bobp-A3GM0U-TCc06qaF5SwQ3j1pdDBjw/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1475" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B7RCIkLL1AhQeKF2JvPxovPsplVtkBEFxZ2po4h-6h2LJqMHvfb0vBWbxzHtTgKGGbULB3HB6O9yJOTcAcQxa3d1ZDFli7g85_Oy3bobp-A3GM0U-TCc06qaF5SwQ3j1pdDBjw/s640/IMG_0446.JPG" width="590" /></a><br /><br /></div>
<ul>
<li>We went to CONCERTS!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When we were long distance, Zac Brown Band was our soundtrack, and although they came to Boston a couple times when we were there, we just couldn’t make it work to see them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This time, we weren’t about to pass it up, and seeing them at Coors Field (while its not Fenway) was incredible! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>AND THEN THERE WAS KESHA. Seeing Kesha was not only fun, it was cathartic and healing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I know that sounds silly, but both Kesha and I have been through a lot in the last few years.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Kesha was the first CD I blasted in my car in 2010, she was my going out anthem, the song that played when I got driven to my hotel in Vegas and said goodbye to Owen along with “You have my number, use it or don’t!”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The crowd at this show was one full of love and acceptance.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yea, she got political and we needed it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She only sang for an hour but it was the best night we had in a long time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I sang, I cried, I let my hair down, and there was glitter, so much glitter.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZGN04lLuYjRaA1JaAMuXHSqZAQnPXr0FcZ6hiHKeddGVPYww7thvJ0TCDuzwv_tdG59l1kI8hHUjgxpylvf0nf46-yqBu4IEAsULBqh2UHNfygeEefdBAZIDy17QrKKEcyKqEQ/s1600/IMG_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZGN04lLuYjRaA1JaAMuXHSqZAQnPXr0FcZ6hiHKeddGVPYww7thvJ0TCDuzwv_tdG59l1kI8hHUjgxpylvf0nf46-yqBu4IEAsULBqh2UHNfygeEefdBAZIDy17QrKKEcyKqEQ/s640/IMG_0320.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>In September, my family came to visit, and I realized that it was the first time since I’ve lived in another state that both my mom and dad, and my sister have come to visit at the same time, and it was AWESOME.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They were able to sty with us since we have a bigger apartment now, and we did so much!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We brunched, we went to Taste of Colorado, I got to take my dad to the Grateful Dead bar by our house (which I’m pretty sure is now one of my favorite memories of all time), and we went wedding dress shopping!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I know we all went, feeling vaguely pessimistic, since dress shopping for me tends to be challenging, but the angels at <a href="http://www.luvbridalweddingdressesdenver.com/" target="_blank">Luv Bridal</a> were incredible, and made it the best experience.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I didn’t expect to find a dress on my first trip, but I did, and I was actually sad when it was over!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We also went to the <a href="https://www.butterflies.org/" target="_blank">butterfly pavilion,</a> which was so special, since butterflies are a symbol of the Nana, and it was like she was right there with us. Then we surprised my family by taking them to dinner at our future wedding venue.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was so exciting to be able to share Denver with them, and celebrate how far we have come! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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<ul>
<li>THE <a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/mallory-cyr-and-owen-erquiaga-oct-2018-8ed42782-8031-4404-ac1a-e0c5368b8491?utm_campaign=wedding-websites-share&utm_content=short-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=theknot.com" target="_blank">WEDDING</a> STUFF!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Last year at this time, we had just gotten engaged, and I was absolutely overwhelmed at what had to go into having a wedding.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I thought we could never do it, and people kept asking if we had a date or a venue and I already felt like we were behind.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Then we took some time, thought about what we wanted, enjoyed looking at venues and now a year later, it’s really happening.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I have a dress, we have our venue, DJ, <a href="https://petrajaynephotography.shootproof.com/" target="_blank">photographer</a>, and it’s really going to be what we want it to be!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are SO excited to have all the people we love in one room, it’s going to be so incredible.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>280 days and counting!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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<ul>
<li>Last but certainly not least, in the last couple weeks of 2017, <b>Owen GOT A JOB!! </b>Since moving to Denver he was worked endlessly, applying and networking to land a consistent opportunity that was a good fit, and something he could get to easily.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Well, his hard work paid off, and he is now a marketing research recruiter, and works just a few blocks from our apartment (and my office).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In addition to this huge accomplishment, in 2017 he worked at the elections division again and really found his niche in dog sitting which has been SO FUN!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He has such a knack with the canine crowd, and it has been great, spending time with different kinds of doggos,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>so we can practice before adding our own furry friend to our home (I mean.. .we all know we’re going to eventually).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you need a dog sitter in the Denver area, find Owen on <a href="https://www.rover.com/members/owen-e-dog-lover-looking-for-furry-friends/?service_type=overnight-boarding&start_date=&end_date=&refer=search" target="_blank">Rover</a>! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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So there you have it!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I thought it would be tough to make a list of 10 things, but really it was hard ONLY picking 10!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cheers to all of you who supported us, and helped to make 2017 so incredible, I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May the new year bring you all health, and happiness!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Be safe, have fun, and make the most of this last night of 2017. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-9664240559878472592017-08-06T18:45:00.000-04:002017-08-06T18:45:51.563-04:00The Scooter That Love Bought<div class="MsoNormal">
Last month I presented at a youth leadership
conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a long time
since I have presented to young people, who have hope, ambition and dreams for
the future.</div>
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I sort of had to sand the edges of my recent presentations
since I have mostly been presenting to providers, or older students who are
pretty aware of how broken our system is, in all the ways.</div>
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In this presentation, I spoke about the importance of asking
for help, and identifying the supports you need to be successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also around this time, I remembered
one thing I am really bad at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asking for
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years, and through my
own transitions, going to college, living in Boston, moving to Denver,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it seems I have waited until the last minute
to speak up and say I can’t do it on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or it is when my body simply shuts down to say “Yea, this is too much,
you need to bring in some back up."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I returned from this conference full of energized
youth, it was becoming clear that my Scooter (who we all know fondly as Barbie)
was not doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could not go a
block without her battery dipping frighteningly low, and she was making sounds
that I just knew were not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
bought a new charger, hoping that would buy me some time, but I knew she was at
the end of her scooter life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6p8jYgUCkm8BX4GRS7Tu8J99FDHLrNeMMuG7_PENyiBfYVq8AVTUTo0KUpSKGkZqucR-Lp-fev3oh6wwGz91SXZD_79uNItDjrrloEr0qNI8f2GsjYQcKEjqWCw0VdK_zZhZZA/s1600/orlando+scooter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6p8jYgUCkm8BX4GRS7Tu8J99FDHLrNeMMuG7_PENyiBfYVq8AVTUTo0KUpSKGkZqucR-Lp-fev3oh6wwGz91SXZD_79uNItDjrrloEr0qNI8f2GsjYQcKEjqWCw0VdK_zZhZZA/s640/orlando+scooter.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV_7Qdh-aTkPpV-JsbN8CmNQq48XP5fh0_XOAWnFCt8rrm8mLdwcS8Un97dpb98X_WIrWe3aqVIAWexNRQvbdmRx0OLVd1TX9erGbyTpiumTmkqACv4_79ZzGN6MUluh36Cu-eQ/s1600/first+day+barbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="779" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV_7Qdh-aTkPpV-JsbN8CmNQq48XP5fh0_XOAWnFCt8rrm8mLdwcS8Un97dpb98X_WIrWe3aqVIAWexNRQvbdmRx0OLVd1TX9erGbyTpiumTmkqACv4_79ZzGN6MUluh36Cu-eQ/s640/first+day+barbie.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a technician come out and evaluate the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her prognosis was not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t sell just a motor, and for what it
would have cost me to have her repaired, would be more than a new scooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barbie had taken her last scooter breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all, she served me well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the amount that I use her, it really was
amazing that she lasted as long as she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The model of scooter I typically get, for portability and for my size,
is really not meant for daily commuting and city adventures in all seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always tell people, “She was meant for
malls and airports.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here I was, without a scooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I like to tell myself that having a
scooter makes my life easier, the reality is, I need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weeks without one were a strong reminder
of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few days of just
walking within our one block radius, my whole body was in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was also a reminder that there are times where you simply
NEED to ask for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My colleagues at work were absolutely amazing, and I did not
have to Uber the two blocks to work the entire time I was scooterless.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I found out I needed a new scooter, my heart sank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that was probably going to be the
case, but it wasn’t something I was prepared for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are trying to save for our wedding, and I
am just beginning to make a dent in some of my ever lingering medical and
student debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not good
news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing how long it would
take me to save for a new scooter, and needing to get back to my regular work
schedule, I decided to take another leap of faith and ask for help. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was much younger, I witnessed the magic that can
happen when a community comes together to help someone in a time of need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While times have changed, and the form in
which community fundraisers occur has changed, I figured I would put it out to
the universe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I created a Go Fund Me page, and explained the importance of
getting a new scooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How she helps me
get safely to work every day, and gives me the independence I need to be active
in the amazing city we live in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
a scooter, I am limited in both my social, and professional life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let it be known, I felt a little weird doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I should be able to buy a new
scooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That if I made the choice to
pay out of pocket, I should always be able to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should simply forego our plans of having a
wedding, and address our immediate needs, that we unfortunately have to deal
with, when others our age may not have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I did it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And there are NOT words, for what I felt when in just over
24 hours I had raised enough for a NEW SCOOTER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Friends, family, people I didn’t even know, donated all amounts so that
I could get my independence back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
donated in honor of people they had lost, people left notes of encouragement
that they wanted to see me back in action.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnHKtEgQttE1qvDoQ2ufJ5J_F92cVIPb1mj6gH21dXTQZ1LMxE4DjOp5J0uldLKFCfk6_zpkoianemAfBfFiYW7hOoTL7qohrwewcLjBX8_BAg179OghCO5zHs_X3Icp6Xs3YcQ/s1600/Scooter+1+laughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnHKtEgQttE1qvDoQ2ufJ5J_F92cVIPb1mj6gH21dXTQZ1LMxE4DjOp5J0uldLKFCfk6_zpkoianemAfBfFiYW7hOoTL7qohrwewcLjBX8_BAg179OghCO5zHs_X3Icp6Xs3YcQ/s640/Scooter+1+laughing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I fought back tears at work, as I got notified of donations
of $100, $300…. People who had needs and families of their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still can’t believe it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I took the new scooter on her maiden voyage to spend time
with my best friend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having the freedom
to be able to come, and go, and just get a cup of coffee brought me so much joy
after two weeks of feeling stuck within the small area my little legs could
take me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to the gratitude of everyone who pitched in, I was
even able to get a new model that might last me a little longer and be a little
safer than the model that Barbie was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so excited for new adventures, and I promise I will
name her soon, but in the meantime, please accept this as a HUGE universal
thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the state of our country
feels bleak, and hopeless, I have been reminded there IS good in the world, and
LOVE CAN WIN.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-76364658910215585652017-06-23T23:38:00.002-04:002017-06-24T10:31:28.613-04:00#SaveMedicaid Part I <div class="MsoNormal">
Ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to get
real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually try to gloss over some
of the healthcare, and advocacy stuff, but with things as scary as they are, that may be pretty much impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a vow when I relaunched this blog, that it would encompass ALL parts of
myself, and that’s a pretty big part, regardless of how well I may hide it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unless you live under a rock, you know that health care is
in SERIOUS danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed “health
care” bill was <a href="http://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/gop-senate-health-care-bill-explained/" target="_blank">unveiled yesterday</a> with the new “administration,” and let me just
say, I use the term care loosely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a
gander at the summary and make sure you have your barf bucket nearby, as it is
basically a mass murder bill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While it’s a dumpster fire all around, I want to discuss
Medicaid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/gop-threat-to-medicaid-threatens-liberty-of-millions-of-americans-974159427845" target="_blank">Rachel Maddow</a> spells it out
perfectly, as really Medicaid is the country’s LARGEST insurance plan and
covers 74.5 MILLION people- mostly women, children and people with disabilities.
SEVENTY FIVE MILLION OF THE PEOPLE WHO GOT OFF THE TITANIC FIRST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SEVENTY FIVE MILLION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LET THAT SINK IN. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Medicaid is NOT welfare; it is one of the best insurance
plans in the country that covers things that private insurance does not
cover. Things that are essential for people with any “beyond average” health
needs require to be alive… or be in their community instead of a hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These can include wheelchairs, life
sustaining IV nutrition, assistive devices or PEOPLE to help with eating, going
to the bathroom, communicating, GETTING AROUND.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know…. Those things most people do every day without batting an
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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So here’s where I get real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the first time in my life I have NOT had Medicaid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also had private insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a rare genetic disorder, and I rely on
IV nutrition to LIVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get 7 bags of IV
fluid delivered to my apartment every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My love, Owen Reese puts this in the fridge and helps me prepare it every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep a stock of medical supplies to
administer said IV (these all cost money and are not available at Walgreen's).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The cost of my daily existence is roughly between $7,000-$10,000 every two weeks, and this is when I am at my very BEST health.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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I could very easily
end up in the hospital for an infection because of my disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get frequent Iron infusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get regular bloodwork that costs
$1,500.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, my private insurance
covers most of that (MOST).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the
plot twist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work for our state
Medicaid program right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t get
into that, BUT for the sake of irony, it’s important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF I lost my job due to Medicaid cuts, since
this new bill wants to make blood thirsty $800 BILLION cuts to Medicaid, I
would NEED MEDICAID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one of us ever
had a medical crisis, we may need in home supports to STAY IN OUR HOME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the thing I often don’t talk
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On paper, I am "nursing home level
of care," or “hospital back up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I would qualify for the program I work on. </span>What
that means, is, if all of a sudden, I didn’t have the support, or the ability
to care for my own medical condition as well as I do I would need to be
institutionalized. Yes, I said it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When my sister and I were little, our parents wanted to take
a vacation and because our needs were too high for “respite,” (which probably
was not even a covered benefit under their plan, they suggested my parents “PUT
US IN A NURSING HOME FOR THE WEEKEND.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEcL1Hqq-r2Dsq72A2rvNuAclB2T8WR7sUahOOG9YkArcxGlsf2cEo4mVV5BpVDApto-LksTgRb86VD5hGbP8h2WrLIdl8tt2zA2j5HsqiNEkqz-vOznnSTqruey00v7WcBq6pg/s1600/Mal%2527s+walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="669" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEcL1Hqq-r2Dsq72A2rvNuAclB2T8WR7sUahOOG9YkArcxGlsf2cEo4mVV5BpVDApto-LksTgRb86VD5hGbP8h2WrLIdl8tt2zA2j5HsqiNEkqz-vOznnSTqruey00v7WcBq6pg/s320/Mal%2527s+walker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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FOR. THE. WEEKEND.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two, young, vibrant, independent girls who happen to have a few extra
steps due to their medical diagnosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This story still grosses me out to this day, that was even suggested as
a solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, my parents
did not go that route, and we were fortunate to have the natural supports that
we found someone to stay with us so my parents could have some grown up
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpbvp0XZqyVhUfjntxcnO1cMAzrvzy_RIIhDCOegx2Bd3C8IjD16ncaT8U9X2Fh3eqkmMHXbXo9kwGAz07L_awJReEoGm-3j96LEluu93XvUllQhjOo_cIpmvgcnBSEnEsKGO0Q/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpbvp0XZqyVhUfjntxcnO1cMAzrvzy_RIIhDCOegx2Bd3C8IjD16ncaT8U9X2Fh3eqkmMHXbXo9kwGAz07L_awJReEoGm-3j96LEluu93XvUllQhjOo_cIpmvgcnBSEnEsKGO0Q/s400/IMG_6436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But I digress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The point of this is to say, the cuts to Medicaid would be
life threatening to thousands of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is not “lazy people living off the government.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you are over the age of 18 this is NOT
AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to
apply for it, you have to fight for it, and you have to justify your needs
over, and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not “free
money,” it is not “disability.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
necessary healthcare coverage so people with disabilities, and other complex
medical needs can maybe be CLOSER to achieving some sort of quality of life
when our society is still riddled with obscene barriers every step of the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was little, growing up, with more medical needs than
my family ever thought we could handle?<b> I WAS ON MEDICAID.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in college, trying to further my
education so I could have a job, and a fulfilling life as an adult? <b>I WAS ON
MEDICAID. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was in grad school, working in public health and
operating a small business?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>GUESS WHAT? I
WAS ON MEDICAID.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>I pay taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I pay a lot of taxes</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my
health care coverage is taken away so that I can no longer work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what…. Then I am “living off the
government.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the government CHOSE
THAT. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is definitely just the beginning of how I feel about this
entire debacle, but I needed to begin by setting the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$800 billon cuts in Medicaid is just one terrifying
piece of why the proposed bill is unacceptable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And my story is just one of 75,000,000 that will tell you
why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">#SaveMedicaid</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_correspond_senators.htm" target="_blank">SHARE YOUR STORY NOW! </a></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-35479195390495783632017-04-01T13:12:00.000-04:002017-04-01T13:12:02.409-04:00Colorado Continued<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember when I used to write a blog?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am the WORST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Except not really. I don’t even have any good excuses except for life
has been happening at an unbelievable pace, and there was this period of time
after the presidential election when I forgot how to make words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m not here to talk about that (yet).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m mostly here to pour some words onto a page about the
last almost year of my life because that’s what I do, and I am a selfish
millennial who believes the world wants to hear about it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRJ_Yqan5Gk4JLa6vITHAaK_z8cX04JrKOglM9fCh3x1T5crAdnCN_2HAG0Ec22gucjm4OdmyzivVsg5n2tUY50J38LEqKOp4jHXrqicKPis_N5Zxw5wywtxVfyLlv930dPCgJg/s1600/IMG_5833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRJ_Yqan5Gk4JLa6vITHAaK_z8cX04JrKOglM9fCh3x1T5crAdnCN_2HAG0Ec22gucjm4OdmyzivVsg5n2tUY50J38LEqKOp4jHXrqicKPis_N5Zxw5wywtxVfyLlv930dPCgJg/s320/IMG_5833.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I get to the good stuff, let’s back up to where we
last were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a year ago, my temp
position, my first job in Colorado was coming to an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I applied for a position within my section,
sure that I would get it, because well… they wanted me to move here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well SURPRISE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t talk much about this when it
happened, because it was a lot to process, and I still didn’t know where I fit
into this department landscape, and I didn’t want to burn any bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was tough. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was also during a time I did NOT have
health insurance (another blog I will revisit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My health was not at its best, and I was trying to “put my best foot
forward” to land a permanent position (doing anything really at this point, I
just needed a paycheck and to be able to get my prescriptions again).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I didn’t get the job, it was like the
rug got pulled out from under me again and the world started spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Had we made a mistake coming here? Would we be able to pay
rent?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whose family would we live with
when I failed once again? Maybe not all of these thoughts were necessary, but
they were real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the
rollercoaster emotions and thoughts of real transition folks. I cried in the
parking lot as I watched my current “team” walk away from me and go to lunch
together. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I let myself feel all of my feelings, and then I took a deep
breath, put on my big girl pants (again… man these things get a lot of use, the
rhinestones are starting to fall off) and I re-evaluated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a barricade in front of the “easy
road” I had hoped I could take, seamlessly falling into a job where I already
was, with the work I had already been doing for 9 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here I was. Once again, the universe had
presented me with an opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
opportunity to decide what my Colorado path was going to be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I revamped my résumé, and hit the ground
running. I reached out to my networks and applied for so many jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now mind you, before spring of 2015, when I
was getting close to graduating from BU I had NEVER applied for a job (I know,
don’t hate me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ve always
worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very fortunate in the way
that every “job” I’ve ever had rolled into another one, and people just sought
me out to be a part of things, so all of this was new to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to remember how to sell myself, and I
had lots of people help with cover letters, since I didn’t speak the language
of the system yet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fast forward to June, when my job is about to end, the
Friday before my last day, and I have two offers on the table, one with my current
employer, who had (at the last possible second) whipped together a “position”
for me, and one, doing real, state level health policy at an office that would
be two blocks from my apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
that interview, I was nervous, but I had this buzz throughout my body as I
spoke about my experience in policy, getting invited to the White House and my
connections with the disability community that made me realize “You know… I
think this means I’m excited about this!”(I was later told I had given a “mic
drop interview”).</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turns out, my boss had been in Vegas when we were going
back and forth about the job offer, but he had gotten the cell phone number of
the director of HR to be able to give me a formal offer, since he knew I had
another offer at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
day that was! I was shown, if you really want someone, you can make it happen,
and it was time to go where I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">valued</i>!</div>
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I even got a couple weeks of "Funemployment" before I started new position, which was much needed! </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Today actually marks my 10 months in my current position,
and I think it is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted it is HARD work, but while some may
consider it thankless and unfulfilling, I can’t believe I am finally in the
process of making tangible systems change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are not doing ambiguous logic models and learning objectives that
never go anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are writing policy
and serving real people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could be
more fulfilling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recently realized, I
think I am the perfect balance of optimistic and jaded to be in this work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen both sides of this service and I
know it’s not easy and it’s not fun, but it’s ESSENTIAL for so many individuals
to live their best lives, so someone has to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I now have a paycheck, health insurance, a retirement plan, PAID TIME
OFF AND SICK TIME, and an amazing group of colleagues, so I can’t
complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all works out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trust the process,
and trust yourself and those who truly care about you.</b> I have zero regret
coming to Denver, and what this last year taught me is just how many people we
DO have in our corner and who really mean it when they say “Do you need anything?”
or “How are you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still am in awe of our incredible
community.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_VLoL8OqIXqbdeDfFHSLvXUMAkC1zcTMPfDxJr-5WM9LsL-AcaB0fp0OW2fxt20AZT58tkqo3vurGaJK5qOleNXTOHcr6RHr0u0dEMdQarPTOXcIzX4KxQeRwsoZ84SaYpKUjw/s1600/IMG_6905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_VLoL8OqIXqbdeDfFHSLvXUMAkC1zcTMPfDxJr-5WM9LsL-AcaB0fp0OW2fxt20AZT58tkqo3vurGaJK5qOleNXTOHcr6RHr0u0dEMdQarPTOXcIzX4KxQeRwsoZ84SaYpKUjw/s400/IMG_6905.JPG" width="388" /></a></div>
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A couple of other huge milestones that happened recently,
that I will put on my calendar to write more about, but for a teaser</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After dating for 5 years, and living together for 4 -After braving
blizzards, and bombings, and grad school Owen gave me a ring, with the Nana’s
flawless diamond and said “Will you Marry me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I was like OK!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned for
lots of wedding talk, and me being a cheesy girly girl that I once despised!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPxCPVZd1nN76cVdyWzcsxYhrKcJk0SumDvis1g5RowkkmVeuvU5j77mzTfRFA5ybmdjRhmulHdDK67wXVIN4TS_G81990NIFzEUcuQTYWCOZ6uLJE47HGE_g2Cndgi4aA8gIRA/s1600/IMG_8418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPxCPVZd1nN76cVdyWzcsxYhrKcJk0SumDvis1g5RowkkmVeuvU5j77mzTfRFA5ybmdjRhmulHdDK67wXVIN4TS_G81990NIFzEUcuQTYWCOZ6uLJE47HGE_g2Cndgi4aA8gIRA/s400/IMG_8418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The other big news WE MOVED!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After 4 years of cozy studio living, we have a 850 sq ft ONE
BEDROOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to wrap this up so we
can go buy a couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so perfect for
us, and we are on the first floor, which has already been life changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So guess what guys?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s all happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of those
things I thought we’d never get to, here we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the craziest thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am REALLY happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To those on the transition train, let me just
tell you. It’s possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not always
easy, and it sure isn’t fun, but keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know it sounds silly, but really, you can create the life you
want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought I would be here,
but if you put it out to the universe, make a lot of Google docs spreadsheets, and aren’t afraid to take a leap of faith, you may surprise yourself with how
things work out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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More on that later, but for now, I am going to wake up my
FIANCÉ, and go buy some furniture for my big girl house!</div>
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Xoxo. </div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-83290498559705551282016-05-20T09:40:00.000-04:002016-05-20T09:40:50.175-04:00Friday Favorites 5.20.16<div class="MsoNormal">
When I <a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-bloggitude-and-true-confessions.html">relaunched
this blog</a> two years ago, I decided it was going to be a balance of all
aspects of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I don’t know
about you, but that last entry made my head hurt, so I think it’s time for
something a little more fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about
some Friday Favorites?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a list of random things I’m
loving recently!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Two-Rivers-Flavored-Sampler-Single-Cup/dp/B00N0JIACS?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00">This
box of K-cups</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Seriously though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought this random box of Kcups because I
like getting to pick a new flavor every day instead of being limited to 24 of
the same flavor I may or may not be in the mood for, and since my favorite
local small business coffee dealer <a href="https://www.bigcatcoffees.com/">Big
Cats Coffee</a> (out of New England) is no longer able to customize boxes, I
went to Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This box has so many
brands and flavors I had never even heard of, including Friendly’s ice cream
flavors like Vienna Mocha Chunk! It's just like going out with my family after a
dance recital!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every morning is a treat,
and I actually have found myself spending less at Starbucks, because I can have
an even better cup of coffee in the office!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bam!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PApt_lpCTJuCNvptFrmN6Nywhq90MiV2HYwvFpT_lAGItsZDPxBsNUe2Q0YT69s1rD92OYD8lf9U3KN1VHDeWqibT3_AidAR2VE9qh_AkJOr9ywJtih7WeHjZ25XJ6j1wHfZgA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-20+at+6.47.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PApt_lpCTJuCNvptFrmN6Nywhq90MiV2HYwvFpT_lAGItsZDPxBsNUe2Q0YT69s1rD92OYD8lf9U3KN1VHDeWqibT3_AidAR2VE9qh_AkJOr9ywJtih7WeHjZ25XJ6j1wHfZgA/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-20+at+6.47.05+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.zappos.com/kenneth-cole-reaction-kids-heart-treat-t-toddler-little-kid-big-kid-black-patent">These
Kenneth Cole boots</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There is actually a funny story
here, because I didn’t buy them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
not bought shoes in quite some time, and have recently found myself regretting
some of the intense purging I did before the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was at work the other day, and a colleague of mine stopped me in the hall and
said, “Mallory, can I ask you a weird question?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What size do you wear… like where do you shop?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, on the scale of weird questions I
have received, that’s like a .5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
went on to explain she had a daughter who had outgrown some of her shoes and
clothes and they were really nice and she was wondering if I would like to try
them on and see what I wanted before she tried to sell or get rid of the
rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WELL YES, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought a bag of shoes a couple
days later and I sat awkwardly in my cube with no shame, trying on various pink
winter boots, flip flops and these babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The thing I love about them is they are so comfortable, AND they both
zip up all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a few other
pairs of black zippy boots and while my <a href="http://www.thefryecompany.com/">Fryes</a>
are also super comfortable, I swear I have one calf that’s bigger than the
other, and one won’t zip all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
thanks Kenneth Cole, and my dear friend Gina for these beauties!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My awkward calves are so grateful!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUui3h4cNX8DevBlwdFeI8bGO05oqnb20EzidZVCrz8f95G66_Wq0uYcNb-nyAxfmkSebU6AVKJtza4MA8JEmN2bs2Q-djYgQj4PzkW2Yz-iiMsxm9Pw9wu_pEzc9ZzW0qdtXBDg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-20+at+6.49.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUui3h4cNX8DevBlwdFeI8bGO05oqnb20EzidZVCrz8f95G66_Wq0uYcNb-nyAxfmkSebU6AVKJtza4MA8JEmN2bs2Q-djYgQj4PzkW2Yz-iiMsxm9Pw9wu_pEzc9ZzW0qdtXBDg/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-05-20+at+6.49.09+AM.png" width="280" /></a></div>
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4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.hulu.com/vanderpump-rules">Vanderpump Rules</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am so sorry if you are a person who used to have respect
for me, but this show has been my existence for like the last month and I am
totally in a show hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even began
dreaming about these people like they were my friends and that Lisa Vanderpump
was my boss. Let me be honest with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is pure trash with people that I have zero respect for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except, I basically want their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody in the world could ever drink that
much or speak to their boss the way they do and still have a job, let alone get
to take a week off here and there to go to Vegas or Hawaii EVERY time a staff
member has a birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they’re models and have gorgeous apartments
and it’s L/A and just… I CANNOT STOP WATCHING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lucky for me, there is talk of Season 5, and I have been filling the
void with the podcast of our favorite beauty/villain, <a href="http://www1.play.it/audio/straight-up-with-stassi/">Straight up with
Stassi.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there’s that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, my NY housewives are back, so it’s not
a total show hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJBmoDds6DiJ9FDagyOU1fathG2qVCsuDNlf9W02qFbpiXWpEmVYDTZSzuEFlgOrh4CbdTM4gERaRWC7010YtFOGq1nO3uqaX3WZgoEzgNBKbdF00b8VvmE1YGMTiUSwuVffG-A/s1600/VP+rules.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJBmoDds6DiJ9FDagyOU1fathG2qVCsuDNlf9W02qFbpiXWpEmVYDTZSzuEFlgOrh4CbdTM4gERaRWC7010YtFOGq1nO3uqaX3WZgoEzgNBKbdF00b8VvmE1YGMTiUSwuVffG-A/s400/VP+rules.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My license picture<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s talk about this for a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you serious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">complimented
</i>on my old license and ID picture. Gone are those days! Nobody told me that
when we moved here that Colorado was a “no smiling state.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer dude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I especially love my new lazy eye that appears when I try to take a
selfie, and my perma-cow lick that I cannot get rid of no matter what I
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I guess it is just all things
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are plenty of other smiling
pictures, and, if I ever do commit a crime (not in the cards….)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can save them a step.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy Friday Y’all.<o:p></o:p></div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-6322178015547820902016-05-16T18:41:00.001-04:002016-05-16T18:57:05.105-04:00Life is a Highway Part II<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Here is the full saga of my adventure trying to transfer my out of state license after the big move. I will warn you, it's a SAGA. My hope is that maybe it can save other people some of the nonsense I went through. Feel free to read on if you have time. Prepare to get frustrated...</i></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five years ago, </span><a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.blogspot.com/2010/02/life-is-highway-january-28-2010-is-day.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got my driver’s license</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. As some of you may know, it took me about ten years. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f57a7648-bb74-36cf-dc92-2efcd9343b63" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What I didn’t think about was that after that, I might be moving to another state (two different states actually) and what that would mean for said driver’s license.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LUCKY FOR YOU. Once again, I am here, to provide transition “lessons learned” so that if any of you driven, ambitious young people want to get the hell out of your home state you will know the steps to go through to eventually transfer your out of state license, be a real citizen of that state, and MAYBE have to make less ridiculous trips to the DMV than I did.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me back up a little bit. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved to Colorado in August of 2015. My license expires May 28, 2016. I got my Colorado license today… with 12 days to spare, before my Maine license would expire</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made my first trip to the DMV in October of 2015. There were a couple of reasons I waited to start the process a little late in the game. The first one, is similar to why I waited to transfer my healthcare when I was living Boston. Because I just wasn’t sure. As I have mentioned before, I am most definitely my own worst enemy when it comes to believing in myself, and my life choices. WHAT IF I FAIL!?!?!? What if I lose all my money and my job, and everyone hates me and we lose our apartment, and I have to move back to Maine!?!?!!? I might as well keep my Maine license, juuuust in case.</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second reason- let’s just be clear about this. I AM NOT ACTUALLY DRIVING IN COLORADO. My car, Lily, is happily in Maine, hanging out with my sister, because logistics, and I take the bus, and it’s fine. Otherwise, I would have had to renew my out of state license within 30 days of changing my residence to Colorado (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this may vary per state, so be sure to check</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyway, so one day in October, I took the morning off from work, and took an Uber to the specific DMV that does driver’s license (cha ching- $20). I had done my research on the website, and had my proof of residency, my passport, my current license, a blood sample, my first born, etc etc. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It really didn’t take that long to get called and go through the process, so I figured I was good to go. However, when they called me up to get my photo taken, they had me review my information to make sure it was correct. And my apartment # was wrong. UGH. So, I mentioned it (come to find out, I managed to grab the ONE piece of mail that actually had my address wrong…but somehow it got to me so go figure) When I mentioned it was incorrect, they had me sit back down. So I did, and waited, and waited. And I knew I was not leaving with a license.</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sure enough, they called me back up, and having looked at my file, explained to me that I needed to have a form filled out by my doctor, because it said on my license that I needed accommodations in my vehicle THAT IS NOT EVEN IN THE STATE OF COLORADO. I will say the staff was super nice, and even checked with the manager if this was the case, but it was. Then they sent me on my way, with the form.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s kind of funny because I try not to be a big nerd who is like “Everything has to do with health care,” but you guys, everything has to do with health care. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this time, I was also transitioning to my second PCP because my first one just did not have follow through that I needed (that’s another blog). I ended up switching to an Internal Medicine group, that is a lot better, so when I got my first appointment, I brought in the form, to this poor doctor who has never even met me. She was nice, and didn’t ask many questions, and filled out the form. </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the holidays, work, and life happened, and I didn’t have the opportunity to take ANOTHER morning off to go to the DMV and do this again. But, since the clock was ticking, I found a day. I made sure all my mail had the correct address, paper-clipped all my crap together, took another Uber (cha-ching) and went back to east middle of Nowhere to the Driver’s License office.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This guy was also super nice, but as he examined the form, he told me that it didn’t include the specific information it needed explaining my particular accommodations that I need IN MY VEHICLE THAT IS NOT IN COLORADO.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I asked him (still being my super nice, Advocate self) “Ok, well does it say to include that information on the form?”</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DMV Dude: “Well, no. But the doctor is just supposed to know.”</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clearly, they teach mind reading in med school. I wish they had taught that in Public Health school, then maybe I would have known what I needed before I went to the DMV twice</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know he was just trying to help, but clearly not understanding how healthcare works, this kind young man said “Well if you can go back today and have them fill it out, and come back, I can help you right away.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My doctor’s office is a half an hour in the OPPOSITE direction from my house, so about an hour from the DMV, which is in the middle of nowhere in the other direction. Also, you don’t just stroll into Internal Medicine and say “Hey, I need someone who can just jot some words on this form. AGAIN.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was also the day of the Super Bowl parade, so getting anywhere in the city would take twice as long. I ALSO need to mention, that in my current job, I do not have paid time off. Not only am I paying to Uber each time, but I’m missing valuable work time that I am not getting compensated for. My choice, but still, another factor that makes each DMV trip even more painful.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After they sent me away the second time, I had a very long moral dilemma. I had a form with my doctor’s signature, and we had discussed my accommodations and everything I needed, technically I could just write in the notes section, whatever they needed and save myself a trip BACK to my doctor’s office. I also didn’t have health insurance during this time, so I was not about to be billed for a dr filling out a form they ALREADY FILLED OUT.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, I decided I was just going to fill in the information, and make another trip to the DMV. Well, apparently the universe didn’t think that was a good idea because the form was blank. After my second trip, the guy at the DMV had TAKEN THE FORM THAT WAS SIGNED and given me a blank one, without even telling me. I was literally back at square one. Are you kidding me?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point, I had lost much of my motivation to even make this happen. The other reason that I was in such a panic to get my CO license in the first place was because I was going to be applying for jobs with the state, and having a CO license is a requirement. At this point though, I had gone through the process and checked with HR, and since I already worked at the state, and could prove residency, as long as I was working on it, they told me it wasn’t as urgent. That helped me relax a little bit, but I still just wanted to get it done. The clock was still ticking, and as I mentioned, after spending 10 years trying to get my license, I will be damned if I was going to sacrifice it because the system is completely inefficient.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fast forward to May, after four months of not having health insurance (another blog), and I make an appointment to see my new PCP, and figure i’ll have her fill out the form ONCE AGAIN. Please note- this was AFTER I had been messaging with my team (who are all residents so I never see the same person twice) and they said I could mail the form, and they would fill it out and send it back. Then they told me I needed to make an appointment EVEN THOUGH THEY ALREADY FILLED IT OUT ONCE. But whatever, at this point I had other issues I wanted to discuss anyway so I actually just took a whole freaking day off in the name of wellness and took the bus to the doctor. Because Eff Uber when the sun is out and I have nothing but time. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I go to the doctor, and wait… wait… because healthcare is inefficient. Then I get in with the doctor, and she says, “So you’re here for some paperwork?” </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, and you have the paperwork. It was in an envelope with a note that included very specific instructions on what to write and it had a note that said, DO NOT LOSE THIS FORM.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll be right back.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure you know where this is going. They couldn’t find the form. I decided before I even went, I was not leaving without this form so I told them to find it. They were super gracious, and they did find it. Let me re-emphasize. I WROTE DOWN what I wanted them to write on the form. This was another person who had never met me, so I basically did all the work and they got to bill my insurance. CHA- CHING. I left with the form.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, 2 weeks after that appointment, I decided to just take the plunge. I gathered all my documentation UH-GAIN. Left the house at 7 a.m. in the rain and Ubered to the DMV. Luckily, I had the same girl I had the first time, who raised both eyebrows when I said “Maybe third time’s the charm?”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq670WpAgkQXOzbblbwj5gs66aaYTM2BfV59b4QjGBqeEEdiIMGsqEe8w1QDjV1sH29VLE6QfyDZhPcFAYWmYVrFrXuhtYtn-XQl9o92B4mLkvyzx2m_iuvSodBNbP04ZsVzqqtw/s1600/DMV+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq670WpAgkQXOzbblbwj5gs66aaYTM2BfV59b4QjGBqeEEdiIMGsqEe8w1QDjV1sH29VLE6QfyDZhPcFAYWmYVrFrXuhtYtn-XQl9o92B4mLkvyzx2m_iuvSodBNbP04ZsVzqqtw/s320/DMV+selfie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In less than 20 minutes, I was waiting to get my picture taken. I was a little worried when she disappeared for a little too long, that there was some other reason I wouldn’t be leaving with a license, but I made a vow to myself I was not leaving until it was complete. I was done playing games. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So now 6 months later, I left with my Colorado license and and a goofy picture because apparently in Colorado you can’t show your teeth when you smile, BUT I DON’T CARE!! Now that this is behind me, next time I can just renew this baby online! The Maine chapter of my identity is officially off the books… there you have it!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Best of luck to all of you as you move into your new lives, and new identities.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For those of you who want the TL:DR version, here are my top five lessons learned from the Driver’s License Saga Part II:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t trust the internet.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you have an adapted vehicle or any sort of your driving experience was a little different, call ahead of time to see if there is any additional documentation you need (I went back and looked, and that part of the website was down. Of course)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make copies of everything and stay organized!!!!! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wish I would’ve asked for a copy of the form before they took it away (But I thought I was getting the same one back) JUST SCAN OR MAKE COPIES. After my first trip, I just kept the documents I knew had the correct information so if I did have time to go back, I could just grab my “DMV packet!” It saved everyone time once got there.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep your cool. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Whether TSA or the DMV, if there are added steps for you, even if you are annoyed, take a deep breath and be clear on what you need to do. It’s ok to mention there are gaps in the process or how it can be improved, but leave with a smile or at least a “Thank you.” and you’re more likely to get what you need eventually.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DIY. Always. If you want something done right the first (or second time) DO IT YOURSELF</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Clearly my PCP who I was meeting for the first time is not going to know about my car in Maine. Write the exact language you want them to put on the form, this goes for any sort of eligibility requests, or Medical Necessity as well. Any guidance you can provide, saves them a lot of time and will get you your form back a lot quicker. If you don’t know the language to use, find an advocate or someone who can help you make sure you’re “playing the game” correctly. Hit me up, I minored in this!</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DON’T GIVE UP. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Seriously. Cheesy as it sounds. Figure out what you need, and the people who can help you get it, and keep at it. The system is broken, but we can’t let it win. I will definitely be writing a letter, since if that form had been on the website, it would have made my life a lot easier, but ultimately I got what I came here for, and I can now take a deep breath and enjoy my new Colorado life. </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztmxP1YJ6oErucvFJkadQH4n8XnIB3o-3G6lLlNLrv9tF7kuCeDTBDWycbuoLihlvIzl67ThxtQiwA9Ycs0wcK5DqL7fy21z5xQi5-7jssgVEY25XVIouyrx1vxrgU-MypmpvQw/s1600/license+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztmxP1YJ6oErucvFJkadQH4n8XnIB3o-3G6lLlNLrv9tF7kuCeDTBDWycbuoLihlvIzl67ThxtQiwA9Ycs0wcK5DqL7fy21z5xQi5-7jssgVEY25XVIouyrx1vxrgU-MypmpvQw/s400/license+.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All in a day’s work! </span><br />
<br />Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-85735985329731854042016-04-06T11:22:00.000-04:002016-04-06T11:30:45.586-04:00National Walking Day<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Sometimes change
is small, but sometimes it’s easy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">I
never used to be so aware of the micro inequities that exist in our
society. I knew that some people had it
easier than others, but I just accepted the fact, maybe life isn’t fair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Thanks to public
health, now I’m aware of every inequity.
But I also can name it. That’s why
when something like National Walking Day came across my desk, I couldn’t help
but think what a (ridiculous) archaic, ableist event to be a part of National
Public Health Week. Ok, I get that it
has good intentions, and everyone needs to think about physical activity but
what a way to blatantly exclude and diminish, those individuals who might get
around in a way that is different than most people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">When I saw the
announcement for the events around National Walking Day that our state health
department was putting on, I became my angry advocate self. I bitched about it on social media for a bit,
and then, I switched into real advocate mode and I TOOK ACTION. I went down the hall to the office of my dear
friend who spent some time as the director of health equity, and I said, “Tell
me. Am I completely over-reacting, or
can we do something about this?” <br />
<br />
She asked me what I thought we should do to make it more inclusive, or if I
thought we should cancel it all together.
While in the grand scheme of things I think the day should be completely
rebranded and I despise the platform <i>sitting
is the new smoking</i>, I said, “I think even just adding a sentence welcoming
all abilities would make a huge difference.”
She advised me to draft an amendment to the announcement and who I
should send it to. So I did. And then I
procrastinated. I started to talk myself
out of it and feel ultimately defeated by the system because it was just one of
those days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Then on National
Walking Day Eve, I decided to put my big girl pants on (which happen to be pink
Aeropostale sweatpants, in case anyone was wondering) and I sent an email, with
my attached amendment. I said that as
the state health department we should always be viewing things through a health
equity lens and think about making our wellness opportunities FEEL welcoming to
all Coloradans. Within the hour my
thoughts were validated that I was 100% correct and they would include my
language in the next day’s announcement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoT93k5v1-ayuPgfSXbcGhESloRfCLja_QLRrTMkbdJZwTeQYN_298_8jsCwZZBxjbpkooyiEODf4_68DejCEEPbXx4t0nYQEP-a2cXBQOrEF0E8BRJrSj4iW4sd5Gg7eVyF2Ow/s1600/Todays+broadcast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoT93k5v1-ayuPgfSXbcGhESloRfCLja_QLRrTMkbdJZwTeQYN_298_8jsCwZZBxjbpkooyiEODf4_68DejCEEPbXx4t0nYQEP-a2cXBQOrEF0E8BRJrSj4iW4sd5Gg7eVyF2Ow/s640/Todays+broadcast.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">This morning,
after the announcement went out, the person who sends it, who also is the
director of wellness and physical activity or something, wrote to me, and said “That
is such great language, do you mind if we share it with our partners at the
<a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/" target="_blank">American Heart Association</a>?” Um. K.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">I know that I
will not get credit for writing one sentence that will be used nationally, but
it makes me happy to know that I have shifted some perspectives and maybe
started a movement at least within our department, and hopefully people will
see me as a “resource” and someone they can turn to to make sure all
communications sound inclusive, and all of our people can be given
opportunities to improve their health and wellness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">And there you
have it. I did a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Happy National
Walking Day all. However you may choose
to celebrate it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-24517591414416069792016-03-26T17:10:00.002-04:002016-03-26T17:15:21.166-04:00Everything is Your Business<div class="MsoNormal">
Good morning loves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Denver, happy snow day number 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I apologize that we brought the beautiful
Boston weather with us, for this spring blizzard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we also brought the Super Bowl win,
so you have to take the bad with the good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYQnfYaYMkqMyJc6A5zxXmO4lOTS2ttpvVJ6oBFOOVEzKBPTWrYLND_Jlx7YbZuf9RXeRsKHogHMhVJRzc9JdJu-M-RKdPqhd5aD3H5Kuot0pvM9hVJlqMOfdnN7PBz195CUevg/s1600/IMG_5835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYQnfYaYMkqMyJc6A5zxXmO4lOTS2ttpvVJ6oBFOOVEzKBPTWrYLND_Jlx7YbZuf9RXeRsKHogHMhVJRzc9JdJu-M-RKdPqhd5aD3H5Kuot0pvM9hVJlqMOfdnN7PBz195CUevg/s400/IMG_5835.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, it’s 13 inches, not 108, and you can see the
sidewalks… so consider yourself lucky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwYe1yYn_4HOTOQSBI-kviUSgy3BYjbj9lRt63ojfViWkYXr8shy6X_1HsIge0nn1PnARHNDPYnvwDNE-NjZDqAXPPsU8reEZlzmpf4nh2169NIyY2VcJ8DOIxELuQwpojRIj4Q/s1600/snow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwYe1yYn_4HOTOQSBI-kviUSgy3BYjbj9lRt63ojfViWkYXr8shy6X_1HsIge0nn1PnARHNDPYnvwDNE-NjZDqAXPPsU8reEZlzmpf4nh2169NIyY2VcJ8DOIxELuQwpojRIj4Q/s400/snow+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jLeoz4fiDXXQr9yScq3kRJyJso05dqYA2Y8LZWYKIjA8vc7i_wGQ3GfIE9_S7Tx3YwvhSysEQBRmVatSKcwXbzFE2QEmZNFJTGBYXOvapst-bnRIRd7lasJ21Vt5i1GXXGTDmw/s1600/snow+denver+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jLeoz4fiDXXQr9yScq3kRJyJso05dqYA2Y8LZWYKIjA8vc7i_wGQ3GfIE9_S7Tx3YwvhSysEQBRmVatSKcwXbzFE2QEmZNFJTGBYXOvapst-bnRIRd7lasJ21Vt5i1GXXGTDmw/s400/snow+denver+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy 2016!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again,
time has flown, but I’ve been itching to write a blog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is wonderful, and I know 2016 is going
to be a year of growth, excitement and continuing to figure out this
“adulting” thing, as we go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A big part of that will be figuring out my work life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As many of you know, I have done a lot of
things over the years in terms of travel, speaking, and consulting around the
topic of health care transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
always joke that my career has been built on what people wanted me to do, and
would pay me to do (isn’t that what consulting is?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I finally made it official, and am now
I certified LLC in the state of Colorado.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">I’m a small business baby!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since taking that plunge, I have been thinking a lot about
what that means, and what I want it to mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>MCH, and healthcare transition is a pretty unique niche, and often, one
without a lot of funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really
hoping to expand my brand, <a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.com/">Curb Cuts
and Cocktails</a> and explore what it really can be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been attending a lot of networking
events and am super excited to be a part of the business community in my new
city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also recently completed an
<a href="https://barvirgin.com/" target="_blank">online bartending certificate</a>, because it’s on my bucket list, and I kind of
want to prove I have more skills than just public health!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never hurts to have quite a few tools in
your belt right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_ZY9iqnbMw-EZGrri01ApftorXAcoMf0uH1s_Ts-oGh2SVOCa8yzkHs3Jy93A0xuxiOk_p7bsIyb5PUA_Klc2wjA9xokq6o6VqNgP3wF7t3aZej486YnDJqDWd50YWs645bXVw/s1600/IMG_4918+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_ZY9iqnbMw-EZGrri01ApftorXAcoMf0uH1s_Ts-oGh2SVOCa8yzkHs3Jy93A0xuxiOk_p7bsIyb5PUA_Klc2wjA9xokq6o6VqNgP3wF7t3aZej486YnDJqDWd50YWs645bXVw/s400/IMG_4918+-+Version+2.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few years ago, I re-launched my blog as a place that I
could connect with my friends and family across the country and be REAL! About
health care, brunch, love, and all that comes with living a fabulous life with
a few added challenges, and I want to take that to the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am beginning to finally think seriously
about writing my book, and one thing that I’ve really been pondering, which
would be a lot more realistic to implement as a short term “deliverable,” is a
podcast!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I used to do <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChzkAvbVTHNVhl1HmH_5XTw">Got Transition
Radio</a>, and although it wasn’t always the most exciting content, I miss
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss having an audience, I miss
having a platform to share my lessons learned, so that others might not have to
go through the same adventures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BUT! It’s time to take it to the next level, have it be <i>my</i>
words, and there is SO much to talk about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I really want advice on, is where is the story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do YOU want to hear about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we can totally talk about healthcare,
because, I can’t deny it, it’s a big part of my life, but it’s definitely not
the most fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can talk about beauty,
brunch, love, snow, crazy things people say to me on the bus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You name it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me know what you think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Send me a message, a text, or <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SXDYGSK" target="_blank">fill out this poll</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll update soon
with where things might be going. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is just the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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xoxo<o:p></o:p></div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-3549337237848468442015-10-12T11:46:00.000-04:002015-10-12T11:46:46.360-04:00She Needs Wide Open Spaces<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello from yet another unintentional blogging hiatus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have wanted to write for some time now, but
you know… life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I actually had to laugh because I was reading <a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.blogspot.com/2015/02/bosnow.html" target="_blank">old entries from last winter</a>, and I shared my frustration with the people who kept telling
us, if we didn’t like the weather in Boston, “just move.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Well, SURPRISE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
did.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Greetings, from the Mile High City, Denver Colorado, for the
next chapter of this journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprMHpVpUwsQ1k5qxnQobeUVcnYGhAZzucp8vvi8vWjuHCnfF7ZNutCM2yAnYrlvO-m7QbL2Wm0Z0meUFPGgfU79H-7VAan68cpGQqdePtLuCfpSrsgYLsoIObU56KJTgRpXI88w/s1600/IMG_4728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprMHpVpUwsQ1k5qxnQobeUVcnYGhAZzucp8vvi8vWjuHCnfF7ZNutCM2yAnYrlvO-m7QbL2Wm0Z0meUFPGgfU79H-7VAan68cpGQqdePtLuCfpSrsgYLsoIObU56KJTgRpXI88w/s640/IMG_4728.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
So here’s what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After that cathartic, terrible, eye opening winter in Boston, we
realized that our lives were just not what we wanted them to be in that city.
It wasn’t anyone’s fault, it just turned out to be a lot more than we bargained
for, without a lot of pay off (aka, things that made us happy, to balance out
the crappier parts)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another thing that happened, which I will be transparent
about, because I don’t think we do enough of that when talking about
transition- is that we actually couldn’t really afford to stay in Boston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I graduated, we got the letter that
they were raising our rent (as well as taking away things we had, charging for
others, etc. but that’s another blog) Owen and I had talked about what we were
going to do after I graduated, and although we did not want to “settle,” in
Boston, we figured we might be able to make due for another year until we had a
reason to relocate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the letter
came, saying that they wanted us to pay $1950 (with nothing included) for our
tiny studio, we made the decision to not sign the lease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t know what that meant, or where we
would go, but it was the kick in the butt we needed to realize we actually
didn’t WANT to stay in Boston.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpujuEUN3tFsTetee3qw0K2YqpFITaz5aSR9RUeDdAnIbx-cGMRNLU40gCS4a4QEYjn-mbplb_liNiUXp9L_sztOqFOGo2xNcDCEtKaJcbJBxjMb000atLbk3-qmWrCqTKvV49w/s1600/IMG_4253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpujuEUN3tFsTetee3qw0K2YqpFITaz5aSR9RUeDdAnIbx-cGMRNLU40gCS4a4QEYjn-mbplb_liNiUXp9L_sztOqFOGo2xNcDCEtKaJcbJBxjMb000atLbk3-qmWrCqTKvV49w/s320/IMG_4253.jpg" width="240" /></a>To dart around a little bit, after we attended AMCHP in
January, before Snowmageddon hit, I began to see that I had options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MCH was my home, my family, and although
there were times I actually didn’t <i>feel</i> wanted or needed in Boston, people elsewhere
seemed pretty interested that I was graduating in May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Not to toot my own horn, but Owen compared it
to the NFL draft <b>(toot, toot)</b>.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I had been to Denver before, actually it was four years
ago today that I was here for some transition work, and met some of the people
I’d ultimately be working with (small world), and we had sort of been joking
about Team Denver for some time, but after the conference, I really started
thinking about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>The weather is better</li>
<li>Closer to Owen’s family, and lifestyle (Boston doesn’t know
much in the way of hunting, etc.)</li>
<li>Amazing support system</li>
<li>Good health care</li>
<li>Good economy (thanks weed)</li>
<li>Potential job opportunities</li>
<li>Decent transportation</li>
<li>Nobody we talked to had a single negative thing to say about Denver (some people
actually said it’s the best city in the world.
When we told people we were moving to Boston they asked if we were
crazy)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon, when people asked what I was doing after graduation, I
found myself saying “I think we’re moving to Colorado!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I even realized the words were coming
out of my mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The other thing I have to laugh about, is that, in my
speeches about transition, I always say how, “We don’t have the luxury of just
going somewhere and ‘figuring it out.” Like many young people who simply want
to move somewhere, but once again, that’s exactly what we did.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After recovering from a vacation, and multiple graduations,
we took the plunge and booked a trip to Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We packed clothes for potential interviews, slept on my best friend’s
couch and checked it out for the week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People once again, laughed and said, “Oh cool, you’re going
to out there for a week and find a job, and a place to live?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and HA. HA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>WE DID.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, not exactly- we didn’t get the first apartment we wanted
(transition transparency) because it was a little out of our price range just
starting out, but when we got home, we put down a deposit on a studio in the
building we had just stayed in and ended up getting approved- ON OUR VERY OWN
(without a co-signer) It was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A BREEZE,
compared to finding housing in Boston (when I was terrified we actually were
adopting a child…there was so much money, paperwork and screening involved)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Here's the before and "after," of our new apartment!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/085Zn7eJJaM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/085Zn7eJJaM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GVQykNJMCqg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GVQykNJMCqg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And after some meetings while we were there, I had a job
description in my inbox for a position at the Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to take
it as a sign that it was meant to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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There are a lot of things I want to write about, but I
wanted to just let people know WE JUST MOVED before going forward writing about
our life here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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The weirdest thing about this move has really been how I
have felt about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason,
leaving Boston, I keep having to tell myself, “you have not failed. You are not
letting people down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason it
feels like a foreign concept to people when you say, “We moved because we
weren’t happy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that since we
had an apartment and jobs, we should have been content. Why leave?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But one of my mentors who kept me moving forward in the
job hunt/grad school/life in Boston thing, said as I was contemplating this
transition, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“You have not failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
actually have achieved ultimate success because you can CHOOSE to really go
anywhere and you have built those networks. Nobody else did that for you.”</i><i> </i> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I began to see it differently.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It still feels weird sometimes though, because Boston was
everything I THOUGHT I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
life that the “old me,” had created, full of things I thought I wanted to do
and changes that the world was not ready to make.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hardest part of leaving Boston wasn’t about leaving that
studio apartment in Allston, or selling our Bob’s discount furniture, it has
been about accepting who I am not, and who I really am as I continue to grow up
and create my life with Owen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I achieved
my dream, only to realize it was not the dream I wanted anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, as I sit here, in a new, much bigger studio, with my
pumpkin spice coffee and the sun shining in the window, I realize, the dream is
really just beginning, and for the first time, in a really long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-89324256579959776562015-05-16T22:01:00.000-04:002015-05-16T22:01:14.143-04:00Mallory Cyr, MPH<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, I graduated. I
graduated with my Master’s Degree in public health from Boston University. Not “regular” graduated, but graduated from
overpriced extra college, from one of <a href="http://www.bu.edu/sph/2015/03/10/sph-ranked-as-top-10-public-health-school-by-u-s-news-world-report/">the
top Public Health schools</a> in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I joke that it was not challenging, because
academically, a lot of the content I already was familiar with because of my
national MCH role, it actually was pretty tough at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you do a multi linear regression? Ok.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But for me it was about so much more than a few biostats
equations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggled a lot with WHY I
was doing this, which many of you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last weekend, a dear friend and colleague of mine, a “title V mom,”
posted on Facebook about how much it meant to her to see other families share
the milestones of their young people because it was an image of hope, and of
what could be possible for her child, and for others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And all of a sudden I remembered why I got myself into this
situation in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
about me. (Really, I swear).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, at graduation, our speaker, <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Monica
Bharel, the Public Health Commissioner, for the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health, said, “Choose courage, Choose hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose selflessness.” And had us think about
“What are you passionate about?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(My
answer was, “Nothing. I shouldn’t be here.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>then helped us define that by asking “What makes you angry?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>….and the list flowed in my brain. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmp6pLOvryUZIdgLH9jByoAZtS7pKrcXeLWvCaE1JzifnZbRngPVcSRk8jFSJK7I-r58SgdvIjb73Nbair1jBX0tHsH7MVEMfGIFO8HNxuirtPAHV5ur7GstooYdLGEXT6b9W3Q/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmp6pLOvryUZIdgLH9jByoAZtS7pKrcXeLWvCaE1JzifnZbRngPVcSRk8jFSJK7I-r58SgdvIjb73Nbair1jBX0tHsH7MVEMfGIFO8HNxuirtPAHV5ur7GstooYdLGEXT6b9W3Q/s400/IMG_2747.JPG" width="356" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remembered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did this, to show the potential of young people no matter their
limitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the façade fall aside,
it SUCKED so hard sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried, I
hated it. I questioned my choices on many, many occasions. I thought about
quitting and just moving home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
about “What would happen if I went home and just stopped replying to
e-mails.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then… I would get a
message from one of “my young people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the selected for Dumbledore’s Army, simply asking about how to
succeed in a class in which the teacher was not accommodating, or wondering what
to do after graduation because they had real hopes and dreams that others did
not support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaqO1YfXH-mCeTxUt5L-wquEBzYjMgS2Q5LFKvTY6CxHtpuKk1v2Y7J63LrGS8xCYsS015pHDhuKnObCYrk2kUi303gXYu15-ONFa_Nb2u_BDNHfvd5UuRszwOZM21Eu4kO2mhw/s1600/IMG_2750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaqO1YfXH-mCeTxUt5L-wquEBzYjMgS2Q5LFKvTY6CxHtpuKk1v2Y7J63LrGS8xCYsS015pHDhuKnObCYrk2kUi303gXYu15-ONFa_Nb2u_BDNHfvd5UuRszwOZM21Eu4kO2mhw/s320/IMG_2750.jpg" width="259" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">I am here, and I did this, WE did this, to show
it’s POSSIBLE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With love, strength,
support, work, and determination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can
be done. I also want to mention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
the time I was in school, Owen and I had no formal assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had no PCA’s, no nursing help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked multiple jobs, and truly did this
independently (except for the endless love and support from our networks and
friends and families)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want the lessons that we learned to serve as
a beacon, a tool, an “inspiration,” to show others what can be possible for
them, or their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes me
mad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When those amazing people are told
they can’t, or even just made to think they can’t. And you know what else I
realized, sitting there today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
person who EVER told me I can’t…. was me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now… I don’t believe that either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cause I DID IT.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The final part of my graduation ceremony, our
incredible associate dean, asked us to accept the charge of being world
changing MPH’ers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I closed my eyes, and
thought about if I really, truly was ready to accept the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked us, “Do you promise to use your new
passion, energy, and knowledge to create a healthier world?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we all looked at each other and muttered
“I will.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at the faculty and
said, “They don’t believe you. No… actually. We KNOW you will, but we need you
to know you will.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stood quietly, and the tears came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past three years I have asked myself
this same question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I make a difference?
Do I want to make a difference?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moments before I marched into the arena, my
best friend, and counterpart, just beginning the journey towards her MPH, wrote
on my Facebook newsfeed, “You changed my life Mal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#forgood.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I knew, I was ready to accept the charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all shouted and cheered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will!!!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Was this my “dream?” No… not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But life is what happens when you are making
other plans, and I believe in the universe, and that I was brought here for a
reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working to make sure that
my dreams align with what the universe has in store for me, and THAT is my
passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is my charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I move forward with my incredibly hard
earned MPH, I hope ALL young people have the strength and courage to think
about what makes them want to get up in the morning, that they can laugh when
things get tough, or know that they are loved, and valued and wanted no matter
what they do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfBeG5IPBMEzjxxFZt3cH3tjFRTv7-B3Xxi-2BNXLFVB2H8bPS36eN6gxZCwMVZB5S3F95W6YzXTp4gBORT9x3QYaQiKA1v8llCaHPh_a-0JHDdtbagVYEQlfj8tui7yMwO43-g/s1600/IMG_2755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfBeG5IPBMEzjxxFZt3cH3tjFRTv7-B3Xxi-2BNXLFVB2H8bPS36eN6gxZCwMVZB5S3F95W6YzXTp4gBORT9x3QYaQiKA1v8llCaHPh_a-0JHDdtbagVYEQlfj8tui7yMwO43-g/s640/IMG_2755.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just because my path is not mentioned in a
speech does not make it less important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is what has brought me here today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So for all of you, who believed in me, and who
believe in your own children no matter how terrified you may be for them to take
the Next Step, this degree is for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It truly, truly is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlBdx8lYkPSh4GzAFhbuDMjAzxDFLPbv9a0lYH9NFFskFPMxHhlquhhGsYpTgZwabVOwK1O2Hc43kPx_UOdsbyy1PyVMebHh_AaOuN8QrysAyuLwBzC0RuYXiFiLg0zvMdg6UYQ/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlBdx8lYkPSh4GzAFhbuDMjAzxDFLPbv9a0lYH9NFFskFPMxHhlquhhGsYpTgZwabVOwK1O2Hc43kPx_UOdsbyy1PyVMebHh_AaOuN8QrysAyuLwBzC0RuYXiFiLg0zvMdg6UYQ/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now let’s get
this MPH Party started.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Mallory H. Cyr, MPH<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I leave you with this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Like a small boat</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">On the ocean</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Sending big waves</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Into motion</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Like how a single word</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Can make a heart open</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">I might only have one match</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">but I can make an explosion</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">And all those things I didn't say</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Wrecking balls inside my brain</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">I will scream them loud tonight</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Can you hear my voice this time</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">This is my fight song</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Take back my life song</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Prove I'm all right song</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">My power's turned on</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Starting right now I'll be strong</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">I'll play my fight song</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">And I don't really care if nobody else believes</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: black; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;">Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3999996185303px; line-height: 19.142858505249px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LVxon65u3tA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LVxon65u3tA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-15784398987622707422015-05-07T07:44:00.004-04:002015-05-07T07:44:43.574-04:00It's over, It's Done.<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yesterday, I got the email from my advisor, closing the door
on the final assignment, my directed study that has taken many different shapes
over three years, and finally became something I was proud of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">“I put the grades in as an A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop the Champagne.”</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So after silently weeping in Barnes and Noble, I did, and it
was the best I’ve ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(no… that’s
not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sparkling wine….but you
get me.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7MCk8hR5ycj2CH4lGmD4JvDGS_LIZeMVZjNRu863jKxSKDrNY-NH7wqfS4ojHVbnGv7SdbyHGLuhjgTntJDHV2NXRxHT4BYH7MiRhWn41fhzY4Pe2Gl51rBqUHyoSNYnVp0ttA/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7MCk8hR5ycj2CH4lGmD4JvDGS_LIZeMVZjNRu863jKxSKDrNY-NH7wqfS4ojHVbnGv7SdbyHGLuhjgTntJDHV2NXRxHT4BYH7MiRhWn41fhzY4Pe2Gl51rBqUHyoSNYnVp0ttA/s320/IMG_2562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It doesn’t feel real yet, that this journey I began three
years ago, eager and excited, is coming to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>GRADUATION is next Saturday, my regalia is being altered by a dear
friend (who also happened to <a href="http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20111222/News/312229490" target="_blank">decorate the White House for Christmas</a>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the most urgent thing on my to do list is
to get my hair done and pack for VACATION.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Cyrs are finally celebrating all there is to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before my graduation, my baby sister is
graduating with her bachelor’s in Sociology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am so freaking proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
going to be Graduation x 2 weekends, then off to the Hard Rock in Orlando to
get our Hogwarts on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really am not at the point of being able to form many coherent
thoughts right now, as the feels are taking over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be a lot more big announcements
coming up, but for now I am just savoring these moments of being a graduate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A day I really thought would never come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawwOpmDX64bd1Am3FKyTKEsUywdohKXB1EUAtR5UNWt6Iri64ClF2CjBbQVE5wId4mWzIWqzvU_Q-J9l1Pv-rzkxCqVEBp9P5NPwCTakcKiTRvmiik9C6945xp45Bs12Q8PqCWA/s1600/IMG_2486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawwOpmDX64bd1Am3FKyTKEsUywdohKXB1EUAtR5UNWt6Iri64ClF2CjBbQVE5wId4mWzIWqzvU_Q-J9l1Pv-rzkxCqVEBp9P5NPwCTakcKiTRvmiik9C6945xp45Bs12Q8PqCWA/s320/IMG_2486.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My route to this degree was not totally traditional, and
truthfully, the biggest struggle was not academically, but figuring out how to
do it all, how to get from point A to point B, and not letting it all drive me
to the point of no return. I hit some really dark times during this
program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to quit
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never wanted to hear the
words MCH, or public health ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to pass the
torch, throw it at whoever cared, because I just didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But during those times, I discovered just how amazing the
people at BUSPH really are (no they didn’t pay me to say this)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They listened to me, they asked me “Whoa…
what is really going on?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of
just wanting me to get through the assignments, they really CARED how it was
impacting me, and my psyche, and my identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that in itself made me want to succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As it typically happens, when the snow began to melt, my
soul settled, and began to remember why I was here, and even bigger, from here
on out, that the journey is <i>mine</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
brought to this point, by the work I have done and the people I knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned a lot, and now it’s time to stop
once again and figure out what’s next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not based on what people want me to do, but what I want to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s probably the scariest part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But also thrilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the first time, when the
transition grant ended and I had to make these same choices of what was next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was making them alone, from the safety of
my parent’s house in Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stakes
are a little higher now, but I’m a “little bit older, a little bit wiser <span style="font-size: x-small;">(JRB)</span>”
and feel excited about the idea of the world being my oyster again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But you know what’s pretty cool? Although we could all
evaluate the academics, and the structure of the program at BUSPH (or anywhere
into which you are putting ridiculous amounts of money to further your
education),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I FEEL smarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About life, about MCH, about research…</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS-EjLUDnCsLeSCOXQcLW5anPPDoXY5x1gq_hOn4JRljrt5twcfAbQCFdl_Cr92Mmfxqa6zmt_hxmm1yiz38CzbRFv0m8LHd0OweayETz2GqboPIYMq_aN28QRSB7VxgeggFXbQ/s1600/IMG_6624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS-EjLUDnCsLeSCOXQcLW5anPPDoXY5x1gq_hOn4JRljrt5twcfAbQCFdl_Cr92Mmfxqa6zmt_hxmm1yiz38CzbRFv0m8LHd0OweayETz2GqboPIYMq_aN28QRSB7VxgeggFXbQ/s400/IMG_6624.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not for nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So THANK YOU.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to my family, who banded together when times got
so rough we all didn’t know how we could go on, and who celebrated every small
victory along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNo3LqqJSzZ-kog8OqbFQHfIOWhh0aX7DfqEQU9KPXdJYruQJsGa3opOmKEdl-6Q6rh2WBpAdFKz6q68qAMvraRWJhqaDe4fetGqkODVpCq8PIL6W_MslxfE_OrLuZdigzJhIfw/s1600/family+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNo3LqqJSzZ-kog8OqbFQHfIOWhh0aX7DfqEQU9KPXdJYruQJsGa3opOmKEdl-6Q6rh2WBpAdFKz6q68qAMvraRWJhqaDe4fetGqkODVpCq8PIL6W_MslxfE_OrLuZdigzJhIfw/s400/family+pic.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to my other family at BUSPH (who saw me more than
my real family) for supporting me to say all the things that need to be said,
and helping me to explore where I fit into this crazy MCH world<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdQaUE73aYDv6oqbks40cDW3DjmetKbpyLd0qvSKgFiwsCclP43AJ-Xm4-r9XFUJUVFWT_jYjV1Mt5f56t3pE9zPK4j8MFxR_1MfoUtAli5lXBwATe2YBad9JeOaH4E3r2UmmwA/s1600/IMG_2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdQaUE73aYDv6oqbks40cDW3DjmetKbpyLd0qvSKgFiwsCclP43AJ-Xm4-r9XFUJUVFWT_jYjV1Mt5f56t3pE9zPK4j8MFxR_1MfoUtAli5lXBwATe2YBad9JeOaH4E3r2UmmwA/s320/IMG_2546.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8K2PE2mDIXeRIWssBdhDVtvNpDzxrTvGKLvDBKp1uZ87rH9dPrHcDoVb3WzgO2fj9m71FX49_H4_rzzOZTAbHHNPH10l703oK47bCRQIvQDRzhlJi6L9Jh8B2ZkUmem23HkJJQ/s1600/IMG_2143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8K2PE2mDIXeRIWssBdhDVtvNpDzxrTvGKLvDBKp1uZ87rH9dPrHcDoVb3WzgO2fj9m71FX49_H4_rzzOZTAbHHNPH10l703oK47bCRQIvQDRzhlJi6L9Jh8B2ZkUmem23HkJJQ/s320/IMG_2143.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to my job for being supportive when I had to be
three places in one day and had to work virtually for a month due to
Snowmagedon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And thank you most of all to my love, my partner, my
colleague in this journey (not fight… I refuse to say it’s a fight) for
reminding me that I can do it, and that I’m smart, and beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when I have resorted to using dry
shampoo because when you don’t shower, you get to work earlier).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For having dinner on the table when I have
existed on yogurt, and Peet’s coffee for the entire day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For videoing my presentations even though
he’s heard them a hundred times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For
eating excessive amount of thai food because sometimes all I want is noodles (like
every day).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But ultimately, for leaving behind everything he knew, to be
by my side on this journey, which probably we can file under the hardest years
of our lives (I hope), for braving a historical winter, a terrorist attack,
earthquakes, hurricanes, weddings, deaths, and everything in between.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_7A2nRq6YhBV1y8Gs1C-R1JU5f88xj-vqIk_muAsWRiw58Xz4siIOX2dCramQOrdj4SnJQxhVIoABxUNnP9iDulmUa4u_mg0WgrVbS9crTeKcCfXZzTXQVdcuV0O9xSX0XUPhw/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_7A2nRq6YhBV1y8Gs1C-R1JU5f88xj-vqIk_muAsWRiw58Xz4siIOX2dCramQOrdj4SnJQxhVIoABxUNnP9iDulmUa4u_mg0WgrVbS9crTeKcCfXZzTXQVdcuV0O9xSX0XUPhw/s320/IMG_1168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XiMo0-B8e5npsngI4wJmD4rHGtsl68Zzy-AkC6meEqvtX3GNolj4gIjzZm-ocZlXqnaK0tttTSSxV5x5ugnO8FBNIjrvYebpkwhu2fNNtgcYqdBqE8_0bmJiEg5_FEenodTNBA/s1600/IMG_2144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XiMo0-B8e5npsngI4wJmD4rHGtsl68Zzy-AkC6meEqvtX3GNolj4gIjzZm-ocZlXqnaK0tttTSSxV5x5ugnO8FBNIjrvYebpkwhu2fNNtgcYqdBqE8_0bmJiEg5_FEenodTNBA/s320/IMG_2144.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MTmg5CQTE1WSeDk0M7epjVpSzE36EfNlTGsKgBXowHAqzUgSfcZ0WsZ0YOk8iomMvlg1JO2x55d-KKYXgqR0a1mRYv66BHuyVJ52N2HKWU1CThnu7QVtHORd3PwFFfcXKhC-rA/s1600/mal+owen+nashville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MTmg5CQTE1WSeDk0M7epjVpSzE36EfNlTGsKgBXowHAqzUgSfcZ0WsZ0YOk8iomMvlg1JO2x55d-KKYXgqR0a1mRYv66BHuyVJ52N2HKWU1CThnu7QVtHORd3PwFFfcXKhC-rA/s320/mal+owen+nashville.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-38041088989406663852015-03-18T07:03:00.000-04:002015-03-18T07:03:34.453-04:00Happy Bloggiversary!It was a year ago earlier this week that I relaunched my blog as <a href="http://curbcutsandcocktails.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-bloggitude-and-true-confessions.html" target="_blank">the new, Curb Cuts and Cocktails</a>, and "came out," as someone who was pretty confused about what she had gotten herself into! It really feels like just yesterday I took the bold step to start writing as who I really am, instead of who I thought the internet, and the world wanted me to be.<br />
<br />
After that post, I made a vow to move forward with my work, education, and life, as authentically as possibly, and I must say, while it has not always been easy, it has been awesome. I feel like I have done better in my education, work, and everything else. I just feel LIGHTER.<br />
<br />
Last month, while Owen and I were cooped up due to the snowiest winter in the history of Boston, I began writing. Like really writing- beyond blogging. It is going to be for one of my final projects for school, but I believe it also has the potential to be much more. I submitted to my advisor, fifty pages, single spaced, just the tip of the iceberg of what we have experienced moving here. I realized it was the first time I have really begun to process the whole experience in its entirety. It was exhausting, emotional, but also cathartic as I realized how much I have overcome, and I'm not entirely crazy for having some fear and anxiety moving forward.<br />
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Just wow. <br />
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So in celebration of the 1 year anniversary, and the snow finally melting, Owen and I decided to do a follow up video blog to<a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/02/allston_couple_confined_by_snowy_icy_sidewalks" target="_blank"> the brief story the Boston Herald did on us </a>at the end of February. There is too much that needs to be said to let someone tell the story.<br />
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I have been thinking about doing some more video blogs. If you follow my Yoututbe channel, you'll know this is something I used to do quite frequently, as I was home and had endless amounts of time to talk to a screen, because that's where my friends lived. I also have realized I have acquired quite a list of questions that I have gotten from young adults, providers and all kinds of different people just about how we live our lives- so maybe it's time to relaunch "Ask Mal," (also, they're just super fun to do! So if this is something my readers would be interested in, do let me know! Who knows what spring could bring.<br />
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Regardless of what's to come, thanks for hanging in there with me through all of this existential nonsense! It sure has been a ride hasn't it?<br />
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Here's to many more blogtastic years!!!<br />
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xoxoPrincess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-86147283692502178332015-02-28T10:31:00.002-05:002015-02-28T10:31:55.914-05:00Come at me #RareDiseaseDay<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s Saturday morning, and I’m making pancakes. As I’m stirring the batter, my IV pump beeps
at me, nagging for my attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s Saturday morning, and I’m making pancakes, that people
never believed I would eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of
the day will be spent celebrating the birthday of my boyfriend of three years, and undoubtedly
working on homework for classes to make sure I graduate with my master’s degree
in May, as I’m anticipating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milestones
that we were told I would never meet because I wouldn’t see a birthday after I
turned two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp24FNEqrZc5phduRD3e4wJw9LcJOxL7epaQYpdkl1dar4_ytkLcRbhNYn31rcfl4E3SB33QlPaF8p85ZfuQX8n7J_MDcVJMTdrKXAXfVSKM-Q84BK8a96tIONlSODKlzQS8yvAQ/s1600/mal+Boston+bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp24FNEqrZc5phduRD3e4wJw9LcJOxL7epaQYpdkl1dar4_ytkLcRbhNYn31rcfl4E3SB33QlPaF8p85ZfuQX8n7J_MDcVJMTdrKXAXfVSKM-Q84BK8a96tIONlSODKlzQS8yvAQ/s1600/mal+Boston+bb.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YAQuSnf7P5rHu6QUU8MJOQLWDmgjdUZ2bzJNQeeHFjMdghxK7Y0agDmXUKFE28iSxAGKQHgTAnm2IO4GyDvZNQvGqnHAZdh6hsFap-O13w0dNPnGp32KsgWjxAYwtHmfec5XXg/s1600/BU+profile+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YAQuSnf7P5rHu6QUU8MJOQLWDmgjdUZ2bzJNQeeHFjMdghxK7Y0agDmXUKFE28iSxAGKQHgTAnm2IO4GyDvZNQvGqnHAZdh6hsFap-O13w0dNPnGp32KsgWjxAYwtHmfec5XXg/s1600/BU+profile+pic.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is also “International Rare Disease Day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are all supposed to “raise awareness" on this day about illnesses that don’t roll of the tongue quite as easily as
cancer, or tend to get resources, support, or even diagnoses sometimes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t quit explain it, but stuff this puts a gross taste
in my mouth (you’re supposed to find an “event” in your area, to “celebrate”
Rare disease day? What?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No offense to those who are all about it, and the cheerful,
colorful logo, that makes having a rare disease look like an invitation to
Mardi Gras, and sorry to use the phrase, but:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I literally just
can’t even.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think part of it is that my life has become devoted to
raising awareness, of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERY
DAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then all of a sudden there is one
day, and people are supposed to listen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then they can go back to their own typically developing life and go
“wow, I didn’t even know half that stuff existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glad that’s not my life/my child, etc.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other thing is, my “messaging/personal brand/identity/whatever,”
is based on the fact that I don’t spend time dwelling on how aware I am of my
rare disease, CAUSE TRUST ME, I AM AWARE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a huge part of my identity, but at the end of the day, it is NOT
who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also tend not to jump on the
“disability/chronic disease pride,” wagon, and you will not catch me posting
photos of my central line, or medical accessories on THE INTERNET on “tube
feeding awareness day,” or whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because, I believe I can create awareness without me showing my body (or anyone else's) in
ways others would not (unless they were getting paid mad money-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s on my CHEST, get me?) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrNkxKQjHfVgcPUAsqq6svtSxtdyiXd4vOOVnu3BqMpYkJrvNLMF2pr2ysM0PiCgZsWRGnSJgt3c1gzMMIgpNlTKsPJjj2wcLwE2u8zAqL_hla8NAL9jwPYlDPVMgJ1tzGnt-xw/s1600/IMG_7115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrNkxKQjHfVgcPUAsqq6svtSxtdyiXd4vOOVnu3BqMpYkJrvNLMF2pr2ysM0PiCgZsWRGnSJgt3c1gzMMIgpNlTKsPJjj2wcLwE2u8zAqL_hla8NAL9jwPYlDPVMgJ1tzGnt-xw/s1600/IMG_7115.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></span></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not trying to hide anything about my life, but why
should it be the center?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister and I
actually used to photo-shop our central lines out of photos, like other people
remove red eye, or whiten their teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re not denying who we are, but that’s not the point of the
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i>point</i> of the picture is that we’re at the beach,
spending time with friends and family, living our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was younger, I used to play the whole “I wouldn’t
change a thing” game, about my disease, but guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m an adult now, and now that I’m the one
doing everything to manage my health (and insurance coverage) I’d get rid of it
in a heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>It’s bullshit.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, I don’t know who I would be without it, and granted if
it all of a sudden it were gone (without a transplant or anything else that
would ultimately destroy my quality of life…. I mean like a genie came and bam,
it was gone) it would be weird, and I’d have to reassess a lot of things in my
life, because my life, and ultimately my career has been BUILT on advocating
because of my illness, which truthfully, was not my plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I wouldn’t change, is the people in my life, the
opportunities I have had, or the wisdom I have gained because of my
diagnosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy, and honored to
now be able to show the young families and up comers with my disease
(Microvillous Inclusion Disease- Google it, this isn’t a biology lesson) that
there is LIFE after a diagnosis, and it doesn’t have to be a death
sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3_KSvhcBR318iNuCHC8MhEg0p6LEMx5Dzy4sM0qricIwOEKuxkLRSlSqSA5LUYVJVqPewJswkBSqNEdrYZH18ASm4eYVvfSi98f1Zo1OEcBVBZ2t7tUnZ-FN07uHsmanaxwxZw/s1600/mal+red+carpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3_KSvhcBR318iNuCHC8MhEg0p6LEMx5Dzy4sM0qricIwOEKuxkLRSlSqSA5LUYVJVqPewJswkBSqNEdrYZH18ASm4eYVvfSi98f1Zo1OEcBVBZ2t7tUnZ-FN07uHsmanaxwxZw/s1600/mal+red+carpet.jpg" height="400" width="235" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if I didn’t have my “rare disease?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I would still be in my hometown,
living in a trailer with a couple of kids, going through the motions like
everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But maybe, I would have
been able to grow up with even less limitations and I’d be in a different
industry, working for a fashion magazine, sprinting around a city in heels, not
spending my time wondering how I was going to get to the next doctor’s
appointment in 100” of snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
ifs don’t raise awareness, and that’s not my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if
you’ll excuse me, I have to go finish making breakfast, and enjoy my Saturday
before it is time to be aware of my rare disease again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#RareDiseaseDay2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xoxo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also- As I’m posting this entry, my girl Britney’s song “Do
Something,” came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So listen to the
woman and don’t just change your profile picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERY day is time to “raise awareness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">I see you lookin' at me</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Like I'm some kind of freak</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Get up out of your seat</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Why don't ya do somethin'?</span></span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/0V38hAK0C_g/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0V38hAK0C_g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-37815051500423239202015-02-11T00:04:00.000-05:002015-02-11T00:04:20.968-05:00#BOSnow<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
So.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How bout those Patriots huh?<o:p></o:p></div>
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How bout this WINTAH?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IS IT NOT A WICKED PISSAH? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(except…
isn’t that a good thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know
how to New England…)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
But really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s all anyone is talking about, it’s all over the internet, and I feel
like I need to release some sort of statement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When the storm first started, we
actually were in DC at the 2015 AMCHP conference (flashback to 2013 when I left
poor Owen to brave Blizzard Nemo alone…. He knew better this time)</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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The conference itself was
wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost didn’t go, because I
have been trying to distance myself from a lot of things from my past, and the
work that I believed to be that of someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I realized was that, there was a reason
our proposal got accepted, and that our presentation was once again standing
room only, and that as soon as I walked through the door of the Hyatt Regency,
people were asking me the questions that I have been invited all over the
country to answer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
I got to spend so much time with some
of the most powerful, amazing women I know, I got to FINALLY meet my MCH soul
twin, <a href="http://teresaen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teresa</a>, and it was just good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It
was good because for the first time, I was really, and truly, ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I needed to take that AMCHP “gap
year,” to figure out who I am, and where I fit into all of this public health
nonsense, and while I don’t think I have the answers, I know, that I missed “my
people,” and there are folks who share the same beliefs as I do, and can be in
public health and still be REAL and I know… that I can’t run from this work,
that I’m not meant to, and that my message is just coming together, to be
heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In whatever way it’s meant
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll figure it out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
But back to this SNOW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we got stuck in DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily we were able to land our room for
another night, and were safe and cozy in a lovely hotel (my favorite place to
be stuck)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rather than sitting in an
airport with the entire east coast trying to get home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then… we basically have been home.
Since January 28.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been fortunate to be able to
work from home, and the city has actually recognized this weather as being
COMPLETELY ridiculous, and things have been shut down and cancelled (which
didn’t always happen where I used to come from) So it will officially be two
weeks tomorrow- and I left the house twice. Once to go to class, and once to go
to a concert because… Joshua Radin, and $31 tickets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0in;">So being inside for two weeks, I have
come to more conclusions.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Not dark,
twisty conclusions like my last entry, although those were pretty cathartic as
well.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Just conclusions of how I feel
about winter, New England, and people who judge others because of those
feelings.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Snowpocalypse
2015 Conclusions:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- “Stay Warm,” is a perfectly
acceptable e-mail sign off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most likely
we’re all working from home and looking at the piles build up outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solidarity bro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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- Some uber rates are just not worth
going out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never seen a 3.6x uber
price surge before, but with a wind chill warning, 5 degree temperatures, and
completely optional appointments to go to- they’re getting cancelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As sweet as it was for that driver to hold my
hand and assist me over the snow banks to get to the sidewalk to go to class,
I’m sure they much prefer remaining in the vehicle and exchanging a “thanks,
goodbye,” as much as I do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
- There are just certain things people
should resist saying as it does NOT make the situation better, and will mostly
just cause me to feel rage and distain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I am going to take these comments and make them “teaching moments,”
because I am feeling particularly zen right now (probably due to the fact that
I have not been out in Boston public for two weeks).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“You’re from Maine, you must be used to
it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OMG BUT REALLY THOUGH. STFU. You
might as well have just asked me “How’s the weather down there?” I cannot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes. I am “from Maine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got WINTAH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, it sucked
as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the thing though- my
PARENTS MOVED ME TO MAINE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you ask anyone who knows me
(including my parents) they will tell you I was born on the wrong coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask my parents about how impossible it was
for me to walk in the snow, and they used to pull me in the sled until it
tipped over and they had to put me back in in my neon pink snow pants that
barely zipped because they are not made for people with GI issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the time we had an ice storm when we lost
power for a week and had to go live at the hospital because we needed power to
keep our IV pumps running so we could live. Or that time I was in college up
NOHTH, and we would lose power so there was no heat and it was too cold to
shower before class (yea… we were sexy….)<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what’s my point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yea, I’m FROM MAINE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND I LEFT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am not a stranger to snow… but it does NOT mean I ENJOY it anymore
than you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not a four old who
begged my family to bring me to the northern most state because I wanted a pet
moose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sucked there, it sucks here
and no, being from Maine does not make me immune to hypothermia or slipping on
ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t develop a layer of blubber
or thicker body hair to keep warm (although, I think if you stay there long
enough it might be a thing)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so just
STOP. ACKNOWLEDGING I AM FROM MAINE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IT
DOES NOT MELT SNOW.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With that, is the next comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is even more rage inducing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, if you don’t like it, JUST MOVE.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<b>JUST. MOVE. </b></div>
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Ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to take a deep breath
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because. Zen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
Perhaps
you have been living under a rock, and not reading this blog for the last 9
years about how bad I wanted to JUST MOVE.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps
you have the luxury of just packing a suit case and “going to find
yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bet you also have the
luxury of lacing up your bean boots, shoveling your own driveway and braving
the B line with all the other mildly disgruntled commuters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must be nice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIQIUPtooxLXmijlsOKJbmaBSrJtKxv4vnWxZQiyaJJsSGymEvCiel8PzrHMUO6aRHnH53drudu2AG8ls_S7QbYmP0KK2fw_JCdht0unwNmdS1wCerC78WEdtZwa9i2fYqtaJGg/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIQIUPtooxLXmijlsOKJbmaBSrJtKxv4vnWxZQiyaJJsSGymEvCiel8PzrHMUO6aRHnH53drudu2AG8ls_S7QbYmP0KK2fw_JCdht0unwNmdS1wCerC78WEdtZwa9i2fYqtaJGg/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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For those
of you who have been trying to get around the city recently, please imagine
what it must be like for someone who has ANY added challenges. </div>
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The curb cuts
are not accessible, and there is no room to even put the ramps down to get ON
the train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be honest, after the last
couple of weeks, the conversation to relocate has definitely come up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with EVERYTHING that would entail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those other few people who have been
living under a rock…. I happen to work in health care transition and can tell
you. It’s </div>
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<b>NOT. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>That. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<b>Simple.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDXitGZFbUOJfvorOrZJDoQmeHMVLUOU7SCtubr76V6maZHHQJo5DNtHq5JmhZjepjmEzZglVtmfVtmkSxk2U0ojTpiBjqP9heT9Ud7zkOnDcQuQcCI2J8f6tReSU6vC981aE6g/s1600/IMG_1559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDXitGZFbUOJfvorOrZJDoQmeHMVLUOU7SCtubr76V6maZHHQJo5DNtHq5JmhZjepjmEzZglVtmfVtmkSxk2U0ojTpiBjqP9heT9Ud7zkOnDcQuQcCI2J8f6tReSU6vC981aE6g/s1600/IMG_1559.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
The first
person to come at me with a job offer with amazing benefits (who is willing to
accommodate chronic health needs), a ball-busting PCP who believes in medical
home, a fully accessible apartment and 3 months rent for first, last and a
security deposit. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
BY ALL MEANS, we will pack our bags and JUST MOVE. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
SAY THE
WORD. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
But
considering it has taken us about 3 years to even get our ducks in a row living
here, and oh you know, I need to graduate which is why we came here in the
first place, we will be sucking up these last few months of Boston winter and
seeing what the next few months hold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
Considering
everything else we have been through- the last couple weeks seem like a pretty sweet deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
Which
brings me to my last conclusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
The last
couple of weeks have been REALLY NICE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my immune
system is grateful I have not left the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have slept adequately, I have been productive in my work, and
academia, AND I have been able to stay caught with house things like laundry
(which is so quick to do when it’s not piled up the ceiling) and Owen and I have
been able to share dinner, and brunches and laugh, and watch movies, and the
crazy thing is-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WE’RE NOT SICK!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
I have
been able to take care of myself and not feel guilty about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very odd, and NICE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is making me realize that maybe being
Queen of the Universe is not necessary for happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe my body….and soul needs a peaceful,
kind, quiet type of existence to thrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe it isn’t about going to ALL THE THINGS but finding the things that
bring your heart joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And being able to
take the time to realize what those things are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
I keep
waiting for the “cabin fever” to set in, but truthfully, I don’t feel like
we’re missing anything by being inside, which may be the biggest realization of
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
We are
warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have food, beer, and toilet paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDgSwTE4bhLo2WlKcWr880ZTS0tCv_ubrW-2pwYgL66wTLNsaqmR_7hMauiICLefXKMH5yfjCI7ip3p710l_1F0P_huGHgO6I9z5MmlUw6kKDO2j7jcVaD0uN39wd6mrUEkyF9g/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDgSwTE4bhLo2WlKcWr880ZTS0tCv_ubrW-2pwYgL66wTLNsaqmR_7hMauiICLefXKMH5yfjCI7ip3p710l_1F0P_huGHgO6I9z5MmlUw6kKDO2j7jcVaD0uN39wd6mrUEkyF9g/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
So
yea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have bitched about the snow,
because I know it will inevitably turn into mud, and slush, and Scootzilla will
probably get stuck, but as for being inside for two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
Well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t really lie when I say it’s been the best New England winter
we’ve had so far.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<b>And that’s
the wicked truth Bub.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<b>AYUH.</b></div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-89896702562994287812015-01-16T08:45:00.001-05:002015-01-16T08:45:52.863-05:00Is it Spring Yet?<div class="MsoNormal">
I do this thing every year, when I just disappear from the
blogosphere in the winter- mostly because everything just gets crazy and feels
so overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I promise myself
“I’ll write when I’m done,” and I withhold it from myself, because it feels like
a matter of survival to get everything done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I’ve learned about myself though, is that that’s not
fair, because I NEED writing to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just the feeling and the sound of the keyboard, I’m pretty sure lowers
my blood pressure and makes me feel more energy, and more in control of
everything in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t really
explain it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing I’ve learned about my blog self, is that I
tend to wait and try to write only when things are good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well… as much as that may make for a nice
blog to read, it’s not accurate, and it’s not helping what I’m trying to do and
be, which is create authenticity within the cybernet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I read recently, what you see on social
media, is peoples’ highlight reels, so here is everything that got left on the
cutting room floor…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The truth is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
fall SUCKED. A lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I am
definitely a glass half full person, this semester put me in a place that I
have not been in for a long time, which was kind of scary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It kicked off, the last week of September I ended up in the
hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For stupid reasons and the
whole thing was just entirely stupid and made me realize there is need for some
SERIOUS need for policy change at one of the best hospitals in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that’s fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was like the second week of
classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following that, I had just gone back to biostats after being
sick (yea, also, I took biostats…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
my family suffered a huge loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lost the nana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is her birthday actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidETA0J5Apq-LIKUDJ94F6wAA1X0xPBh3LnDg-vFVoabatNNC4WbcW4ZJy5_K2gieQd7vdStF5sMHzKIH_wrPV01r2SsEwU75tnnAn6TjPtmUz1ZQ1JF-QRrnn7jn0_C5FamNRnA/s1600/Nana+owen+mal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidETA0J5Apq-LIKUDJ94F6wAA1X0xPBh3LnDg-vFVoabatNNC4WbcW4ZJy5_K2gieQd7vdStF5sMHzKIH_wrPV01r2SsEwU75tnnAn6TjPtmUz1ZQ1JF-QRrnn7jn0_C5FamNRnA/s1600/Nana+owen+mal.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
IT SUCKS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
never lost anybody that close to me, and for those who have, I am sure you get
it, and I feel silly for being so naïve, but I was literally out of commission
for 2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hung up the phone with my
mother and just stood there, hysterical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t move, I couldn’t think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ordered tacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nana
would’ve wanted that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food and beverage
are always the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed to get on a bus to go to
Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered a big pile of tacos
since it was National Taco Day and we threw a lot of sweatpants in a suitcase
and some black stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easily the
worst packing job I’ve ever done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
we went to Maine, and I didn’t know when we were coming back, and I didn’t
care, and I already didn’t really want to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next couple of weeks were a lot of crying, and walking
around hugging each other (prompting more crying). I stared at my biostats
homework, pretending I understood it, pretending I could actually get something
done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt helpless, I felt sick, I felt exhausted. I felt like
I had nothing left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>School just didn’t
matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually we came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It didn’t get easier, but I kept trying to get my head in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the worse case of academic apathy I
have ever experienced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t that I had senioritis it was just… I didn’t see
the point anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was taking 2
classes that I pretty much hated. Every time I felt like I was in control of
something, and doing well, something would happen and I felt like I was taking
3 steps back. I wasn’t being creative, I didn’t get to really write anything
all semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I already had a job,
or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just, suddenly realized, I
didn’t know why I was doing any of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kSAxp-tssobisJmKesrCLH7BffhvPe8SKYhOi7JxDntJ37q03sAhqFcEWEAb9ee85tXMx7cAUdgAJcojygcAc6nTDM3W_uu3l2griPgv2d7kC65OZbnwAlXvc9IXooQKjZxysg/s1600/family+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kSAxp-tssobisJmKesrCLH7BffhvPe8SKYhOi7JxDntJ37q03sAhqFcEWEAb9ee85tXMx7cAUdgAJcojygcAc6nTDM3W_uu3l2griPgv2d7kC65OZbnwAlXvc9IXooQKjZxysg/s1600/family+3.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the first time in three years, I actually Googled how to
withdraw from school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually, the sister and I knew we had to rally, and we
talked a lot and supported each other to just get through the final
semesters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(“We’ve always been
overachievers Mal, now we just need to achieve.”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never
quit anything in my life…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even
think I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there like some sort of
underachievement mentor that helps you like… drop out of stuff? I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then came the holidays, which were absolutely wonderful, on
both sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very different and we
continue to hold each other up to find the new normal, but it was exactly what
I think we needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just didn’t worry
about anything, we relaxed and bought each other excessive amounts of material
goods, and CELEBRATED.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEIHH3ORiZEaueBaDNcIibtljfE1mfm1TLqf-KAtUN2-VWUinbkWf7ZilvzGwnHmpgbn_ssKlb5VG-L5bXSRSIMNRyeJS49uIENKxQkM4z68U9ljFiOxK5nwGd56FOXAZtyzElw/s1600/christmas+morn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEIHH3ORiZEaueBaDNcIibtljfE1mfm1TLqf-KAtUN2-VWUinbkWf7ZilvzGwnHmpgbn_ssKlb5VG-L5bXSRSIMNRyeJS49uIENKxQkM4z68U9ljFiOxK5nwGd56FOXAZtyzElw/s1600/christmas+morn.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now of course, I’m sick again, as is tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I spent the first 2 weeks of the new year,
laying in bed, once again questioning everything in my life. I’m in a better
place this semester and am working on a lot of things that excite me, and I’m
writing like crazy which helps me breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But all of this, everything that happened this fall, the
time spent with family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing how the
Nana lived her life, has made me start asking bigger questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who am I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What do I want to be doing? How should I live my life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where will we ultimately end up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes me happy… what makes Owen happy?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we’re being super transparent here… sometimes I feel
guilty about the answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really like
going to shows and fancy restaurants, and taking trips and having nice
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I value people over
stuff (but as a dear friend of mine once said “I really like stuff too.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have realized that not doing anything
is totally addicting (except... I can't do nothing... even when I was sick, it was the most productive week I've had in a long time)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t think I’ll
ever be the kind of girl who can live in the middle of nowhere, doing the same
thing week after week. I have no desire to go to Africa and build houses, or join the peace corps, or have 5 kids and buy a big house in the burbs. Does that make me a bad person? I'd like to think not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I think back to Nana, who bartended and volunteered and
entertained, and traveled, and parasailed when she was in her 60’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a card party three days before she
left us, and then when she realized she may not be able to do those kinds of
things anymore- she decided she was done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_Gt3Bhg54uZoQ2BQ5JjClPLVrJlhvNt5IsP_E-UXm5eddXl_w_HxoqPyxz0tw_L2BuAmAZurX_Bdv-JEBq94GZ12uMeiVSYU2zHA-HGeZbAzJNmNZpTv7RCPXjl57ieAey2AeA/s1600/Rita+Cyr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_Gt3Bhg54uZoQ2BQ5JjClPLVrJlhvNt5IsP_E-UXm5eddXl_w_HxoqPyxz0tw_L2BuAmAZurX_Bdv-JEBq94GZ12uMeiVSYU2zHA-HGeZbAzJNmNZpTv7RCPXjl57ieAey2AeA/s1600/Rita+Cyr.jpg" height="640" width="345" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess it’s not in my blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’m not quitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m not letting it break me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I finish school is when I finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And before then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just gonna live life, the way we do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Til Next time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-76671745151363728212014-09-12T18:31:00.003-04:002014-09-12T21:44:45.670-04:00We Need to Talk. It isn't You, It's Me.<div class="p1">
Today was a big day for me in healthcare</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I asserted myself and said I wanted more out of providers if I'm going to be seeing them. </div>
<div class="p1">
Basically- I'm breaking up with a provider. But it wasn't anything serious. Metaphorically, we like met for coffee, once and I knew it wasn't going anywhere. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Between just my life experience and my rapidly growing career in health care quality improvement I can't just go to appointments anymore to check them off the list. I'd rather they not be on the list unless they are going to be helpful.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Especially if I am going to be billed for them or a provider is getting paid. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Let's look at it this way. I didn't date in high school. Or college really. I knew pretty quickly there was nobody who could give me what I needed and I tend not to pursue things unless I know they're going to be worth it for everyone involved. Ain't no one got time for that. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Anyway- like other things in my life, I am not ok with the status quo when it comes to my health. I have had providers who didn't want to change things because they were going "ok." But what if I could feel BETTER? What if I had someone I could ask my questions to and who didn't just give me a blank state when I explained my condition. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Well those people are in this city. I don't expect anyone to have all the answers. I don't even want answers necessarily, I just want to have the conversation!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Here's the dealio. There is now an army of kiddos who have MID and we have created quite a community. And let's face it, the sister and I are doing really freaking well. I don't need to know why necessarily- but shouldn't the doctors see the potential for this illness so all my babies can grow up and be amazing thriving adults like us? </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyaF9ZDAaW6YPZGuGDrXGILx_cBPZ9SXhdEhw__f1a4lFMSYu5WWQw4tQqmnTFzDF-EsQk8WnztK102Vn7T_yty_-XhQV0Cm8C552ITjcjKVXM5Uo-6JqGset5r2Xp-aFuYxhRw/s1600/Anna+mal+born.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyaF9ZDAaW6YPZGuGDrXGILx_cBPZ9SXhdEhw__f1a4lFMSYu5WWQw4tQqmnTFzDF-EsQk8WnztK102Vn7T_yty_-XhQV0Cm8C552ITjcjKVXM5Uo-6JqGset5r2Xp-aFuYxhRw/s1600/Anna+mal+born.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYwvGwP31NHcT2ETr5Y6C_wAgjHgHhxE3PdmsxicX49momcmFcxbjMJNjG_vV8nhVCjCBArUqKxKOqRokqdRif3JLDGQRm6mNmygPREF9vFbt7eCTqokRi-sPdCxu6NXxRY2OoQ/s1600/Mal+Maisy+little.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYwvGwP31NHcT2ETr5Y6C_wAgjHgHhxE3PdmsxicX49momcmFcxbjMJNjG_vV8nhVCjCBArUqKxKOqRokqdRif3JLDGQRm6mNmygPREF9vFbt7eCTqokRi-sPdCxu6NXxRY2OoQ/s1600/Mal+Maisy+little.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsL51qMb7Dgxow0Wx0QxO0l89C0wEYo7sJmG5Y9IAcpmshZ66aaSh5In8aZm2m1YByM7atIwfGinZWIIVjX4qjOdvhYqb_ns8KJ08c0YQczSI5rbmUzSOd7Se2A5bPjLxyy3dJg/s1600/IMG_6679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsL51qMb7Dgxow0Wx0QxO0l89C0wEYo7sJmG5Y9IAcpmshZ66aaSh5In8aZm2m1YByM7atIwfGinZWIIVjX4qjOdvhYqb_ns8KJ08c0YQczSI5rbmUzSOd7Se2A5bPjLxyy3dJg/s1600/IMG_6679.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I'm also really involved in the genetics community and if nobody is talking about our condition nobody is going to want to research it. A lot is going on in other countries- but ... We're not there are we? </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I'm a little nervous to go back to my old stomping grounds where some of the scariest things of my life occurred and just be there.... But I'm an adult now- and a professional, and it's time to get talking. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So after this conversation I was told, "you should be talking to the people who are cutting edge." </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And frankly. I agree.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
Let's do this. It's time to change the world, one micro villi at a time. Even just for a few awesome folks.</div>
Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-55531632962384659562014-09-10T08:38:00.000-04:002014-09-10T08:38:08.084-04:00You were bound to Fly Away<div class="MsoNormal">
The song in Starbucks right now, “<i>You were bound to fly
away…”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t write this stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Except that’s exactly what I’m going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So indulge me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no more denying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fall is HERE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know how I
know?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, I’m wearing my Ralph Lauren fleece, because it’s
cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsS-3UaxbAA4PYQJsAzq6kMMMZIbvDPKOS7i3KlszmdcBgy52u2kdORLw95L7U0OLwS1NPWZgPCcZO59PfuqiBxZKx2p85M-6MFaU6ybFIwbdzOQxc_8gUgGn19uEsAVJy7kgGQg/s1600/starbucks+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsS-3UaxbAA4PYQJsAzq6kMMMZIbvDPKOS7i3KlszmdcBgy52u2kdORLw95L7U0OLwS1NPWZgPCcZO59PfuqiBxZKx2p85M-6MFaU6ybFIwbdzOQxc_8gUgGn19uEsAVJy7kgGQg/s1600/starbucks+morning.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings me here right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This semester I’m taking a class at the College of
Communications at BU, which I’m so excited for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I get to write again and be creative, and think about other things
besides how sad and unhealthy the world is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtZAQADISqX6OQ2ecJ5hYFgkaOdvA8ppC79ZhmgBczu5LDGA2vUyj_VEiWeIrKFfzzz_e8Uq0_LaEXU1dDOTI0Ndg8IoXY3-oYhavHUNFaptK2MaJmESmDPbnxwcqNdAiLGK4Og/s1600/comm+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtZAQADISqX6OQ2ecJ5hYFgkaOdvA8ppC79ZhmgBczu5LDGA2vUyj_VEiWeIrKFfzzz_e8Uq0_LaEXU1dDOTI0Ndg8IoXY3-oYhavHUNFaptK2MaJmESmDPbnxwcqNdAiLGK4Og/s1600/comm+school.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, this class begins at 9:00 a.m., which for
anyone who lives in Boston, knows is just ridiculous to even try to be anywhere
for which is why most people just sleep at their offices (or get there at like
5….) or roll in around 10:30 when all the BU students are already where they
need to be, and the B line becomes normal again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Comm
School is 1.8 miles from my house… it takes me exactly 30 minutes to get to
work which is downtown, at the very last stop of the train, so why would it
take LONGER to get 4 four stops?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BECAUSE
THE B LINE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But also- because Scooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So whereas an average BU Basic would be able to squeeze in any old spot
on the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>train so they have to force the
doors close- I don’t have such a luxury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last week, I left my house around 8:00… thinking I might even have time
to grab a coffee, and THREE TRAINS LATER, I am on my scooter, in the middle of
hoards of people, not even in the parking spot, or able to reach the button to
tell the driver when I need to get off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Total anarchy. I honestly went all 2 years ago and almost started
weeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever. #Blineproblems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll get there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwImv0Zw9NmHAV_0JwZqQw-1JdYU3NvZ-MrWGqZ7WDAlp2gr87CL6qepfMsEXfMrwDUARCG4fkF-he4koDQEDaSrTCyAiOoRDoXZanYrFyeKAEfVNf0VZEHlUUQqfgGhu66EwQiw/s1600/B+line+empty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwImv0Zw9NmHAV_0JwZqQw-1JdYU3NvZ-MrWGqZ7WDAlp2gr87CL6qepfMsEXfMrwDUARCG4fkF-he4koDQEDaSrTCyAiOoRDoXZanYrFyeKAEfVNf0VZEHlUUQqfgGhu66EwQiw/s1600/B+line+empty.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m also moderately determined to not need to have the
“accommodations talk” with my new professor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not afraid to talk to her, and I’m no longer afraid to ask for help,
but I don’t want to play the “scooter card.” I’m sure it will come up, and
honestly that’s what I want to do my story on for her class- about what it’s
like for a non-walking individual to get around this god forsaken city, and how
it is NOT the fault of MBTA, but the general public who think that standing in
your way staring at you while you’re trying to get on the train is actually going
to make the ramp come down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just want to show that I got this… I’ve lived here for 2
years, and go to work on the B line every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I have to leave the house at 7:30 every Wednesday then gross, but I
just need to put on my big girl journalism panties and roll with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But for now… here I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Drinking a latte, writing on my sparkly MacBook, remembering who I am,
and what I’m passionate about, in a CITY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Full of opportunity and people who want me to succeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seven years ago, the beginning of September, I sat in a
coffee shop in the small town of Farmington, with a journal, and tried to
convince myself it was the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t, and I knew it… but it was a step in the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here I am.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSr3UJR6vN8fUn2rNToQxZ5tZTxQMqMoXyHbMAEnGf67Y1D_gE8bPYhyUEGJED7XSSiXJXNyIpox35_5KSmA4UxwYvPR8w39tGH14bCMxxqZ9AoTCgjAJiVfPclXO4EtkHY-O5A/s1600/back+to+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSr3UJR6vN8fUn2rNToQxZ5tZTxQMqMoXyHbMAEnGf67Y1D_gE8bPYhyUEGJED7XSSiXJXNyIpox35_5KSmA4UxwYvPR8w39tGH14bCMxxqZ9AoTCgjAJiVfPclXO4EtkHY-O5A/s1600/back+to+school.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is so so much more to write about, as I venture into
this fall, feeling like the best Me I have ever been, but I just had to capture
this moment and share it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all of my
young college almost graduates who are cranking on your last year, just
remember- the dream is out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just
gotta find it… and it may not be what others think it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep on, keeping on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13710000.post-45585710339750432302014-07-07T20:19:00.000-04:002014-07-07T20:19:35.976-04:00What I Did on my Summer Vacation<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took a week off last week.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-aa9e6951-1339-6f13-974c-9941ee42d0fd" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like OFF OFF. the last time I recall having a legit VACATION, where I unplugged, and did not touch my work phone, or business e-mail, or call into just one conference call, or say I was “working remotely,” Was probably when I went to Vegas for my birthday in 2011. that was probably the last time I felt so refreshed, empowered and rejuvenated by a week off. And this time, I didn’t go ANYWHERE.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I simply took the week and attacked everything that was stressing me out, and took care of me. the first big step of this was not taking classes this summer, then once my fellowship finished it was just work. I’m getting unfortunately accustomed to not having school work, so going back in September is going to be rough. I have also made some choices however, that I think will benefit my schedule once school does start back up. I have no classes, or obligations past 5:00 pm, once Fall comes. Although it gets dark at 4 in the winter, there will be no chasing down transportation, or not getting home until 10 after my classes. Owen and I can still maintain a reasonable typical work schedule, which I’m psyched about.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SO. What did I do on my summer “vacation?” Nothing, and everything!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read whole books, in record time. For those who think I’m some politically minded, health care addict. Stop reading this right now. And go away. When it’s up to me, I’m a shallow, materialistic Vegas party girl. You know what I read? Here are my literary confessions:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A real housewife tale of a shallow chick who wants to marry into money to maintain her shoe addiction, but actually gets an interesting surprise- I was not expecting (and I usually predict these things, because I could probably just write one…) </span></div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/58/0a/d9580a671899d104643b219b3609a5de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/58/0a/d9580a671899d104643b219b3609a5de.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jodie Sweetin’s (that’s right- Stephanie Tanner) memoir about her struggle with addiction and partying in the Hollywood Hills. I was obsessed and finished it in 2 days. Full House will never be the same, but yea. It was good. No regrets. </span></div>
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<a href="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781439152690/unsweetined-a-memoir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781439152690/unsweetined-a-memoir.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the hilarious, superficial, tongue in cheek, “I could’ve written this” White Girl Problems. Based on my favorite Twitter account, I buzzed through this one, flipping through my kindle problems on the T, in the back of black uber cars, and ok, even during the Red Sox game. So sue me.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.aspiringsocialite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/WhiteGirlProblems-560x861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.aspiringsocialite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/WhiteGirlProblems-560x861.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along the self care route, I also got my hair and nails done, and get this- I had lunch with FRIENDS. TWICE! And it was “let’s get an overpriced sandwich from the snack bar before class.” It was afternoon margs, and actual sit down and talk about each other’s lives meals. I truthfully do not think I have done that since I moved here. It was AWESOME.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After one, we went SHOPPING! We plotted which <a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/p/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-Medium-Jet-Set-Center-Stripe-Travel-Tote-TOTES/prod25260055_cat8519_cat8501_/?index=10&cmCat=cat000000cat8501cat8519&isEditorial=false" target="_blank">Michael Kors bag</a> we’d get, whether or not it was on sale, swooned over Burberries we’ll probably never owned, and got foundation matched in Sephora and got matching <a href="http://www.sephora.com/multi-masking-medley-P387135?skuId=1613835" target="_blank">mask variety packs</a>. It was a true, long overdue girls’ day that just put me on cloud 10.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kM6zaPIYs0Ivbl2Qtd1TQe9WGrFy8DD9dL49UieYnmOYkjX-wLVcLcIadiCqhr8MCzqX6ZexX1RyiefhqJttvlos8MP8HhhSkDwQPs4f8Oe7_hehvVQqhP8uobcZe9JJUL2eiw/s1600/IMG_8488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kM6zaPIYs0Ivbl2Qtd1TQe9WGrFy8DD9dL49UieYnmOYkjX-wLVcLcIadiCqhr8MCzqX6ZexX1RyiefhqJttvlos8MP8HhhSkDwQPs4f8Oe7_hehvVQqhP8uobcZe9JJUL2eiw/s1600/IMG_8488.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The other girly outing was centered around interior decorating. My neighbor, LEND classmate, and dear friend and I did some damage at TJ Maxx then went to town on the Element Studio. She made magic happen on our shamefully small closet, I put new 750 thread count sheets on our bed, and we hung things on the wall. It looks like people live there now, and are not just hoarding a bunch of boxes. Owen and I are SO happy. I’m so proud of my little home! It’s not longer an overpriced studio that was “all we could make work.” It is our HOME!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdNS_XeZsoW1xBN9YfN4eCo-_oXx0UYU_jCMr-Y07xovfKE4W9dQYew6w6PW0r-PowqT_LotpuDwnaaZW2icGHFeU1x0T5hAhyOjdwGAEysEm6w0Ik4R_B5ERbnf-hUUx9nsPQw/s1600/IMG_8473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdNS_XeZsoW1xBN9YfN4eCo-_oXx0UYU_jCMr-Y07xovfKE4W9dQYew6w6PW0r-PowqT_LotpuDwnaaZW2icGHFeU1x0T5hAhyOjdwGAEysEm6w0Ik4R_B5ERbnf-hUUx9nsPQw/s1600/IMG_8473.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part of the reason (other than the fact that I was keeping myself up at night having OCD about all the stupid piles all over the apartment) was that Owen’s family came to visit, which was primarily my reason for taking the week off at all! And man, did we see the city! We went to a Sox game, a duck tour (so fun!!!! Can’t believe it took us so long), went to the aquarium, are planning to eat in the North End, and spent the fourth on a harbor dinner cruise! It has been wonderful, and it is so nice to really know where we are now, and how to live here! It was such a good feeling to really host people, and show them our city, and not just be like “well… I think this is nearby, it just may take us all day to get there. We didn’t even go in a circle ONCE.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQv8dTkt-4cYtaf8hxUHkEoZH7Q9C1InIk_9-4j5Eyd0VhZt4gFF7pMLskZABPUt603MDC3DjJgrAGP8f2Uk7TF5FJzus0p0IoZZH2RAM85CVg54TBnuno7yHd9QZiFpB0tN9tnw/s1600/IMG_8495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQv8dTkt-4cYtaf8hxUHkEoZH7Q9C1InIk_9-4j5Eyd0VhZt4gFF7pMLskZABPUt603MDC3DjJgrAGP8f2Uk7TF5FJzus0p0IoZZH2RAM85CVg54TBnuno7yHd9QZiFpB0tN9tnw/s1600/IMG_8495.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to all of the above, I accomplished one other REAL success. I managed to address, attend, or schedule, every. single. medical appointment or obligation that I had outstanding. We’re talking, PCP, eye doctor, dentist, iron infusion, GI speciality, started medicine for completely life ruining stomach issues, and I even took the ultimate self care measure of getting a therapist, who I managed to see TWICE, just during my time off. I believe in being super transparent about addressing mental health needs, because EVERYBODY has them. It has been fantastic, and I have not felt this good in a long time!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So bam. For all those times that there were not enough hours in the day, I finally just buckled down and stopped making excuses. I can check all of those off the list, and basically, I should win some sort of prize.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today I am back to work, but I am calm, comfortable, tan, and confident. I am ready to lean into my new role, and this second half of summer. I am taking care of me, and it is amazing how the rest can fall into place. One thing I have learned over the last few years, is, as urgent as everything may feel, at the end of the day, if everything else were to go away, all you have is yourself, and if you’re not happy in that solitude, you need do some re-arranging.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">xoxo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Princess Malphabahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314145108682666104noreply@blogger.com0