Too Tired

I'm soo tired, work, family, college---its alot at one time. I just want to have one day that I don't have stuff to do. Next week is spring break but I will be catching up on homework but I will try to have some adventures to write about. I started using two social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook. I now have 1 follower on twitter and 7 friends on Facebook. What's cool is four of my relatives that live on the East coast. We're all part of an Italian family that started with 11 brothers and sisters. My dad was part of that family. I am part of about 50 cousins, and now they have kids so I guess they would be second cousins. So, I'm thinking that these networks are fun and a good way of finding old friends and family. Last time I went to New York to visit was in 2000, I attended a big wedding and a big family picnic. There were so many Falcones, and they are soo New York, with the accent but they are also very warm and friendly. I love my aunts, my dad's sisters, but they don't travel so I only get to see them when I go to New York, which is not very often. So, more tired, I leave you, good night.

Snatched from Life and into the Hospital

One moment i was watching students at an assembly and the next I'm crumbled up in a corner in accute pain in my abdomen. it brought me to my knees and tears to my eyes. my coworker drove me to the hospital. They were way busy and I had to wait in pain in the waiting room for two hours. Then into the ER for four hours, then a CAT scan and pain meds (dilaudin) which made me nautious. Finally they got me a room upstairs and it was nice and they took care of me. In the morning they entered my abdomen with a needle to sample infection and insert a drain. They are giving me what they call the "big guns" of antibiotics every 8 hours.
So, the next night I'm hanging out blogging, watching Craig Ferguson and even doing homework. Also went for a couple of walks to keep system moving. The nurses here are delightful, the kind of people I'd like to hang around. They are so gentle, and they care about all my body functions and comfort level. Wouldn't it be nice to have people treat me that way all the time.
Well, they want to do surgery and cut out the infection. I think I'm ready, I been strugling with this for two plus years. Dr Dubar came in and was very confident about taking care of my problem. He is the first, three other surgeons did not want to operate. You see my case is very unique and difficult.
Dr. Dubar is like a legend in the hospital, his reputation of being the surgeon with the most challenging patients preceeded him.
I'm falling asleep so will add more tomoro.
I

birthday month---craziness in march

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, my head sings to me, reminding me of the 54 past years I have heard that song. I still like to recognize my birthday, I enjoy the fact that I have enough self-esteem to consider that an important occasion to commemorate. I am a very giving person all year round, so allowing a little spot light on me once a year is me allowing others to give back.
This year finds me in transition. The big thing is finishing my teaching credential at CSUSacramento in Special Education. I have one more year to go. I am enjoying being back on campus, meeting professors and students. So far, first five classes, straight A's, no brag, just facts. I work as special education teaching assistant during the day and attend university classes full time at night. In between I attend to everything family and home. This is a rigorous path I am treading but fortunately I get breaks, holidays and summers.
I have to be careful as my immune system is breaking down and I'm getting sick quite often. Had some issues at work with several coworkers which put me over the top the last two weeks. Everything is settling back down now.
Changing topics. I am an ex smoker. But I still crave cigarettes during stressful periods. I tried smoking again but I always get sick, I think I now have an extreme allergy to cigarettes. So, no more puffs. One more bad habit kicked to the curb. I decided to substitute walking exercise to treat the stress feelings instead of the cigs, its working rather well.
All for now. Remember, no more smoking!

blogger finds her way

It took me way too long to get to my enter blog spot. I had to change my password and even then it took three attempts to log in. The writing part is the easiest the technology part is easy too but time consuming for someone like me who won't read the directions or take the tutorial first. Anyway today is the dawn of President Obama's inaguration. Tomorrow January 20th, 2008. I will be at work but plan to make time to watch his inaugural speech. I'm pretty excited to hear him and also Pastor Rick Warren's invocation. The news stations are going nuts, the coverage is extensive. My students with learning disabilities know about the new president but don't reallly personally care. I wish I knew more people who were reallly excited. I think their was alot more excitement after the election. Being an ex-reporter I'm into news coverage, I love it, I breath it, it gives me life. So, I will watch during work, after work and long into the night.

On a different note. I want to say being part of a family is never easy.

Sometimes a Monkey will do ...

We never know how our lives will wind up. Of course death is never neat and tidy but we live in denial and create a blurry fantasy of gently drifting off into the clouds where angels await to welcome us home.
Miss Tony's husband Les died in his home. Unfortunately Miss Tony has recently developed senility type symptoms. Health workers estimate she fell and lay in the house with her deceased husband for four to five days. She was so confused when paramedics brought her out that she smiled and waved to the crowd of neighbors, like she was a princess on a New Years day parade float.
Well, today I went to see Miss Tony in the hospital. She spoke softly and seemed peaceful and kind of lost. She spoke only briefly but her words made sense. I brought her a get well card with purple pansies on the front, she said "It is beatiful". I brought her a stuffed animal, a monkey with really long arms, legs and tail. She said "He is cute". And she played with his arms for many minutes. She said "I like". In order to make her smile I did some funny dancing and she did perk up a little bit. I wonder if her mindlessness is God's way of protecting her from the pain of losing her life long companion. They were like two peas in a pod. Now she is one seed blowing in the wind. Where will Miss Tony land? There are no children or close relatives. Finally I heard a neice had been located. Please Lord send your angels, surround Miss Tony, and carry her onto her heavenly journey. Oh, and please let her bring the monkey.
Charlie1

My little Chinese Lady

Her name is Miss Tony AKA Toshiko, they always Americanize their names for us. Anyway, my neighbor, my grandma age lil lady of love is in trouble. Seems her sanity has taken leave for awhile but has left her with a wistful smile, at least. She used to come by to give us "Japanese Crackers" which were not very good, but I told her I liked them, so she brought more, and more. I brought them to my high school students and they hate them when they got really hungry. One day she brought me "da cat" and she made her hand do a lill clawing move. It looks like a souvineir you might buy in China Town. It's about 6 inches tall, metallic gold and painted with lively colors to look like a majestic Chinese Cat or kind of like a Buddha Cat, when you turn it on it waves its one arm back and forth forever, until you turn it off. I love that Cat, it sits above my desk at school. On my bad days I say we need some kitty and I turn on the Cat to cheer us up. Anyway, Miss Tony's husband was found dead in their home while she was found laying on the ground alive in the front room. She was sitting up in the gurney as they wheeled her away to the ambulance, I thought she would look all distraught and sick, but no, she looked over at me, smiled and raised her lill arm and waved it back and forth forever. I love Miss Tony and I hope to see her again soon, maybe tomorrow.

Welcome to my Party . . .

My party is my place
my space
where I live in my head

you are invited to my party
please come as you are
introduce yourself, I like to meet new people
I promise to use good manners

Let's have fun, remember life is short, and then you die.
In between let's have desert, let's dance as long as we can
Let's not care if we look silly

This is my place but thank you for coming to my party!