Meeting Joel Osteen, My Exam, & Saturday 9..Oh My!!

Today was a very special day for me. God works in mysterious ways. Because of my exam on Wednesday, we didn't have to go to school on Thursday. SO..I did my Hospice externship all day on Thursday. I found out that Joel Osteen was appearing at the same Barnes & Noble as where we saw Jesse last week. They expected a big crowd. They were only guaranteeing 300 people to meet him and sign his book, "It's Your Time". I got there at 6am!! I know, stick a sticker on me and call me a lunatic. But, I just had to meet him. I've been listening to him for YEARS. I think since 2002. He reaches so many different denominations...Catholics like me, other Christians..etc. My nun friend watches him. The convent that she is in, they all gather together and watch him each week. How cute is that?

Because of the mass volume of people..they estimated 400 people showed up...100 more than were alloted for, we were only allowed to take pictures of him. He couldn't pose with us because of the time restrictions. But I got to talk to him. The entire time I spoke to him, he held my hand. It was just bizarre hearing his voice and having him right in front of me after listening to him for so long. He truly is a blessed man.

I also scored 2 tickets to his event this evening at The Meadowlands (Izod Center). They gave them to the first 20 people on line who already didn't have tickets. I was 10th on line because remember, I was a lunatic and went there at 6am. The people before me camped out from the night before so they were crazier than me! LOL Unfortunately with Larry's work schedule we couldn't go tonight. But, my wonderful friends Monica & Nat were able to go and I gave the tickets to them. They had a fabulous time. So my freezing my ass off paid off for everyone involved. Hopefully I will refrain from getting pneumonia.

My exam went well on Wednesday. I will know on Monday if I passed or not. Next week is another busy week. I have school all week plus my CPR certification was rescheduled for Thursday the 25th as we were snowed out for the last time. Then I also have Hospice.

Oh yes...and 3 more pounds are gone...Yay!! 154 buh-bye. A whole person. Holy Moly! LOL

Anyway, enough with my rambling...here is Saturday 9!!!!

1. How vein are you about how you look?
My veins AND arteries don't care I really am not VAIN because I am always too hard on myself. Even after losing so much weight, I still think 154 pounds ago. I guess it is a psychological thing.

2. When you were little what was your favorite TV show?
The Magic Garden, Sesame Street, and Mister Rogers Neighborhood.

3. If someone was going to make a movie or TV show about your life, who would play you and why?
Drew Barrymore because we are almost the same age. She is fun and she likes tattoos. Plus I think she is a great actress.

4. Who is your favorite Major League Baseball team? How about your favorite player?
The New York Yankees of course! My favorite player is/was Tino Martinez #24. He will always be my favorite Yankee. He is SO adorable. I'd take him right on first base! Did I just say that? How's that for honesty?


5. What is your favorite baseball-related movie?
Bull Durham

6. What is one lesson you have learned in the past year?
That even though life is hard and you get thrown alot of obstacles that you can get thrown some blessings too.

7. Tell us about one of your childhood memories.
OK Bud..this one is for you. This is more of a teen memory. When I was a senior in high school, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. I was going to go away to the College of William & Mary but since she got diagnosed I wanted to stay home in NJ. So I instead went to travel school. It was night classes. Somehow I got a job as an agent before I graduated. So, I was working during the day and going to school at night 3 times a week. On the nights that I was off of school, after work I would meet my Mom at the Mall. She was unable to drive from being weak from her chemo & radiation. So during the day while I was at work, she took a bus to the Mall and would go to Nordstrom to listen to a man play the grand piano. She loved the piano so much and taught herself how to play by ear! We had hardly any money, but we would allow ourselves to eat in the little cafe next to where this man played. It was our time together. My favorite part of this memory was coming down the escalator and seeing her sitting in the chair near him, watching him, listening to him. She looked healthier and in less pain when she listened to this man. I remember getting tears in my eyes everytime I went down that escalator and saw her sitting there. For I knew I wouldn't have that many more Tuesdays and Thursdays nights with her. We made the best of them!!! We tried not to think about the cancer those evenings. When we got home, she would be so happy. Even though we were together every night...those nights were just so special.

8. How do you handle sticky situations? Do you have a method? If so, what is it?
I try to avoid sticky situations. They give me a belly ache.

9. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
I honestly could care less. If they do, then they are cowards for not saying it to my face. Boy, I'm so honest today! LOL!