Weekend in Review

Easily one of the best things about my job is that I only work 3 days a week. There's a lot of negatives to counter that, which include often having to work weekends or holidays, but being free to do absolutely anything my heart desires 4 days a week on the regular is certainly a blessing. Rarely do those 4 days occur in a row but this weekend I managed to have 4 consecutive days off and fun plans scheduled for every one of those days.

Thursday was one those fantastically lazy days that just take their time and roll by slowly. I spent the afternoon participating in one of my favorite free-day activities: reading and surfing in the internet at Starbucks. After spending a good 3 hours there finishing my book and people-watching, I went home to clean up a little and spent the evening walking around downtown Tampa enjoying some new company and trying a wine bar I'd never been to before. Perfect refreshing day.

Friday I was a bit more productive. I begun spring cleaning around the house and managed to clear out and organize a few problem areas that had been getting on my nerves; in particular two sets of shelves in my closet, my sock drawer (hey - I like fun socks!), my bathing suits, and my shorts. I must admit that one of my favorite things about clearing all that out is knowing I have a decent excuse to go out and buy more fuzzy socks and bathing suits, ha. 

That evening I gathered my good friend Diana and 3 of my favorite girls from work and we had a night out in Soho. I love my friends at work, but when we're there we're all wearing pajamas (i.e. scrubs) and have our hair back and little-to-no make-up and are varying degrees of fun depending on how taxing our patients are that day. So I absolutely love having Nurses Night Out every now and again and getting to see us look presentable and let loose with a few drinks and great conversation. 

Me, Kiersten, Laurin, and Tiffany at MacDinton's

Saturday the weather was gorgeous so I was determined to do something outside. The pool was the original plan but then I learned that the first annual Gasparilla Music Festival was being held in downtown Tampa. So I spent the afternoon drinking possibly the biggest lemonade I'd ever seen, sitting outside soaking up the sun, and listening to all sorts of live bands play. Even tried some organic nachos with black beans and pulled pork that were delicious! Add some good company and it was pretty much the perfect spring afternoon. 

Today was a busy day. First of all it is my dad's birthday and he turns the big 6-0!! So happy birthday Daddy!! After growing up in a very masculine, sports-oriented home, he grew up to, alas, have only daughters. And as he likes to tell it "even a female dog!" So to honor him on his birthday, here is a pic of him being a saint, yet again, surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and our friends on his way to attend a Taylor Swift concert.

Since I couldn't be with my family today which had originally been the plan, I decided to spend part of the afternoon with one of my other families: some of my good friends from my accelerated nursing program. There was a group of 7 of us that were particularly close during that year and a half and 5 of us regularly try to get together when we can. So every couple months I try to make it back to Orlando to catch up with everyone. So much has already happened. Last summer one of them got married and this April another one is due to have her first baby! These girls were such a blessing to me during that time in my life and I really want to continue to put in the time and forethought to continue relationships with them in the future. 

And finally, I have to end with one other particularly exciting piece of news that happened today: FLORIDA STATE WON ITS FIRST ACC CHAMPIONSHIP IN BASKETBALL!! We went into the game ranked #17 and beat the North Carolina Tar Heels (ranked #4) 85-82. I am so completely proud of my Seminoles!! I believe I may be watching March Madness this year!

Now back to the grind tomorrow. But after this weekend, I really can't complain :)

Love,
KayCee