Good-bye Mono!

It's been awhile since I last wrote.
I hope everyone is doing well. I am still relatively tired here and there, but I can talk now and have been able to socialize and hang out with friends. I guess time will tell if anyone else ends up with mono. I really didn't have it all that bad. My family was great driving around buying me ice cream and smoothies. I didn't think it was possible to be tired of ice cream, but it is possible. But, the movies kept me occupied. I watch more movies and episodes of Friends that kept me happy. Drew surprised me with a chocolate shake and a bag full of chick flicks that lasted me through the week. Thanks to him, I think I now own double the amount of movies I had before I was sick! As for what's next, I don't know what other virus there is to catch, but I guess I should never count myself out of the clear. Oh well, I will continue to make lemonade with my lemons because I am surrounded by a great group of people to drink up with :)

I am excited to get back to work this week. It's going to be hard getting back on the strange sleeping schedule, but hopefully I will ease back into it tomorrow. For those of you reading this, please keep my WA co-workers in your prayers. They are going through more cuts and changes at the station and I know it is really stressful - staff is thin as it is.

On a more offbeat note, I saw Transformers the other night and enjoyed it. I've only seen parts of the first one, but found this one entertaining. It was really long (2.5 hours) so beware.

My family is still dealing with the aftermath of Thursday's storm. Our house got hit by lightening. Today is actually our first day with Internet access. Our phone lines are still out and will be until this Thursday. And unfortunately, Matt's Wii got fried.
I think that's it for now. I will try to remember to take pictures when I'm out next so I can add some more color to this site.

FYI:

My blogging will probably minimal during the next week and a half. After catching what I thought was another serious throat virus, blood tests from this afternoon indicates that I have mono. I suppose that's why I've been so tired lately. It's just unfortunate because I'm going to have to take off work for at least a week and miss a super fun weekend that I was looking forward to. I really would like to write more, but I am exhausted and achy and tired of using "sign language" because I can hardly open my mouth.

In that case, ALL OF YOU better enjoy your weekend for me!

Seriously, who does this...?

Or maybe it should be titled, "You don't see this everyday". Regardless... how bizarre.

(Yes, he is sitting on a seat. It's a little hard to tell. I tried to crop the picture in as much as I could.)

I was stopped at a light on my way to the gym when I saw these two riding down the street. I couldn't help but grab my camera. This isn't just some side street either. It is a MAJOR road (Beechmont and 8 mile for the locals reading this) going through my township that stays particularly busy all day, everyday.
I have no idea how that guy got on his bike either. It reminds me of a circus bike. Anyways, I wanted to share the experience with all of you. I hope your week is off to a great start - and if it isn't hopefully this put a slight smile on your face.

My Nocturnal Transition

Surprisingly, it hasn't been too hard for me to sleep during the day. Some days are better than others in terms of a deep sleep, but for the most part I am usually ready for a little shut eye when I get home from work. During the first few weeks I did great. I made it home around 9:30am from the station and would sleep until my alarm went off around 5 or 5:30. I'd then get dinner, socialize, see a movie, etc. This past week, boy was it different. I don't know what was/is wrong with me, but I couldn't get enough sleep! Wed. for example: I came home, slept until 5:30, went to an hour yoga class, then slept another 4 hours until my alarm went off so I could shower and leave for work. It was practically the same way on Thurs. too. I'll see what this week brings. The good news is that I am loving my job. I am learning a lot and have received lots of positive feedback from my co-workers. I've also slowly received more and more responsibilities which is always nice.
I had really hoped to write sooner, but like I said, I have been a zombie. I think last night was the first time I had dinner. Lately, I've slept through that entire block of time. Speaking of food...I was laughing with my mom the other day because on my way home from work I was craving sushi. I ended up picking some sushi rolls up and eating them when I got home at 9:30am. Who does that! Who eats sushi at 9:30 in the morning!? ME!
I was able to get out of bed long enough last weekend to attend the Lebanese festival with the rest of my family. It's always an interesting time. Yes, I am Lebanese, thank you dad ;) Here are some pictures of the always entertaining "belly dancers".Then, on Tuesday I helped my best friend celebrate her graduation from the University of Cincinnati. I attended her exhibit (she's a graphic design major) and had dinner with her family and some of her college friends. (I think the is when my sleep went downhill.)Finally, Friday night I pulled myself out of bed to attend a concert series event thing downtown on fountain Square. The weather was awful throughout the day, but definitely cleared up in the evening. I unfortunately don't have a picture of us or the bands, but I did get a few of the fountain...

A week of firsts!

Yes, I made it through my first week working and it was wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly, helpful and willing to teach. The environment is totally different from my old station, but at the same time very similar. Because I am working in the morning, it's a lot less stressful. Until 3:30 in the morning it's only the three producers, executive producer and me. Then, the anchors and reporters come in to prepare for the 5am show. Everyone has their own routine and is ready to go at 5 (We have a 5,6 and 7am show). From 1-4:50 I help out in the newsroom writing stores and helping out the producers. During the show I will be the extra production person; running cameras, helping out with scripts or changes in the show. All of last week I trained on camera 3 and today I was in charge of it. I did a decent job, only messing up once when I zoomed in a little too much - the show went on. Tomorrow I will be in charge of camera two and will train after the show on camera one. Then, I will be ready to take over any camera when someone is sick or on vacation. Saturday mornings are even more laid back. There is one producer for the two hour show (6-8am) and the executive producer helps out. Eventually, I will probably take over the EP's duties so she can go back to working Mon-Friday.

Overall, everything is going great. I honestly feel like I have the best job in the world. I really do look forward to going to the station and reading up on the news/events going on in the area and around the world. After my shift, I go home and sleep until 5 or so. Then, I am up and attempting to have a social life -- which leads me to another first...
I went to the driving range Friday (I've probably swung a club 3 times in my entire life) and on Sunday I was playing my first 9 holes! It was crazy, but I didn't do too bad. I actually had a lot of fun and would like to keep trying. I will keep you posted on my golf game.

And, for a bit of visual stimulation... here are some pictures from my parents trip to Hong Kong. They were there for a little over a week and had a pretty good time. Both of them said they enjoyed the experience, but would not want to live there.

Anxiety, Excitement and so much more

Ah! Three hours until my first shift! I am freaking out ahah. I'm extremely excited but also nervous at the same time. It's been practically five months since I've worked at a news station. I'm hoping they don't ask a lot of me, but I have no idea what to expect. I haven't been to the station in nearly a week since my meeting/paper signing. I know who the anchors and reporter is for the morning show, but I have no idea who the EP (executive producer) is or who is in charge of production crew members during the morning. And therefore, I am freaking out. The good news is I made it to the doctor's office this morning and was able to get some good sleeping hours in this afternoon. I slept from about 11ish until 2:30 and then again from 4-6. Those hours on top of the two I had last night. I think I will be just fine in the morning and will make it through my shift. I'll try to write tomorrow, but if not I will fill everyone in after Thursday's shift.

As for my weekend... it turned out fantastic. I spent part of Saturday at the pool until I got way too hot. I then stopped by the mall (bad idea) and took advantage of the Memorial Day sales. Luckily I didn't do too much damage. Unfortunately, I watched the entire Reds game and they lost. I am getting very skeptical about being a fan. Don't get me wrong, they are playing well, i just can't seem to be able to celebrate a win. I have been to 4 games and all four games they have lost. I'll watch and or listen to them on the radio and they will lose. If I don't listen or watch, they just so happen to win. I can't explain it nor am I enjoying it!Sunday, I helped my friend Sarah with her final project for school. She's in the DAAP program at UC studying graphic design. She needed someone to model (mostly just my hands, face and shoulder). I can't wait to see how it turns out. I have a feeling I'm going to be pretty critical. O well as long as she is happy with it and gets a good grade. Afterwards, Matt, Kevin and I went to a cookout. It was nice having all three of us hanging out together and getting along. We're finally at that age when we can all be friends with each other and the other siblings friends.

Finally on Monday the three of us attended the Taste of Cincinnati downtown. We lucked out with the weather. It started raining right as we finished up. Unfortunately, I didn't taste anything overly wonderful, but it's always nice to try new things and see what restaurants I haven't tried and what their specialty is. This isn't the best picture or representation of the event, but it was pretty crowded when we were walking around and didn't want to take pictures. Then, it started to rain so this is all I got. The booths are on both sides of the street and you can only see the one side in this picture. We were sitting on the other side of the event finishing up our food. The booths continued down the street for about 5 or 6 blocks.

Big changes ahead

I am really excited to get started at the station this week. I was suppose to start yesterday (Saturday) but the executive producer that works on the morning show was off. Instead, my first day is Wednesday. It is a part-time position so my days are Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The "catch" is I will be working on the morning show so my hours are 1am to 9am. Yes, it's going to be interesting as I work on changing my sleep schedule. Right now I am planning on sleeping after work from 10 until 4 or 5pm, then getting up and using 5 to 12:30 as my daytime. That way I can attempt to have a normal social life. I can still get dinner with friends or go to a movie/event etc. before heading to work. I don't know how well it will work out, but it's worth a shot. The ladies at the Dr.'s office have been fantastic too. I want to continue working and helping to finish off the projects I started and make a little money, so they made me an extra set of keys so I can keep my sleep schedule and come in as early as I want. I tried it on Friday going in at 6am and staying until 10. It was definitely weird, but not too bad. I then came home and slept for 3.5 hours (I did get some sleep at night) before going out with friends. I think once I get into the routine it will be fine.

Well, I need to get going. I'm helping my friend with her final art project of the year and then I am heading to a cookout. I will write again tonight or tomorrow because I definitely left A LOT out of this post, but I had some extra time to I thought I'd at least start a post. Have a wonderful Sunday!