Christmas in the Cave.

Hi from Norfolk! Thanks to photog/friend, Danny Rosado for the photo. I joked that I wore this b & w sweater to symbolize my imprisonment. Kidding! :)

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm sitting at the quiet assignment desk at work. Not exactly my picture perfect Christmas but I realize it could be much worse.

Every time the self-pity starts creeping in I remind myself of all the wonderful blessings around me. I'm especially thankful for all these voices I'm idly listening to on the seven scanners here on the desk. Emergency service people work every day to keep us all safe and it really is thankless so much of the time.

I'm a little frustrated that I have once again let a month go by before another blog post. I'm not sure how it always turns out that way but I am working toward more regular updates. Since my last post I've stayed busy with work and because of that I've made an extra effort to be busy when I'm not here.

No one ever tells you how hard trying to carve out a career can be! The last few months have been especially frustrating but mini-mental vacations can make all the difference. For me that has meant getting out of town for day trips to Richmond, Williiamsburg and an AWESOME weekend trip to NYC. The 7 hour bus ride left something to be desired but we had an incredible time. (Thanks to the unbelievable Kyle Schettler for being the best tour guide and friend a girl could ask for!) I also made a quick trip home to celebrate Christmas in Missouri and my sister Meg's masters graduation. Congrats to the cutest smartie pants I know!

The trips have been great but I can't help but think how far I've come since I started this job a year ago this month. Even the things I wish I could change have been invaluable learning opportunities (so cliche, I know). So I'm taking all that with me into 2012 and leaving the bad stuff behind. I can't wait to see what happens. :)

I also can't wait for my new roomie! My sister will be living with me in the month of January while she completes a med school rotation at EVMS. My little apartment is about to feel a lot more cozy!

Thanks for reading--
erau

NYC1: On the rocks in Central Park after a bus ride from 12-7 AM!

NYC2:Tasty margaritas w/ 2 of the loveliest ladies I know.

NYC4: Grand Central Cheesecake!

NYC3: A cute boy I found & convinced to hang out with me!

NYC5: Christmas at 30 Rock (photo credit: BJ)