'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

...And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mou-- HA. I wish!  I've learned that Charlie enjoys midnight romps through my room... and he loves to wake me up in the process.  I love the little guy though, and I'm going to miss him greatly when he relocates to sunny Malibu next week... yes, Charlie is moving back "home" to California to live with my mom until my schedule settles down a bit.  Work has been especially busy lately, as we wrap up the end of this year and prepare to "open" the Spine Center on January 3... I've been working 10-hr days at the clinic, and with my commute to Provo, I've been gone from 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and poor Charlie is left cooped up in my room waiting ever-so-patiently for me to return.  He is the sweetest dog, and the best sidekick/friend I could have asked for... back when I was unemployed and single.  With all the recent changes in my life, though, my ability to care for him the way I would like to (and the way I know he deserves) has been greatly limited, and I realize that in order to do what is best for him I need to let him be somewhere he can have that attention that he needs.  It's been a really tough decision for me -- I feel somewhat irresponsible for bringing him into my life only to semi-abandon him just a few short months later.  But in my discussions with my mom and Jamison (my bf, in case you aren't aware), they have put my mind at ease -- I made this decision to adopt him when I had the time/energy to commit to his needs, but life changes ever-so quickly (and I am definitely familiar with that fact) and I never could have foreseen where I would be today.  Regardless of the current situation, I was able to rescue him from the shelter, and he will stay in a loving home that I know and trust -- which will also give me opportunity to visit him whenever I'm back in California.  I am just so grateful that my mom is willing to welcome little Charlie into her home -- I couldn't ask for a better surrogate "family" to care for him :)  And as much as Charlie loves the snow up here in Utah, I'm sure he will be happy to return to the warm California sunshine (whenever it decides to show its lovely face again)!

So.  Now on to more updates: WORK. I've been at the Spine Center for 2 months now, and I'm LOVING it!  Surprised?  I am.  After all my education and experience, and considering that I found my "niche" in Labor & Delivery, I did not expect to find a place for myself in Neurosurgery, working in an office M-F, 8-6.  But the job description matches my personality quite perfectly, and I feel that I have been able to contribute a great deal to the development of the Spine Center concept.  Currently, my main priority is to compile data and reports for the end of the month so that we can see where we need to focus our attention in January.  I've done quite a bit of patient triage and screening (my eventual central role at the clinic) in order to decrease the backlog of patients for the surgeons, but in order to get our system up-and-running come January, I've had to do a lot of data entry.  It's tedious work, but thankfully I have a great support system at the clinic and I love going to work each day.  I'll be grateful when all this prep work is completed, but we still have 3 more days at the clinic until the end of the month (and YEAR) so I just need to keep pushing forward.  I do see a light at the end of the tunnel, though... and that is what is keeping me motivated.  I am confident that my efforts will greatly improve the clinic's current practice, and I feel grateful to be a part of this new system!

HOLIDAYS.  Hard to believe that they are almost over... I always say that, but for some reason I've been more aware of it this year.   It feels like yesterday that I was celebrating Thanksgiving, and now here we are, getting the house ready for Santa to arrive... I love this time of year.  Especially in the shadows of the snow-capped Utah mountains, and especially with family and friends.  Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Idaho Falls with Jamison to meet his family (he is the youngest of 8 children) during their Christmas festivities.  I was slightly anxious about the whole situation (not sure how a Californian would fit in to an Idahoan family, especially because each of his siblings is married with children) but they welcomed me without any second thoughts and all my worries quickly disappeared.  I had such an enjoyable time -- brought me back to my childhood years and our epic Newman Reunions -- being one of 36 first-cousins was overwhelming, but I absolutely loved it.  So celebrating with his family was a pleasant surprise, and I couldn't have asked for anything more.  Is it too much to say that I love his family?  Shoot.  I do.  They are amazing, and I thank them for such a great "first" IF/Manwaring experience! I know what some of you Utahns may be thinking -- but NO, we are not engaged, and I don't see that happening any time soon.  Yes, we've been dating 3 months now, but we are perfectly content with our relationship and we don't feel the need to rush into any major decisions right now!  We are taking a road trip to California next week for New Year's and to visit Brenn and my adorable "niece" Blake, and that's what we are looking forward to.  That and springtime bike rides with Jamison on my new beach cruiser -- his gift to me for Christmas.  I AM IN LOVE.  With my bike, that is.  haha.  I cannot wait to ride around the city streets of Sugarhouse.... if only we could transport both of our bikes to California for a cruise down the Strand.... they are "BEACH cruisers" after all!   I'll have to put that on my list of "2011 Resolutions/Things to Do"  :)

Well, it is Christmas Eve (Day) and there are quite a few things to get done before that jolly old man makes his grand appearance, so I should get going.... I'll be back to update soon enough!  Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!  Much love to you all!