Massage Envy

Dani and I had massage scheduled today.  

Massage Envy is next door and neither of us ever had massage before. When we called to schedule - only time that will work for us and them is today at 1:30 with Van and Jeff.
Male massage therapists... that first.

Needless to say, we didn't know what to expect,  heard enough rumors, seen plenty pictures. Tyleen at work said something about been butt-naked and having butt cheeks massage. What?????
After initial paperwork we were introduced to Van and Jeff. Oh my!

I've met Jeff before on the parking lot, shaggy looking fella with long curly hair, reminded me of ol' good friend from childhood Aivaz.
In fact I had a random thought what if that dude is one of the guys.
He is!

After escorting to the room Jeff left with parting words: undress to the comfortable level, get under the sheets, face down.

Awkward :))

Oy vey... this was most interesting hour. First 30 minutes tried to relax, and last 30 minutes surprised myself as I almost fall asleep.
We exchange about 5 words all together.
One thing I cannot tolerate is chatty person doesn't matter if it's nail person or hair dresser. I was hoping that it will be quiet and no small talk.
Jeff was good, pain level was minimal and I felt so much better afterword.  I'm coming back for sure. And I think that I want to try full body massage next time.

It's helpful to have a cute therapist too :))

Lena's Birthday

My sister turned 30 today. 

I'm so proud of her, she's very talented, beautiful inside and out. My best friend, mentor and person whom I always admire and look up too.  I know that probably it should be reversed,  with me been older and such... but Lena is a person with a huge heart, amazing brain and astonishing personality.  Cannot imagine my life without her and cannot imagine her been somebody or something else.

To celebrate this happy occasion very low key Alex, Lena and I went to Vancouver, WA to check out new restaurant.  Located in the east side, on 18th and 164th this incredible place called Petra House and it's authentic Jordanian food.
The best shwarma I had in the very long time.

Mint Green tea

Shwarma and kebab 

Baklavah

Insubordinate

Don't you dare to tell me "calm down" - I'm not your child and you're not telling that  to someone who's higher in position than you.

I'm so mad right now, I can't think straight.  I'm still thinking, and over-thinking if I should say something back.  Probably it's good that I didn't say anything. It could get ugly.

Shen Yun 2014

Local Russian radio has been running ad for last couple weeks for Shen Yun Performing Art.  Chinese traditional folk dance all the way from New York.
After checking then out on YouTube, I decided to buy the tickets.
Only 3 days in Portland, I was able to find least expensive tickets for Saturday night performance.  Bought 3 tickets for Lena, myself and mom.  Unfortunately mom didn't go.  That another story.
Saturday night Lena and I went together, with 3 tickets. There's was a older lady holding a sign with "One Ticket please" as we walked by - I said: " Wonder if she selling or buying?"
Lena went back and asked her, we find out that she cannot afford the full price and was hoping that someone has extra ticket.  Well we did have one, she gave us $20.00 and we gave her mom's ticket.
Ours seats were in the nose-bleed section in the Keller Auditorium, and as we walked in I asked Lena if she would like to pay extra and upgrade them to the better seats.  After asking at the Ticket Box - we were sent inside.  Strange I thought.
Inside I asked people standing by the door, they sent me upstairs. Upstairs we were greeted by a guy who explained that all 2nd balcony tickets were upgraded to the orchestra seating due to some technical difficulties.  We got new tickets, walked down stairs to the general waiting area.  As we find our seats we were surprised that there were many open seats.  As time draw closer to the starting time we decided to move upfront after light turned off.
Light out... and here we come, not even sure what row we end up choosing, but I'd guess 12-14 from the stage.
What an amazing performance!!!
First half was 60 minutes long, 15 minutes break, then another 45 minutes of the incredible show of light, music and fluid movement of human bodies.

Family drama

 "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." 

 (c) Leo Tolstoy "Anna Karenina

I like to say that I come from very dysfunctional family, but it's never was more true than this couple weeks.  Not sure if I want to go in details here.  Unfortunately it's been very hard to deal with all stress lately, it's affecting our relationship, and lately I was thinking that Alex might be right with his statement that we all way to close to each other.  We all live close together, we share way too many dinners together and share way too many period.

Your Birthday

Happy Birthday!

Hope you had a chance to celebrate!

Caffeine withdrawal

Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven.  ~Jessi Lane Adams

Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee.  ~Stephanie Piro

I don't have a problem with caffeine.  I have a problem without caffeine!  ~Author Unknown

Juice'ing

We talked about it for a while, and last week I was informed that this week is the Juice'ing week.

We have done it before, where all bring veggies and fruits to work, I have a juice machine and all of us on detoxing spree.  Last time I think we did for 5 days.  This time I was surfing the web and stumble upon the site with recipes and shopping list and testimonies from people doing this detox.

I print both 3 day and 7 day plans, after short discussion decided to start with 3 days detox.  After work on Tuesday I went grocery shopping. $58 later and 5 bag full of produce I'm ready!

First drink this morning was called Morning Glory and had apples, cucumber, blueberries, grapes, kale and ginger.  It was okay. I'm not a big fan of ginger and i'd put less next time.

Lunch drink was called Sunset Passion with beet, cucumber, carrot, apple, banana, kale, lemon and lime.  I did also add flax seed after juice is ready.  It's actually for dinner, but today Alex birthday and I'm sure I'll be eating more than juice tonight.

Headache, and sleepiness - those two side effects so far.  I know it's only way to quit caffeine by going cold turkey. But it's still hard.

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Today January 15th, my youngest brother birthday.  Alex is 27 years old.  How the time is flying.  He's such a wonderful young man, very smart, such a schmoozer.  I still remember the day when parents brought him home.  It was very snowy, cold winter day and grandma was staying with us.  Alex was named not so much after my dad, it was more my other brother wish.  Even before we had him, Vlad was always asking for a brother and he pick the name.  I remember when mom had him already and end up staying at the hospital few extra days, dad was trying to change the name to something else and we had this discussion one evening. Vlad was very firm in his wish: "I want brother Sasha"  Funny how little things stuck in your memories forever.
Now we're no longer call him Sasha, and he's no longer little brother.  He's a big shot in corporation world, he's young, confident man with a huge, bright future ahead of him.

Happy Birthday Alex, may all your dream will be in accordance with God's will and your life will be full of exciting adventures.

Dr. A

Dr. Aanderud is very ambitious young man.  

I know it's very insubordinate of me talk like that. He's my boss and should be respected and such... well, I do respect him, I believe he's very knowledgeable physician and wonderful employer to work for.
It's little hard to keep in line with someone who is only year older than you. Especially when he does everything to keep relationship between employees and himself more on the friendly level.

Last year he finished his residency in Michigan, purchased our practice, moved his family to Oregon and just a week ago celebrated 6 months as a business owner. Today, I was informed that he's looking into buying another practice very soon.
Dr. Demnan (I think) with Ahoha Derm is selling,  so is Dr. Brown might be soon.  And my very ambitious employer want to talk about how it all will work out.
Yay!
I'm pleased with his ideas, but also little concerned with so much luck of quality lately.  What if we bite, more than we can chew? Right now when things fell of the hook, at least we have some sort of check and balance.  But with new clinic... who knows??

Expanding practice it's a logical thing to due, especially with new healthcare reform and all small practices closing.  I'm sure that 5 years from now Goodskin will be known all over the state.  Question is at what cost?

Sarah is in town

My friend Sarah came for a visit from ND.  We used to work together at Goodskin, and both got promoted from receptionists to back office. She's a MA and we both were trained to do Mohs.  We share birthdays and often were called twins.  Couple years ago she got married and now they had Archer. She lives in ND for last 3-4 years and we see each other 1-2 times a year.

this visit come as a surprise to her sister in law baby shower, and Monday after work, I went to her parents house.  Beforehand we agreed on having take out from Red Robin.  Since she flew in, no car is available to use, and Archer only 10 months old.  It's just easier that way. 

I came bearing burgers.
Archer is so stinking cute!!!!

she was feeding him so concoction mashed veggies looks like.  he's all smiles and moving like crazy!

it was nice to visit with her,  i miss her presence and dry humor at work. miss her confusion and happy personality.  I'm glad that we stayed friends all that time.

Teen choir

Lena's dreams always come true.

Today is the first day of the teen choir. It took her couple years, may be more, but it's happened. 
We had 9 girls and 10 boys. Out of approximately 70+ kids, we have 1/4 showed up which is a good thing.
Next week I'm thinking we'll get another 10+/- ...
Teens seems excited, get to sing a little, I think they sound well. Boys will be boys :-)

Lena chooses three songs to start with, and I think she'll tremendously enjoy leading a choir again. I was happy to be there for sure.

late night visit

Our friend Valya Lip had a surgery last week, everything went well, she's home and feeling good.
After confirmed that it's okay to stop by for a visit, Lena and I bought balloon, flowers, candy and mom's samsa went to their house late last night.

At this point, I believe they all live together, Valya, Katya, Olya, Anya, Nadya - 5 girls !!!

This was most pleasant visit, usually we end up arguing about this or that. But this went so smoothly, so relaxed... not sure why, but I'm not complaining.

As usual, we end up staying late, and talked about everything.

After that we went to see Alla, I got her flowers for Alisa birthday.  Tried her princes birthday cake and had nice visit with her. Kids were in bed, so is our brother.  Having quietly tea with sister in law was nice.

Again, went to bed late!

Alisa is 4 now

Our princes had a birthday party today.  Hard to imagine that she's 4 now.
How times fly.  I remember holding her for a first time, remember when she start walking, start talking, start getting in trouble. She's a middle child, but also only one girls in between 2 boys.  She has lot working against her, but she's a fighter and will go far!
To my young loving and beautiful niece, so delicate and gentle like a princess. For you I wish lots of happiness, days of sunshine and rainbows. May all your life be a fairy tale. No doubt, other people have nieces. But, I am confident that none of them are any where as great as mine! 

Jazzy Bagels

It's been a while since I saw Shelly Syring.  We used to work together since 2004, on and off for many years. Now she's stay-home-mom with 3 beautiful girls.

Couple weeks ago we decided to meet soon, and agreed on meeting for breakfast.  Sonja, Shelly and I met at Jazzy Bagels, - I love that place!

Majority of time were spent talking about work, and another chunk about kids.

I'm okay with that, the more they talk about kids, the less attention to the fact that I have none.  Although, it's easier now, 'cause i have Jr and Alisa to talk about :)

Crazy week

That the best I can describe this last week.  It's all started on Wednesday when Kira drop by for a visit.  Sonja, Leah, and I all went to Baja for lunch, Kira left her dog in the office.  It was a good catch up get together, but when we get back to the office unthinkable happened.
Kira gave a small package to Shelly, left little room for imagination. Two of us saw it and reported to the office manager, then talked to the doctor. 

That the short version.

In reality it was more dramatic.  I called Alex first, cause I was torn between doing right thing or ignoring the whole thing. After talking to Alex, I called Juli, she sends me to Dr. A. 

Going to him took so much energy, by the time I closed the door behind me and walk in his office I lost it. Crying my eyes out, which was so embarrassing I was barely able to talk. For unknown reason Dr A didn't investigate or confront Shelly at all. Juliann called me after hours to get an update, also was disappointed with lack of action.

Thursday morning things were so thick with tension when we start our day.
Juli went first and talked to her, then Dr A. It was very hard conversation for both of them, since Shelly didn't denied anything, but start crying and swearing up and down that she's not that type of person and that as soon as she got home, she throws the stuff away.
She talked to me too, and told me that she was framed, and hates Kira big time and very hurt by everyone thinking that she's like that. She offered to do a drug test which I think was very brave of her. But never actually did that day.

Friday morning, Juli and Dr. A didn't say a word about whole thing. Meeting went well, little tense and awkward.  Before Dr A left for the day he asked, actually told Shelly that she have to have drug test done today. according to those who were present, she didn't like that at all.  Juli called the Occ Med clinic, notified them and request an observed test. having a sister working for Occ Med, I know enough what observed test is.  My heart little broken, 'cause humiliation is huge!

As I was leaving office for the day, I run into her in hallway, she was mad! didn't say a word, just walked by.  I can understand that, I'd be mad too if I have to go through something like that. Girls said she was steaming, when she returned.

I hope for her and our sake, the results will be negative.  "cause thinking otherwise is not an option.  She made some crazy choices before, they were affection her work ethic, create some tension, but it's always was in her personal life.  This one did happen in the office and made all of us involved.  

Results will be in by Tuesday next week... i guess we shall see

Food Bank

Samantha, one of the supervisors at PBO where I used to work, texted me couple weeks ago asking if I would like to join them for Food Bank.

Oregon Food Bank is one of the volunteering projects that I absolutely loved doing while employed by Providence. Today was the day and I was hoping to see at least some familiar faces from PBO.

Arrived 10 minutes before and 6pm and first people I saw was Alyra and her son Zion.  Alyra was (as I find out later) trainer and lead problem-solver.  I really enjoyed knowing her.  Zion is just turned 8 and this is second time we're meeting at Food Bank, I was impressed that he still remember me and we had an amazing time together.  There were 8 people on the list, however only 5 showed up including me.  Sam and Todd were running late.  

We started with sorting and packing onions in bags. then moved to packing rice.  Because of Teen school on Thursday night I had to leave early, but I'm more than sure to bring teens with me next time.

It was very nice to visit with Alyra and Sam, catch up on gossip and news.  Alyra left PBO, so did Heather who was manager at the time when I was working.  Sound like many people are gone or moved somewhere else.  After listening to some of the comments I realized that I'm happy that I left.

Loyalty vs. Friendship

January 8th 2014 will be engraved in my mind forever.
That the day when I had to choose between loyalty to a friend and reporting a crime.
With a broken heart I did what I must, in the meantime I think I lost two friendships.

Vacation saga

Who would thought that booking vacation could be such a pain!!!
First mistake we made we invited too many people along.
Second mistake we have to figure things out ourselves, others not even bother with planing.
Third mistake is we never bought a package before and little hesitant to trust online sources.
Fourth mistake we can't make our mind where we want to go, Mexico? Puerto Rica or Dominican republic...
Vacation is not booked, but we've seen so many awesome places :-)

If we ever get auditing...

... we would be in such a trouble.  I got so upset today about some notes in pt charts, where notes not legibly written,  not completed or signed by other person than who who wrote the whole thing.

Frozen

Elsa and I went to see a Frozen movie tonight.  I truly like it.
It's a Disney kids movie, fairy tale about two sisters Elsa and Anna (even the names pronounced like ours) daughters of the king. Oldest Elsa has a gift of magic that brought so much unhappiness to both sisters until they both realized that love is the only strong feeling that can bring magic.
Like the songs, and talking snowman and reindeer.. and queen Elsa icicles :-)

First weekend part I

It's started on Friday, woke up with sore neck. Can't move, can't bend, can't twist.
At night had a hard time to fall asleep, end up taking a pain meds.
Went to church with stiff neck, felt as giraffe all day :-)
Natalie stop by late at night had a good catching up...

First weekend part II

My neck is doing much better, thank you very much. At least 7 hours of sleep and I'm better person lol ...
At 9:30 in the morning we were at  parking lot, meeting and greeting teens.  There were about 30 teens, plus teachers.  It was freezing cold!!!

Kids left for field trip, and we went to work in the office.  Lot of invoices, new school month and new payments due.

2014

Yay!

First day of the new year I had a horrendous headache!

Last night, we all worked, Lena got home after 8pm, and we went next door to Vladimir and Alla house.  Everybody had an amazing time, so much food, lot of kids :) I made them little Russian presents for New Year. they were happy.  Then around 11pm we left, since we had enough of noise and also we need to get our house ready for our own guests.

11:45 we were laying on the couch, watching some video about Dominican Republic.  At midnight, when clock strike 12 - both were so relaxed and sleepy.

Lipnyagovy come in around 1am, Valya and Katya - had some african tea until 3am.

Phone call from one of Lena's employee was at 6:30am and didn't quite register.  Next thing I woke up with at jolt at 10 am.  House was awfully quite, parents were at the breakfast table, Lena at work and Alex was still in bed.  I woke up with killer headache, after cup of coffee, went back to bed.  During the day watched 2 movies, both were good, played with kids, and visit our neighbors.  Alla had some yammy leftovers from last night.

Now, back to business, tomorrow board of directors meeting, and i need to get my minutes put together.

Happy New Year!