ER: Real World Edition

It’s always a good idea to have a plan for when the inevitable happens, when you or someone close to you has to go to the emergency room. Since I was not planning on going on the day that my emergency happened, these tips might stick in the back of your mind if an emergency ever happens to you.

In other news, ski season is starting, so make sure to have your gear packed and ready to go shredding the mountain for the start of the season.

On to the tips:

• If people ask for your address, hand them your ID card if your address is complicated.
• Stay calm when an emergency happens, that will help the situation you are in.
• If your family is not present, take a friend who knows how to take care of you to assist.
• Answer all of the questions truthfully to allow the doctors to assist you with the most care.
• Make jokes to help through the pain; laughter is the best medicine.
• Ask many questions. It’s better to understand than to think you do and mess up later.
• Record your conversations with the doctor to reference later. Make sure to ask the doctor first before doing so.
• If you need to get a needle in you and you hate needles, look away. It takes the pain away, at least for a bit.
• Be patient. There are many other patients in the hospital and not enough staff to assist them all at the same time.
• Breathe. You’re in here for the long run, so breathe to get you through your ordeal.

You can't forget what the doctor says when it's recorded.

It’s hard to pick just what would be the best songs to put as songs about emergency visits. Fortunately, I found some songs via this great blog. Some of the songs have to do with some of the events that happen while in an emergency room/hospital and others have to do with emergency situations in general. So all of these songs make sense, possibly. They are all interesting and go together some way or another.

This summer I had the great opportunity, as some call it, to find myself in the emergency room after breaking my big toe on Mother’s Day during the St. Michael’s graduation. It was quite an event to figure out how to take care of myself during a time of confusion and shock. If you want to read more about my time in the emergency room, check out the blog “Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Broken Toes” here. It was bad enough that I had the broken toe, and then I had to take an adventure shortly after to get home. Going to the emergency room is an event that will help build character and teach you about yourself. 

What a fun visit to the emergency it was on Monther's Day this year.

One last thing:

This past week was Thanksgiving and I was able to have a wonderful time. I spent part of it at my roommate Lauren’s house in the Boston area with her family and the other half with my family in the D.C. area. I have so much to be thankful for in being able to have a wonderful break and share in the love and support of all those who love me. It was a nice time to get away from all of the craziness of school and now there is only a little bit left of the semester.

My family altogether for the Thanksgiving break in Washington D.C.

Keep SMCing,

DJ Q

I’m Moving Out

Don't get too mislead by the title, I'm only moving out for a next adventure by packing. It’s that time of year when you need to pack to go somewhere for Thanksgiving dinner. Packing is always the worst part about going anywhere, because if you forget anything, you’ll have to plan accordingly to find an alternative for what you forgot about. I have had my fair share of forgetting things on vacations and needing to replace them.

On to the Tips:

• Always pack an extra pair of undies.
• Pack clothes for cold weather, even if you are going to a warm location.
• For carry-on liquids, remember 3-1-1. Three ounces, in one quart size bag, and each passenger only gets one bag.
• Only pack what you need, instead of your entire wardrobe, for a short trip.
• Set up your clothes in outfits before you leave so you don’t panic when having to pick out clothes when you get there.
• Pack your PJ’s to sleep in.
• If you have trouble sleeping, pack some ear plugs to be in your own world.
• Roll your clothes for added space in your suitcase.
• Get a bag that is light, so if you can worry less about your suitcase going over the weight maximum.
• If you take too few clothes, do laundry so you can feel better about re-wearing the same clothes again on the trip.

This alpaca is ready to go. Are you?

Don't forget your PJ's since you'll need to sleep at some point.

Rolling your clothes saves some space for more.

This summer I thought nothing could be better than adding some packing tips to the list. And fortunately there are so many songs that go along with this theme. I was surprised of all of the songs that have to do with moving or packing. These are some classics and some that I had not heard of. So when you listen, or will be listening, to the playlist, think of all of the interesting times you have gone somewhere new.

As you might know from the blog about airports I do a frequent amount of traveling. Though I am not the best packer in the world, because I often forget things or think about the item I need and never pack. I do still have a good time regardless of what activity I’m doing with or without the few items I really need.

One Last thing:

This year we have the full week off for Thanksgiving, which means that there will not be a show next week; I will be in D.C. visiting my sister and parents. If you need some help with pumping yourself up for Thanksgiving, check out the Thanksgiving blog from last year here. Have a great Thanksgiving and make sure to tell your family that you are thankful and appreciate them.

Keep SMCing,

DJ Q

Food For Thought: Grocery Shopping

We all need to do it, so I figured why not write a show all about grocery shopping. When I was younger, it was exciting to go to the grocery store with my dad and now that I am on my own buying (some) food for myself, it has a different meaning to go to the store. These tips might be just things you already know, but they are now all in a convenient spot. In rugby news, we unfortunately lost in the first round of National Playoffs against Rutgers University, so we are out of the running. This also means that our season is over.

On to the Tips:

• Check the expiration date on all of the items you buy so you can get the most out of what you’re buying.
• Learn to find the correct ripeness of fruits and veggies so you can eat them right away.
• Buy local if possible to support the small businesses around you.
• Buy deli meat over pre-packaged deli meat. It’s fresher and cheaper, most of the time.
• Try to go fruit-picking for the freshest of fruit during the season.
• Sometimes it pays off to buy the more expensive item, because it tastes better. This always depends on the item.
• Don’t be afraid of the store brand items, they are usually just as good, if not better.
• Stick to the list or you’ll wonder how you have a basket full of items when you only needed 3 things.
• Try the samples in the store if possible to find out the new products.
• Get a frequent shopper card to the location you go to the most to save more and get deals and coupons for continuing to go there. 

You won't want to buy bananas from the store that were this ripe already. But it doesn't mean you can't eat them this ripe when they turn at home.

Getting fresh fruit that you pick is always better. Candice and I know that with apples. Fall 2013

The store brands are great for a thriftier alternative, especially when they usually taste the same.

During last fall’s show, someone had suggested that I do a show all about songs with food in the title. The only way to pair that up that had a good enough idea was to use some grocery shopping tips to add some pizzazz to the songs. I didn’t quite realize how many songs about food there are and it was hard to find the best ones to put on the show. So hopefully when you start to buy these items in the store you’ll think back to these songs. You can also find the full list played during the show here.

As of this semester, I am still on the full meal plan because having rugby and 16 credits to complete was too much to try to cook on top of that. I learned most of these tips from previous experience and from what others have done for themselves in the past. In our house we don’t go grocery shopping too often only because we can manage our food quite well. This semester I cook on Sundays for our family dinners after church.

One last thing:

Since we lost this past weekend in the first round of National Playoffs, our season for rugby is over. This season could not have been better because we had a great team on and off of the field. I’ve had a great four years playing rugby and I have seen how much it has helped me do better in college and create some great friendships. Thank you to all who supported the team and me during all of the seasons I’ve been playing.

My #1 fans even when they are all the way home in Illinois.

Lollipop by the Chordettes 

I had a park district tap class that I danced to when I was 5 years old.

Keep SMCing,

DJ Q