Happy New Year :]

New Year's Eve 2010.

New Year's Eve is a good time to reflect on the year.
The good, the bad...the ugly? Well...let's reflect, shall we? :
I've had a pretty awesome headcold for the last week that won't go away.
I'm on my 5th shift of work in a row (with little sleep in between).
I still have 3 shifts/2 days to go until a day off.

See you later, 2010! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!!

All and all, 2010 was pretty productive for me.
   -- I survived my first real semester of nursing school and managed to only get one C (plus) out of 6 classes. I'd say that's pretty good ("C's get degrees, Jackie").
   -- I worked hard. I managed to keep up with 2 jobs (80+ hours/2 weeks), school (16 credits) and even squeezed in a little (although not enough) social time with friends.
   -- Speaking of friends...2010 was a good year to catch up. There were babies born and weddings/engagements (but not mine) and sweatpant Fridays. I'm looking forward to much more of the same in 2011. (Man, I love my friends!)
   -- The most recent (and most exciting) thing of 2010 is my NEW CAR :] When I was told the Malibu would need to go and I would need to buy a new car...I cried. Yep, actually cried. Not that I'd miss my old car so much as I didn't want to deal with work, school and worry about a car payment. But, I sucked it up and went to Ford in search of a new (and realiable) car. From the minute I sat in that soft, warm, leather seat of my new Focus I was in love. Forget the stress of the car payment...it feels a lot better knowing I won't have to stress about not having a realiable vehicle. And the heated seats, sunroof and pretty paint job aren't so bad either ;)

Looking back on 2010...it's kind of a blur. I realize now more than ever...I can't wait to be done with school and be able to start enjoying a little more of my time. It's sad to see that my list of memorable things of 2010 is so short...but when I try to think of exciting times...nothing comes to mind.

Here's to hoping 2011 is full of fun. And productivity. And passing grades in all of my classes. And laughter. And friends. And lots of sweatpant Fridays :]

Wishing you ALL a safe and HAPPY New Years!!

Shhhhh...Don't Tell

It's November 9th. Yes, November. I had to double check the date today.

I'm sitting in our picture window (studying, of course) basking in the warm sun. I get distracted by a strange sound outsite. A sound we don't normally hear in November. It's our neighbor mowing his yard.

It can't be November?!

Our grass is still green. Our trees hold tight to the remaining leaves of their branches.

All evidence of October is nearly gone.

Pumpkins -- tossed into the compost pile.
Halloween candy -- picked over and just about gone.
Chilly, windy weather -- replaced with this beautiful sunshine.

Our furnace -- OFF.

November?! Doesn't Mother Nature know this is Minnesnowta?

Oh well. I'm not going to remind her. I like this November just the way it is.

FYI: It is 66 degrees and sunny today.
On this day last year, it was only a high of 31.

November?!

November? Already? Really?!

I would say, "Time flies when you're having fun," but let's face it...my life isn't much "fun" right now. I'm busting my ass in school and working myself silly. Lucky for me, my co-workers are fun and my classmates are great! They help me keep it together.

I want a me day. I need a me day.

Only six more weeks of class for this semester! I've made it through 10 weeks of nursing school. And, I'm passing all of my classes...WOHOO!!

Life isn't perfect right now, but I'm surviving...and that's all that matters.

(You may notice this post is anything but entertaining. I realized I hadn't posted in two weeks. I decided to dust off the blog, even if there is no point to it.)

Railroads

I don't know what it is, exactly.

Their imperfection.

The fact that there is no end in my field of view.

The contrast between the wood and the rail.

The way the light sparkles off of the shiny steel.

I find them fascinating.

Sooo Blessed

This weekend I was reminded of how truly blessed I am. I get to be apart of an incredible family. The word incredible isn't enough to describe this family...but I can't think of anything else. They are indescribable. I was lucky enough to get to spend a little quality family time with the Full's on Saturday. My time was cut short due to work, but I'm glad I got out there for some fun, even if it was brief. Why is this family so wonderful you ask? Let me tell you a little about the Full's...

Top 5 reasons I love this family:

5. They are selfless.

I guess it's that "farm friendly" thing, but seriously.

They're always there for me.

They're always around to help the neighbors.

Always lending a helping hand.

Always helping.

It's contagious.
They teach others to be selfless.
They teach others to do their part.

Crazy Legs Vineyard at the Full's

4. They are ambitious.

They have dreams and goals.

Big dreams. Long term goals.

And they act on them.

They lead a life others
could only wish for.

Their home is that of a fairytale.

It's truly incredible.

3. They are involved in their family.

They do things together.

They play with their kids.

They get dirty with their grandkids.

They do special things with their godchildren.

They ask me how school is.

They care.

They're always there for each other.

They love each other so much.

And they always include me.

That means more then they will ever know.

I feel a part of their family.



The Full family pumpkin patch



2. They are generous.

So incredibly generous.

Always giving.

Never asking for anything in return.

(other than putting Ryan to work,

but he needs that!)

They host meals worthy of blue ribbons.

They give us time.

They give us food.

They give us the best gifts.

Best of all..they give us love.

And lots of it!



And, although there are hundreds of reasons why I truly love this family...the most important thing is this:

1. They gave life to him.

Ryan. Alan. Full. Homegrown. Handsome. My little country boy. He has morals. He has values. He loves his family. He teaches me things. He fixes my car. He takes care of me. He's the cat's pajamas, and for that I say, "THANK YOU!" You really did a good job with him.

(and I try to remember all of these things on days when we are...well...less than perfect)

Perfect <3



Grades Update

I know you've all been on the edge of your seats. Waiting. Biting your nails. Wondering. "What did Jackie end up getting on that horrible, terrible, no-good-at-all microbiology test?!" Well ladies and gents, wait no more. Grades are in.

So, you remember I said it was a terrible test. Horrible even. I'm not exagerating when I say I guessed through about half of it's 100 questions. So you can imagine my surprise when I scrolled through my grade book to find an 83% next to "Test #1." 83? EIGHTY-THREE?! I'm sure she meant 38...so I checked again...nope...still says 83. WOW. My guessing abilities are scary good!

Oh and how about my Anatomy & Physiology test? Well...that one wasn't as good. 76%. I'll take it. Let's be honest...I really didn't study at all..so I guess that's my own fault. Luckily, this A&P class is a science course and doesn't have the ridiculously hard grading scale my nursing classes have.

Tomorrow brings another Foundations (fundamentals) test. I'm not worried and that worries me. Maybe it's because I rocked the last one... I can't get too cocky though, these are the tests that really matter. But, really, it should be lots of common sense...and I have a little bit of that. I suppose I should study, too, just to be safe. I better go load up my 20lb+ backpack and head into work. Please Lord, do NOT give me a typical terrible Tuesday in the birthplace. AMEN!

Oh..and how about a little birthday shout out to a super special lady?! She's amazing. She deserves a super stellar birthday and I hope she gets to spend it with her beautiful family! Although, I'd be okay celebrating her double time with her at work too :] Happy Birthday, Ana...you're awesome!! XOXO

Miss me?!

I'm a busy gal. There's no two ways around that. I was talking with a good friend the other day. I was complaining about feeling old and tired all the time. She said, "Not surprising. You live like a super hero but never wear the cape. That stuff isn't safe!" She's right. To an extent. I'm no super hero. But, I do lack sleep. And fun. Oh how I miss sleep. And fun. But for real...man am I tired. All the time. Like now. Tired. Wait...it's 4:30am...of course I'm tired. I've been up since about 8am yesterday...duh. This may have been a bad idea. Terrible. But, I do what I gotta do to get stuff done. And bloggers...working a double for Wednesday off was something I had to do. Lucky for me I have great coworkers, brownies (brought by an amazing coworker, Gina), and coffee. That's a mighty fine combo for 4:30am sleepiness.

Anyways, I had a point to this when I started...it's long gone now. I guess I will share a few random thoughts...through random pictures, of course.

Random Thought #426:

This is my backpack. You may remember me going on and on about it a few posts back. (We are still very much in love, in case you were wondering) Notice the reading on the scale? 20 pounds, 12.4 ounces. TWENTY POUNDS?! And that's just for one class...ufda. Now maybe you understand my wheelie bag post...

Random Though #942:

So, I've been trying to be better about being active. Not even going to the gym...just getting up and out and doing something...anything. It's hard for me. I'm always so tired. There's never any time. But, when I make time...I feel so much better. I feel energized. I know it's cliche, but I feel alive.

When I go out, this is what I see:

This is a trail I go running on near my house. It's a great trail. How could I not want to get out every day? A beautiful sunset. A quiet path. My iPod. No one to entertain. Just me. Time to reflect on the circus that is my life. Time to think. Not about school or work or relationships, just me. I never realized that sometimes it's okay to make it about me. And if going on a run alone in the sunset is how I get to be with me...then I should do it. Everyday. I will try to be better. I will be better. I will be a better me.

This is something else I saw on my run. An old utility pole. A creeping vine. Out in the middle of nowhere. For some reason it made me stop. Something about the way the one lone vine wrapped its way to the top. The way it left its other vine friends on the ground. To see over the trees. To be above it all. I think it's amazing.

Random Though #295:

I had my first "nursing" test last week. I studied. A lot. I drank coffee and read and highlighted and read some more. I took practice tests and looked up terms. I freaked out a little. I panicked. I thought I wouldn't know my stuff.



This is my study set up
Notice my sweet coffee cup



Note to self: don't doubt yourself. You're awesome. You know your stuff.

I rocked that test. One wrong. One stupid, stupid question. But, I'm over it.

I also had my first nutrition test and my first microbiology test. I've always feared nutrition a little, but I did okay. Satisfactory. Enough to keep an 'A' in the class. I could have done better...but I could have done worse. Now, micro...oh micro. I believe a few posts back I may have mentioned that micro was fun...I take that back times 100! Playing with bacteria and fire may be fun...but micro tests are NOT! Grades aren't in yet on that...but I know it won't be good. It can't be too good if you guessed on over half the test, right? Thank God I don't want to be a microbiologist. I'd be in big, BIG trouble!

Now this week I have an Anatomy & Physiology test on blood and the heart and the respiratory system. I should be studying...but I'm tired. Surprise, surprise.

Congratulations if you're still awake! This post was very long and pointless. For those of you that made it through, thank you for pitying me enough to read about my ever exciting (but quite whinny) life.

I better find myself a cape...today (because it's now 5:00am) is filled with a days worth of class and no time to sleep for this super hero wannabe.

Happy Sunday!

What is this a picture of?
Coffee, you say?
Yes, it is coffee...but more specifically...
It's a little piece of heaven in a paper cup.
You see the 'PS' written so fine?
That's 'pumpkin spice' and it's delicious.
The 'NF' and no whip?
Well that just means I don't have to feel bad for loving it so much.
The giant 'L' on the bottom?
That makes this a latte.
And this pumpkin spice latte makes me very happy!
It's only around in the fall,
so I have to take advantage of its deliciousness now :]

Now, what is this a picture of?

Nasal spray?

Yep! Exactly.

Why do I care to mention nasal spray?

Because, without this little gem I would not be able to taste my delicious latte.

It would just be a cup of hot liquid,

rather than the cup of awesome that it is.
I carry it in my purse for emergencies such as these.

Thank you, nasal spray!

Take that, "common cold!"

Ahhh yes,

HAPPY Sunday indeed!

ohhh and to top it all off...I just realized something.

Tomorrow is Labor Day.

For me, that means NO work and NO school. HAPPY Monday!!

Two weeks down...

...only 14 more to go! I know you've all been dying to hear about how school is going...well let me give you the low down!

I have officially survived two weeks of my first semester of nursing school! YAH ME!! (*happy dance*) I still have all my hair which means I have managed to keep my sanity up to this point. I know, I know...drama queen...it's just school...but I was really freaking out about this! The work load seems tough, but I think I can do it. Correction: I know I can do it. I will do it. (I really have no choice now!) I'm really trying to stay on top of my six classes (yes SIX, 16 credits...ufda) and so far I think I have the hang of it. I suppose I should be studying instead of blogging, but hey, everyone needs a little break now and again. Between work and school I have no life, but I knew that would be the case so I'm putting on my big girl panties and dealing with it. Although, I do miss family night with my boy and roomies :(

So, what have I learned thus far?! I know you're all wondering. Well, let me teach you a thing or two about a thing or two.

   -- 120/80 is no longer the "normal" range for blood pressure. It is now known as pre-hypertensive. There goes the only "normal" thing I had going for me.
   -- Apical pulses are extremely hard to do on my big-busted classmates. It's times like these I wish there were more guys in my class.
   -- Gram stains are FUN! Yah, I know...I'm a loser...but they are! I literally squeaked in excitement when I saw my first slide on the microscope. You wanna see a picture? Yes, I took a picture of my first ever Gram stain and yes I'm going to make you look at it too! Here it is : staphylococcus epidermidis. Pretty huh?

  
   -- Apparently, being an NA makes you God's gift to nursing school and you know EVERYTHING! I beg to differ. Shut your mouth...you just sound stupid. Let the teacher do her job, please! And please don't wear your scrubs to class...you look like you're trying too hard. I don't care that you just came from work...if that's the case, then I don't want you anywhere near me anyways! Change your clothes, I do! Sorry...that's enough.
   -- Medical Ethics is actually pretty interesting. But, our instructor isn't very well put together and it's all online which makes it hard to "discuss" things. Ever had a debate via the internet? It just doesn't have the same feeling. He even told us we're not allowed to use "!" because he doesn't want any "yelling" on the discussion boards. I better hold back my excitement! Oops.

Well, I guess that's about it. I'm racking my brain for actual life changing things that I've taken in but the cursor just blinks and my mind is blank...money well spent I guess! Maybe I should get back to studying...or working...shh :]

Hope all your families have great first days back to school!!

WB Dilemma

Hot pink, slingback, JanSport Trans. This was my first backpack in college. The love I have for this backpack is unnatural. It has one strap that crosses over your chest so the weight carries evenly on your back. This one strap deal makes it super easy to sling the bag to the front so you can easily access items in your bag. Perfect for finding keys, chapstick, cell phone, etc. The downfall to said bag: the shape. It's almost a triangle shape, so, when you add larger books, the bag won't zip. I would try over and over again to get all of my books and binders to fit. No success.

It was then I knew it was time to shop for a new bag. I looked for weeks to find one that I would love as much as my slingback. Of course, no bag could ever replace the feelings I had (and have) for that bag...but I needed something bigger (not better, that's not possible). Finally, I settled on another hot little JanSport number. This one had two straps. Cushioned. Wonderful. All black with a few spots of bright color. Classy, right? I instantly felt the love. The amount of stuff I can fit in this new bag is amazing. Or so I thought. I find myself cramming books and binders yet again. It seems the further I get through the nursing program, the bigger the book load (well, duh). I weighed my Foundations book tonight -- 7lbs 10oz. Really?! It's like carrying a good size newborn baby and a few of his friends on my back all day.

So, here in lies the dilemma: to wheelie bag, or not to wheelie bag?! Ya know, the backpack look-a-likes that have a long handle and wheels? The bag you pull behind you as you whisk by everyone else in the hall. The one that makes that "click, click, click" sound as you roll it over the tile floor. The kind I wouldn't have to constantly lift and swing over my shoulders. Ya, that kind.

I am not a flight attendant. I am not taking off on some elaborate vacation. I am not a pharmaceutical rep. I'm a nursing student. I'm tough. The elders used to walk up hill to school both ways carrying their books in their hands with no shoes and the sun in their eyes and the wind in their face, etc. I can carry a backpack...right? I'm beginning to lose faith in that thought. I have nightmares where I can see myself shuffling through the halls, wheelie bag in tow. I wake up in a sweat and realize it was just a dream...a terrible dream...that's slowly starting to move it's way into reality.

As I sit here typing, my back aching and my neck cramping...I wonder...could it really be that bad?

Beautiful Babies

Babies. Plural. One. Two. Boy. Girl. Beautiful.

This is John.

 He's such a sweet little boy.

He is the older of the two.

I got to snuggle him a bit, but (like any other little boy) he just loves the comfort of his mama.

This is Katie.

She's a precious little princess.

She's the baby sister of the clan.

Her and I spent our visit snuggling and chatting. She's a great snuggler. Oh how I love to snuggle babies!

I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon. You see, these babies have a super mom. She's super special. We got to chat about life. I talked about school. She gave me the pep talk I needed. She always does. Our visit was short, but we're busy gals and life doesn't stop for afternoon chats (although, I really wish it did).

*yawn*

Yep...I'm that boring.

Even made the baby yawn.

And I bet you're yawning now, too!

(ps. Aren't baby yawns the cutest? Aren't these babies the cutest?!)

*Stacey, Naomi, Ana -- pay no attention to my "quality" photos, at least they have cute subjects*

Welcome to my "life"

I love blogs. LOVE THEM. I just don't blog myself. I like reading about other people's lives. They are much more interesting than mine. Funny stories about things their kids said. Wonderful life experiences. Me? I work. And I go to school. That's about it. Interesting, right? But, every once in awhile, I get lucky and something exciting happens to me. And I always think, "wow...this could be blog worthy...but I don't have a blog." Now I do. A chronicle of my "life" of working and nursing school. I'll want to look back and remember this, won't I? Some day, I too will have stories of funny things my kids said and wonderful life experiences. For now, this will have to do!

Work. Ufda. It's been a little crazy around there the past week or so. Too much going on at once. But, I've had the weekend off and that's been GREAT! Lucky for me, I love where I work. I have the pleasure of being around some of the best people I know. Yah, my coworkers are pretty wonderful. They get me through the craziness.

School. Let me be more specific, NURSING SCHOOL! Yah, I'm there. A nursing school student. Not just the "pre" classes anymore. This is the real deal.

I can do this.

I won't freak out.

I will be a great nurse.

These are the things I keep telling myself. Classes start tomorrow. I'm nervous/excited/scared and dreading it all at the same time. But that's just me, I'm always an emotional wreck :]

But for today, I won't worry about tomorrow. Today I'm just a carefree gal. Coffee date with a good friend this morning. Running errands. Washing my car. And going to visit an amazing lady that recently gave birth to some beautiful babies. Yes, BABIES. She's pretty incredible and her family is top notch in my book. It's people like her that I look up to. She gives me strength in my life. She's been through it all and can still stand on her own two feet and live. I feel so blessed just to be her friend.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed time with your families, I know I did!!