It's been a while

Hey all.  I know it has been a while since I last posted, and much has happened!

As of today, only 91 days until I graduate from Nursing School and boy am I ready to be done!

The good news is, I'm physically healthier than I have ever been.  I know you hear all about people in nursing school who have all those awful habits like drinking and drugs to help them cope with the stress, but I have been doing the opposite!  I'm now up to running between 2-4 miles every day and been doing 50-60 pushups and situps every morning when I wake up.  I've dropped a ton of weight and am finally close to being considered "normal" for my height and weight BMI.  Anyway, how is everyone else doing?

Finally an update

Well I am still alive!  It's been quite a year!  I've been in and out of the hospital a few times, and finally finished my first year of nursing school.   I start back up again in January.  I turned 25, and am weeks from turning 26.  And I would very much like to start back up blogging again so...feel free to give me topics to blog about!  Who's ready for Christmas?

60 days to go.

Busy days lately.  Got a new job, so making money, and almost done with my last prerequisite for nursing school!  I've got an A in the class too!  60 days to go before I start, and 56 until new student orientation! There are exciting times ahead!  Who's all still here following me?

Nice Article here.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/30/health/living-well/loretta-ford-nurse-practitioner/index.html

Check it out.  It's got some interesting history in it, as well as a definitive list of Collaboration requirements for Nurse Practitioners by state (If you scroll down a bit).

October Deal!

Just an FYI, for the next day or so, there's a deal for a free breast cancer awareness ribbon pin.

Here's the link to the deal.  Get yours!

http://dealspl.us/Others_deals/p_free-free-shipping-limited-edition-silver-plated-breast

Freeloaders...

Today was rough.  Saturday mornings I have my lab for my Organic Chem class.  And as it were, today was my turn to drive in the carpool.

Start my day, I was up at 7:15 to be showered, shaved, and fed/coffeed up by 9:30 to be out the door and arrived at my carpool buddy's apartment by 10.  So there I am, on time, where my day went to hell.

Here I was met by a locked door, that I knocked on for almost 20 minutes before someone actually answered.  As it turns out, my carpool buddy overslept, to which I was regaled for nearly the entire hour long trip about how unfair nursing school is turning out to be for her, as she's never getting any sleep.  Thankfully with about 20 minutes to go, she fell asleep. Mercy.

So we get to class.  The instructor announces that due to one of my classmates accidentally running across the test in the previous morning class, he will move up the exam to today, but permit us to use our notes on the test in compensation for springing it on us.  Now I had zero problem with this, an open note exam worth 20% of our exam grade?  Hell yeah!  But noo...of the 8 students in the class, about 4 of them began to complain.
Seriously??  It's an OPEN NOTES EXAM.  All the answers to every question on that test was covered in the notes!

And to top it all, that whining and bitching continued into lab time, and people were so focused on complaining that the lab took us twice as long as necessary to complete.

Followed by another trip home complete with more whining about how CB has to work tonight and her coworker wants her to switch zones and that's unfair because she worked that zone last night and it is too busy for her to be able to study and work at the same time.

Consequently, by the time I got home, I passed out on the couch.

On an somewhat related note, 103 days until the start of Nursing School for me.

Updates Galore

So, what's been going on in my life?  I am so glad you asked.

For starters, I moved.  I'm now living on my own, and it is nice and quiet (when the neighbors aren't shackin up at 3am).  At the same time, its a very small town, which = not much to do, and not many people here.  That notwithstanding, I've begun taking daily walking trips down to the university courtyards in an attempt to get to know the area and maybe even make some new friends.

School started.  Had to put off Nursing School by one semester after dropping Organic Chem. (Midway through summer term, my grandfather passed away, causing me to leave the state for a week to help make arrangements.)  So I'm taking that over now.

So far since moving I have met about 8 people, and made a few friends.  Start of term makes it hectic, but I'm hoping this will improve.

No new job yet, so funds are dwindling, but I should be able to rectify that soon.

Other than that, not much to tell.  At least, stuff I'd share publicly.  Just need to get through the next couple of months then the real fun starts.

Has anyone actually asked him...

...if this is what he wants?

Earlier in the year I had mentioned that I suffer from repeated fights with kidney stones.  So it was little surprise when a couple weeks ago I was doubled over in pain from yet another one attempting to pass.  So I called up the doctor, he wrote me a prescription for the pain, and I went on my merry a couple days later, for a CT scan of my abdomen.  Few more days and a couple bouts of phone tag later and "I'm very sorry sir, but it seems that we need to insert a stent to remove the stone..."

I've already had 2.  I'm not doing this again.  And despite that I've never even verbally assented to the procedure, it has been scheduled for Thursday morning.  I'm getting harassed by insurance companies and medical facilities left and right, asking for my contact info and giving me instructions but...

HAS ANYONE EVEN ASKED ME ONCE IF I WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN?!?! HELL NO!

I feel like this is literally a dead line.  I've been furiously trying to set up an appointment for a second opinion at a different doctor because frankly this guy doesn't seem to give a single shit about me aside from "here's who you make the check out to"

I'm pissed, I'm bothered, and this really isn't the shit I need right now considering I started nursing school YESTERDAY.

New month, new me!

I know I've fallen off the radar lately, but there is good reason for it!(and semi-awesome news).


I'm now officially a nursing student.  After several years of pre-reqs and waiting periods, I was accepted into my first choice school earlier this month and I officially start in about 2 weeks time. I'm rather excited about this.

On other news...there is a temporary job in my present, at a nursing home...but they made all the new employees sign "NO INTERNET DISCUSSIONS OF THIS JOB" form...so I can't blog about it. :-(

I will however be having super fun times talking about school and all the adventures I'll be having in it, so T-minus 16 days!

A bet lost...

Ok so last week, Phoenix played New Orleans while I was in town, and lost.  Due to a bet I had made to a certain follower of this blog, I must now make grand overtures of love and romance towards her.


So here you go Estelle Darling.  You're cute, and sophisticated, and intelligent, and sassy, spunky, and in just over 2 months, officially an RN.  <3!


;-)

Spring Break 2011!

Let me preface this by saying that the extent of my spring break escapades up until now are topped by a trip with my aunt/uncle/cousin to Universal Studios.  I've never really cut loose on spring break, mostly due to the fact that I don't drink.

But I knew, after the way I spent last break, that this year I needed to do something to mix things up.

This was me!  I spent a couple days in excruciating pain, due to having stones in both my kidneys.

So needless to say, I need to improve on this.  So I am going to Phoenix.  Gonna catch a couple games of my favorite basketball team, and generally just take some time off.  I leave Wednesday.  I can't wait!  I'll be sure to keep you all up to speed while I'm there.

N-E-R-V-E-S

So I scheduled the HESI.  I take it March 30th.  I've already taken it once before, and got an 85% overall...but that time I had zero prep time, so just kind of took it.  This time I'm hoping to improve my score so going page by page through my anatomy book to drive up that, as it was my lowest subscore.


However...until Mid-april I think I'm going to be a constant nervous wreck while I wait and wait and wait to see where I'm getting into..

Whiny rant ahead...brace yourselves.

I seriously can't find a CNA job to save my life.  Been state certified since December, and have had a grand total of 1 interview(which apparently fell through)

I just don't get it.  I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs.  I have zero tattoos and no piercings.  I'm respectful. I'm reverent.  I'm nice.  I'm in shape.  What is it that makes me unhireable?

Orientation meeting

So today I had my "Orientation meeting" which really wasn't an acceptance persay, more of a 'this is what the program entails'

It wasn't bad.  A few of my concerns were disproved by the end, so here are my observations.

1. There were around 60-70 people in the room that I estimated.  There was a second meeting that would have started ten minutes ago so I figure another 60-70 there.  All together that means somewhere in the ballpark of 120-140 or so applicants made it this far.  There are 95 spots open for Fall.  Average points total from the people I asked around me matched mine pretty well.  Hopefully this means I will get in.

2. The lady next to me was obnoxiously loud...and very pregnant.   5-6 months I think she said.  She kept going on about how hard it was going to be raising a 2 month old and doing the program, and I was about ready to tell her off...We all have difficulties, you chose yours knowing you were doing this. Don't try to make me feel bad about it.

3. They will not take my HESI score.  Oh well.  I will take it again sometime in April, and have to schedule it sometime Monday-Wednesday next week.  And I scored an 85% overall too....shame.  However they won't require me to take the Physics/Chemistry portion, so Glee!(I'm horrid at Chem....never learned it properly in high school due to the chemistry teacher spending most of his time cycling between flirting with the cheerleaders and making the rest of the ladies cry.)


4.  LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY!  

I ordered it from one of those 80% off postcard dealies and my first issue came while I was at the orientation.

It's starting to hit me now....this is actually happening! So very excited!

Day 11 iPod on shuffle

1. Another way to die, Alicia keys and jack white
2. Falling by the wayside by people in planes
3. Chapter one, language iv of my na Kama Japanese textbook
4. That new car smell, Michael giacchino
5. Kicking the heart out, bu rogue wave
6. Raise your rifles, autopilot off
7. Consolation Prizes, by Phoenix
8. Superman, five for fighting
9. Right before your eyes, hoobastank
10. Hey Leonardo, blessid union of souls

Day 8 - Most satisfied day.

A day I felt most satisfied with my life...I would have to say it was actually last night.  It's kind of like this.  I've been working the same job for the past 10 years.  Last night was the first transition moment I've felt about finally retiring from my career as a videographer, and finally starting the next stage of my life going into nursing.  Last night was the final home game of my career.  Monday starts the playoffs, but there will be no more games on the home court.  It felt kind of strange, but also rather satisfying.  I mean this change has been a long time coming.  I was hesitant last year about returning, because the money isn't all that great, but it takes up so much of my time to do.  I'm finally glad to be going through this transition from job to career, and once I can finally start, things will be incredibly challenging, yet awesome.

Day 7 Zodiac Sign

I'm a capricorn.  I don't know much about my sign, aside from that it's a goat, and something about stubbornness.  Makes sense to me.  I can be a bit hard headed from time to time, especially when I set my mind on something.  It's rather hard for me to describe myself. heh.  Now I've missed quite a few days here so I'm going to do the next few to catch up.

Feeling slightly vindicated.

So I'm browsing CNN.com earlier looking for something factual to gaze on and relax a bit, when I come across this article.

I'm feeling a little less like a naive kid after having read that.  And more solid in my stance that I'm just not interested in oral sex.

Sorry, I haven't posted this week, it's been kind of a rough one.  I really need a vacation/some downtime.  I'll continue the dailies hopefully on Monday.

Day...something: 30 interesting facts.

1. I'm a complete and total geek.  Star Trek, sci-fi, video games. The works.
2. Yet at the same time, I have a real soft spot in my heart for the game of basketball, and wish I could have played past HS.
3. Going with number 2, I'm one of the only people I know who at 5'7" can layup on a guy over 6 foot.
4.  My personal relationships and friendships usually find their ways into my hobbies.
5.  I am a coffee addict. But it is ok, it helps me function.
6.  I haven't had a can of soda in well over a year now, and I'm feeling great about it!
7.  I cannot eat red meat.  My body doesn't process it well.
8.  The previous fact makes me very sad, as I love me some BBQ ribs.
9.  I can't have most pets.  I'm allergic to dogs and cats.  Which apparently to some people makes me a monster.
10.  I would love to own a small box turtle someday.  I think turtles are adorable
11.  I may come off as sarcastic at times, but I'm an actual nice guy.
12.  I've never really rooted for a sports team located in the city I'm currently living in.
13.  I enjoy spending money far too much for my own good.
14.  I've been trying to move out of my parent's place for the past 2 years, hoping 2011 is the year I am able to do so.
15.  I flunked out of college on my first try.
16.  Despite what some people may think, I am in fact straight.
17.  I was once dumped for not joining a girl at morning mass.
18.  I really really like chocolate.
19.  When I was a child, I wanted nothing more than to be a paleontologist, so I could spend my time digging up dinosaurs.
20.  I have zero piercings and zero tattoos.
21.  I do not drink alcohol.
22.  I waited to get my driver's license until I was nearly 18.
23.  I'm kind of a square in many ways.
24.  I can grow a beard in less than a week.
25.  I'm really ready to start nursing school.
26.  I am an extremely fast reader.  In high school I read the entire lord of the rings trilogy in a week.
27.  I've got a rather high IQ.
28.  I can speak 4 languages conversationally.
29.  I was picked on far too much than is appropriate in grade school, and was emotionally scarred for quite a while.
30.  One time, I pretended to be choking, so someone would come up to do the heimlich, then I spun around really quickly, just to get a hug.