On hiatus
Saturday, June25, 2011
I know, I
know. It's been forever since I've written. In a
nutshell, here's what's new:
This past January, it seemed that every patient call I made or patient I assessed upon admission, there was something I could have done or said (or wished I could have done or said) that would have taken me beyond simple nursing education and assessment, and into advanced practicing. So it got me thinking. When I first went to nursing school over a dozen years ago, I told family and friends I was studying to be a nurse practitioner. But, three years into my nursing career, I knew I still wasn't ready to make that step. This year, it seemed clear it was time. I wasn't sure if it was my own frustration with my job, or if this was truly the path I was meant to take. After speaking with my pastor, I decided I would just apply for the program and if I was accepted (and was able to get the funds for school), it was meant to be. A couple of weeks after the deadline for the applications, I was sent my acceptance letter. Yay me!
A few weeks after that, I was checking my mail after work. Something arrived from the university. Opening it, I received the shock of my life. I was given a tuition waiver for at least this coming year. All I was responsible for were my fees and books!
In April, I moved from my large, rather expensive home into a smaller home closer to work. Not only would I save commute time, but I would also save on rent. That, along with a few other sacrifices, has allowed me to decrease my hours at work to make time for studying...and when applicable, my clinical hours.
I started school this month. My first two classes are only 10 weeks long as it's summer school. The work is unbelievably intense and I find myself stressed often. But I'm getting back into the role of student. Because of that, I won't be blogging often (as if I did before!). I want to continue writing, as it's therapy, but who knows how prolific that will be. Contact me via email if you'd like. But my online activities will be, for the most part, restricted to only what's necessary until I'm done with school. Pray for me and wish me luck!
This past January, it seemed that every patient call I made or patient I assessed upon admission, there was something I could have done or said (or wished I could have done or said) that would have taken me beyond simple nursing education and assessment, and into advanced practicing. So it got me thinking. When I first went to nursing school over a dozen years ago, I told family and friends I was studying to be a nurse practitioner. But, three years into my nursing career, I knew I still wasn't ready to make that step. This year, it seemed clear it was time. I wasn't sure if it was my own frustration with my job, or if this was truly the path I was meant to take. After speaking with my pastor, I decided I would just apply for the program and if I was accepted (and was able to get the funds for school), it was meant to be. A couple of weeks after the deadline for the applications, I was sent my acceptance letter. Yay me!
A few weeks after that, I was checking my mail after work. Something arrived from the university. Opening it, I received the shock of my life. I was given a tuition waiver for at least this coming year. All I was responsible for were my fees and books!
In April, I moved from my large, rather expensive home into a smaller home closer to work. Not only would I save commute time, but I would also save on rent. That, along with a few other sacrifices, has allowed me to decrease my hours at work to make time for studying...and when applicable, my clinical hours.
I started school this month. My first two classes are only 10 weeks long as it's summer school. The work is unbelievably intense and I find myself stressed often. But I'm getting back into the role of student. Because of that, I won't be blogging often (as if I did before!). I want to continue writing, as it's therapy, but who knows how prolific that will be. Contact me via email if you'd like. But my online activities will be, for the most part, restricted to only what's necessary until I'm done with school. Pray for me and wish me luck!
|
Lily
Saturday, October30, 2010 |'Personal Musings
Dieting Success
Saturday, October30, 2010 |'Personal Musings
I know I
haven't been writing on my blog for oh, the past year,
but I thought to start adding a few entries. One of the
things I blogged about last year was a desire to lose
weight. I've been on a low cal, low carb, low fat diet.
After a couple months, I've lost 30 pounds. Yay me!
I can't believe how good it feels to get into clothes I haven't worn in months! I get compliments everywhere I go. I have a bit more energy, and was able to get rid of a ton of 'fat' clothes. It's all downhill from here!
I took a monthlong sabbatical from the diet and only gained about two pounds, making me realize that once I get to my goal weight, I still need to exercise the 80/20 rule: 80% of the time, I need to be good, so I can treat myself no more than 20% of the time. I'm returning to my diet, starting today. My goal is another 20 lbs. Wish me luck!
I can't believe how good it feels to get into clothes I haven't worn in months! I get compliments everywhere I go. I have a bit more energy, and was able to get rid of a ton of 'fat' clothes. It's all downhill from here!
I took a monthlong sabbatical from the diet and only gained about two pounds, making me realize that once I get to my goal weight, I still need to exercise the 80/20 rule: 80% of the time, I need to be good, so I can treat myself no more than 20% of the time. I'm returning to my diet, starting today. My goal is another 20 lbs. Wish me luck!
Ebay craziness
Friday, October29, 2010
So, I don't
usually do the Ebay thing, but I have this wonderful
misty fountain I purchased at the Discovery Channel
store when it was still in business at the mall in
Phoenix. This had been my second fountain. Forty bucks,
but I love that thing. Instead of explaining what it
does or what it looks like, check out a similar
product here. This
bowl is a bit bigger than mine, but the concept is
the same. Anyway, it was sitting on my fireplace, on
the lower section where one can sit. I was dusting
and a small knick knack on a shelf fell off and of
course, landed in the bowl, cracking it. So I went
on the Discovery Channel site, but they no longer
sell the item. I went on Ebay to search for the
fountain and found one being sold. It was used, but
that's okay, I could have a new fountain! I finally
got it in the mail last night.
This yahoo tossed the bowl, splash guard, AC adapter, and several bottles of aromatherapy oil into a box with NO packing whatsoever. So OF COURSE the bowl was cracked and the splash guard (the little dome on top) was broken. I wrote the seller, told him/her that I couldn't in good conscience give her a good rating, and wanted to add "what kind of idiot would send glass through the mail without packing it properly?" This morning there was a message in my inbox to send it back to her. Ummm, seriously? Let me get this straight. I spent $15.50 on this item and another $15 in shipping. You want me to spend ANOTHER $15 in shipping to send it back to potentially get that $15.50 back? And of course, find appropriate packing materials to buffer the glass so the USPS will allow me to actually ship it, something that should have been your job in the first place!?
Excuse me while I go yank out some well deserved grey hair.
This yahoo tossed the bowl, splash guard, AC adapter, and several bottles of aromatherapy oil into a box with NO packing whatsoever. So OF COURSE the bowl was cracked and the splash guard (the little dome on top) was broken. I wrote the seller, told him/her that I couldn't in good conscience give her a good rating, and wanted to add "what kind of idiot would send glass through the mail without packing it properly?" This morning there was a message in my inbox to send it back to her. Ummm, seriously? Let me get this straight. I spent $15.50 on this item and another $15 in shipping. You want me to spend ANOTHER $15 in shipping to send it back to potentially get that $15.50 back? And of course, find appropriate packing materials to buffer the glass so the USPS will allow me to actually ship it, something that should have been your job in the first place!?
Excuse me while I go yank out some well deserved grey hair.
A what?
Monday, November09, 2009 |'Personal Musings
Last week, I
received a phone call from my youngest brother. He's 15
years younger than me. I hadn't heard from him in
several months. Oh, I tried to call him but often he
doesn't return the call or his voice mail is full and
I'm unable to leave a message.
So I wasn't sure what provoked the call. At first I thought he was thinking of driving up north and needed a stopover point at my house, something he's done before. Then, I thought for sure he needed something and was going to ask me for a favor. But I wasn't prepared for what he would say next.
"So, sis, I have your birthday present for next year." Umm, my birthday? My birthday isn't until next July, but I let him continue.
"Well, yeah, it's not really for you but it's around your birthday." A pause. Some static. I could tell he was driving. "We're gonna have a big…" More static and breaking up.
Confused, I said, "A big what?" My heart ratcheted. I just knew he was going to say a big wedding.
"No, not a big. A BABY!"
What.
Did.
You.
Say?
My baby brother is having a baby! Babies can't have babies! He's still in diapers, he's still dressing up and playing with stuffed animals! How in the world can he be having a baby? Or rather, his girlfriend. He's too young to be a father!
Oh, wait.
He's 24. I guess not so young after all.
I'm going to be an aunt! Wow. It was one of those moments that will set the stage for a life defining experience. A baby.
Me: "So, are you scared?"
Him: "That's putting it lightly."
Me: "Nothing like having a child to make you grow up."
Him: "You got that right!"
He and his girlfriend can't decide if they're going to get married yet. He didn't ask my advice and so I opted not to give it. They're now adults and they have to make their own decisions. After all, they're having a baby.
So I wasn't sure what provoked the call. At first I thought he was thinking of driving up north and needed a stopover point at my house, something he's done before. Then, I thought for sure he needed something and was going to ask me for a favor. But I wasn't prepared for what he would say next.
"So, sis, I have your birthday present for next year." Umm, my birthday? My birthday isn't until next July, but I let him continue.
"Well, yeah, it's not really for you but it's around your birthday." A pause. Some static. I could tell he was driving. "We're gonna have a big…" More static and breaking up.
Confused, I said, "A big what?" My heart ratcheted. I just knew he was going to say a big wedding.
"No, not a big. A BABY!"
What.
Did.
You.
Say?
My baby brother is having a baby! Babies can't have babies! He's still in diapers, he's still dressing up and playing with stuffed animals! How in the world can he be having a baby? Or rather, his girlfriend. He's too young to be a father!
Oh, wait.
He's 24. I guess not so young after all.
I'm going to be an aunt! Wow. It was one of those moments that will set the stage for a life defining experience. A baby.
Me: "So, are you scared?"
Him: "That's putting it lightly."
Me: "Nothing like having a child to make you grow up."
Him: "You got that right!"
He and his girlfriend can't decide if they're going to get married yet. He didn't ask my advice and so I opted not to give it. They're now adults and they have to make their own decisions. After all, they're having a baby.