"Each song getting better all the time..."

It’s a brand new year and a brand new semester.
Like most people, I have high expectations of this year…and I enter this year with new resolutions. After all, it is 2009…and this will prove to be a big year for me. This year, I will graduate from nursing school. I will enter into my profession. Heck…I’ll be considered a “health care professional.” This path and career that I have chosen will finally become a reality.

And…I will turn 23 years old, yikes. Now, I know 23 is still young. But I’m on my way to an adult. Let me correct myself: a professional adult (?). With that, I guess I need to make more adult-like resolutions.

1) Read the newspaper everyday.







Every morning, with my starter cup of coffee, I will read the paper. Electronically, that is. I've gotten in the habit of skimming a few articles a few times a week...but I really need to stay more informed.

2) Improve my health
And no, not just for appearance...after learning all about coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, it is time that I really pay attention to my diet. Growing up as a swimmer, I got accostumed to eating whatever I want whenever I want. My metabolism is finally catching up with me...which means so are my arteries, probably.
At the risk of sounding cliche, I'd like to lose 10 pounds. I'd like to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet.
To make sure that I'm staying in shape, I've decided to run a half marathon yearly. Last year, I did the Raleigh Rocks 1/2 Marathon with Kylie.


















This year, I'm doing the Shamrock 1/2 Marathon in Virginia Beach with Ally, Kim, Mindy, Abby, and Kylie.

3) Finding my passion for hobbies
During undergrad, I was so busy with school, volunteering at Rex Hospital, the Caldwell Program, Nursing Club and Dance Marathon....along with trying to have a social life. I've recently discovered that up in DC, if I'm not studying/working out...I get bored rather easily. I'm working on hobbies. And I've already learned the hard way just how expensive hobbies can be.

Photography.
I love it. I'm not very good at it yet. But I did get a lovely camera for Christmas: The Canon Rebel XSi.

Snowboarding.
Blame it on my brother. David and I went on a trip to Snowshoe Mountain over Christmas break. Despite a severely bruised and damaged body, I loved it. I loved it so much that I bought myself a new snowboard and I am already planning another trip in February.













Reading for FUN.
Believe it or not...I have had the urge to just read during my free time. I've recently picked up A Thousand Splendid Suns. I loved The Kite Runner, but I have yet to see that movie. I'm very excited to finish his other book.

4) NURSING
I am going to commit myself to my studies. I want to graduate with a strong GPA to improve my chances for graduate school. I want to be the best nurse that I can possibly be.

5) Loving every day
LAST but not least...I want to enjoy every minute of every day. Despite the struggles, or the stress...I want to put that all aside and enjoy it all.


"Let's go driftin through the trees
Let's go sailing on the sea
Let's go dancing on the juke-join floor
And leave our troubles all behind, have a party

So easily forgotten, are the most important things
Like the melody and the moonlight in your eyes
And a song that lasts forever
Each song getting better all the time"- Keb' Mo'

Make a Smilebox greeting

The grand finale

it's that wonderful time of year. Finals.

thank goodness...I only have 2 left.

What I've done:
Environmental Ethics
Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
Theology
Lab Practicum

What's left:
Health Care Delivery System
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

The best part of finals is the random ways I find to procrastinate. I get the sudden urge to bake, to dust...and I just HAVE to alphabetize my bookshelf. And my coordinate my closet. Once I'm finished obsessing with my room or kitchen, I sit down with my books and laptop, prepared to study.

Until I check Facebook.

Or read Sara's blog, which is by far superior to mine...but always a source of entertainment. And Patrick's blog.

Or update my blog. Because pathophysiology can wait.

To everything there is a season....

Thanksgiving 2008

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8


Well, it's been quite a while since I've last blogged...not because I haven't thought of it...I just haven't had the energy.

Or the humor.

Or the time.

Quite frankly, I haven't had much time for anything. I am spent; I am drained. Nursing school has officially gotten the best of me. It has challenged me. It has made me cry (but only once). It has pushed me to give more than I thought I could possibly give. But, it has also made me so thankful...for my health, for the health of my family. It has made me thankful for the opportunity to help others; I feel blessed to be able to help people in their most vulnerable times.

Most importantly, the past few months have reminded me to enjoy all moments of my life...whether it is a time for me to mourn, or to dance, to love, to hate, to pray or to heal....

Today...I will dance.

It is the LAST DAY OF CLASS!!

Its true...I have survived (almost) my first semester of nursing school. Now...I just have to get through finals.

But...to catch you up on my life since I last blogged...here are some of the these I've been doing to keep my sanity.

My cousin, Amanda, and I playing over Thanksgiving

I've also been playing on the nursing school intramural basketball team. We haven't won...yet. But we've enjoyed every minute.

I've taken a liking to hiking, as well. I suppose it started from my intense trip to Zion National Park in Utah with the Caldwells. If I get the chance to get outdoors, I use it. There have been beautiful hikes up here...once you get away from all the buildings, of course.

I signed up for my next half marathon. March 21st in Virginia Beach.

Great Falls National Park

I am still learning to balance. I am balancing my schoolwork and social life. I am balancing my stress and my exercise. Sometimes, I fail. However, I am reminded that "to everything there is a season." In between the weeping, there is plenty of laughter. I promise to keep you more informed. I hope you've all been doing well.

VOTE

Alright, it's official.
I'm officially a Virginia voter.

I found these posters from AIGA- they are my top 3 favorite.
I just wanted to get the word out to you all. Please vote. If you don't, we are no longer friends.

Coming Home for Homecoming

On a happier note:

I AM COMING HOME TO RALEIGH THIS WEEKEND!






I am so excited to go to the Homecoming football game and see everyone that I have missed oh so much! So...I hope I get to see you! =)

Warning: Studying for Patho is Hazardous to Your Health

Today was a bit of a whirlwind for me. We were supposed to have our first pathophysiology test. There has been such a HYPE building for this class. From day one, we have received multiple warnings that this class is difficult, time-consuming, and nearly impossible to receive an "A." Now, I try not to be intimidated by these warnings...but still, when you hear it every day from fellow classmates, professors, and previous nursing students...it gets in your head.

Since Day 1, I have been reading patho consistently and keeping up with class. Since Saturday, I have done nothing but eat, breathe, and sleep patho.

I have been living here:



(my dinner table provides excellent space for me to SPREAD out)





and here:





(the med school library...where the med students are getting angry at the infiltration of 2nd degree nursing students)








I have been so focused on my patho studying, that I completely put everything else out of my mind, including the expiration date on the milk that I continued drinking up until today :



If you can't read the expiration date...it's September 23. My roommates kindly notified me that my milk wreaked; I was too busy to notice. When I poured the milk down the drain, there was goppy goo on the bottom of the milk jug.















GROSS.

Needless to say, I was more than prepared to take the test today. Having devoted my life (and even potentially harming my health!) to patho...I WANTED to take the test today.

Unfortunately, one of the cafeterias on campus gave several students food poisoning- so my professor decided to postpone the test until Monday. He kindly let us know 1 hour before the test was supposed to start. ahhhhh SERIOUSLY!?

Well, good...because I need another few more days to allow my anxiety to build even more. Those of you who know me, you know I'm a spaz around test days.