Tagged!

I was tagged by Holly! :-)

There are some rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in the post you were tagged in
4. Create 11 new questions for your tagees to answer
5. Tag them on Twitter, Facebook or your blog

My 11 random things.

1. I am a huge HUGE control freak.

2. I want to own a pair of cowboy boots.

3. Vera Bradley should thank me for keeping her in business.

4. The only thing I've made from Pinterest is food (go figure).

5. Something I can't stand is when people blame their childhood or lack thereof, for their actions and "the way they are". Break the chain. It's not an excuse. 

6. I think reality TV is ridiculous- but oh how I love it so. Probably because it's someone else's drama and not mine!

7. I have trust issues and I have no idea why.

8. I'm an incredibly jealous person, but I'm working on it. 

9. I paid off my car but now I want a new one (not happening)  but a girl can dream, no? You'd think it'd be something young and hip (because I'm young and hip, naturally) but I'd love a Volvo. Love it.

10. I don't want to get a dog when I move out because the heartache I already anticipate when losing either one of my dogs now, makes me want to cry and I don't know how I'll handle it. 

11. I wish I could bathe myself in Johnson and Johnson Lavender baby wash. Nothing smells as good as that.

My 11 Questions:

1. Favorite body part? On someone else? Hands. On me? None.

2. What was the best meal you ever had? Anything with carbs... pasta... bread... yum!

3.  Coffee or tea? Coffee

4. Favorite dessert? Tiramisu

5. Biggest regret in life? Nothing really... everything I've done has led me somewhere for a reason. I have things I wish I didn't do but again, there's a reason it happened.

6. What was the last wedding you went to? My cousin Aaron in July 09.

7. What is your favorite book? There have been a few I've been engulfed in but I can't wait to see The Hunger Games movie.

8.  When was the last time you got your hair done? What did you do to it? I can't remember... a few months ago and I got it cut.

9. If you could own any animal, what would it be? A dog

10. What movie do you identify most with? I don't see it but a few people say Sandra Bullock in The Proposal because I act like her... which I do not think is a compliment... lol

11. What do you like to do for yourself? Movie, take out and wine night. The best!

I don't know how to tag people so....  whomever wants to answer LOL

Here are your 11 questions to answer:

1. What one thing are you most proud of (besides your children if you have them)?

2.What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

3.Most embarrassing moment? 

4. If you were auditioning for American Idol, what song would you sing?

5. If you weren't living the life you're living now, what would you be doing had you gone in a different direction? 

6. What is one piece of advice you've received that you felt was invaluable and still live by it today? Who gave it to you?

7. Folding laundry or putting it away; what is worse?

8. If you could learn another language no problem, what language would you learn?

9. If you could choose any career in the world, what would it be?

10. Mac or PC?

11. If someone gave you the option to go on an all expense paid trip today, where would you go?

Update, no?

It's been over a month since I posted here... life has gotten crazy busy but in the best way :-) 

Let's see.... I took the NCLEX (state nursing boards) February 13th to become a licensed registered nurse. I went with my best friend and one of our other friends from nursing school and we drove the 45 minutes north to take the test. I've never been so nervous in my whole life because this was what the past 2+ years have all weighed on. After having our fingerprints scanned numerous times, I took the exam. It has a minimum of 75 questions but can give you as many as 265, it really depends on how you're doing throughout the exam and if you've proven you're competent. Mine turned off at 80 questions and I was sure I failed. The questions were super hard and I honestly don't know if I was 100% confident that I got one question correct. Apparently I did because after a gruesome wait of 48 hours, I passed :-D It was the proudest feeling ever. I sobbed and was shaking I was so overcome with happiness. 

I had about two weeks from taking the exam before starting nursing orientation at the hospital and I did nothing really. I got a massage (I had promised myself throughout nursing school that if I passed the semester, I'd treat myself... and I never did even though I passed each time so it was long overdue) and went to dinner with friends. I felt like I was slowly getting my life back. :-) 

Tuesday March 6th I started nursing orientation and the basic stuff is super boring. I was on the floor Thursday and Friday of this past week and absolutely love love love it. I feel like this dream has come true. Being in my blue scrubs and having that RN badge on is seriously surreal. I still cannot believe it. I hope this feeling continues and while I am nervous, I am beyond thrilled. 

So I will be on orientation for about 2 months; one more week in classroom orientation *boring* and then will be on day shift for a month and then PM's for a month. After that, I will stay on PM's full time. I feel incredibly blessed <3

Over it.

So I decided I need to change things... I've become really bitter about people, about expectations (for myself and from others), cattiness and just society as a whole. I'm sick of trying to please everyone, caring so much about what people think of me. I'm really tired of putting forth 100% in a relationship and getting 25% back. I need to start living for myself and for God, not others. I fear this may make me come off as selfish but then, that would be caring what people think. I need to stop feeling bad about things beyond my control. I have my own life to lead.

Now that nursing school is over, I have no excuse to get into shape. I actually ordered the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution package so I am really hoping it helps me get on the right track. Her 30 day shred, along with running, really helped me so I'm hoping it'll continue (and not kill me).

I'm just sick of trying to make everyone happy and putting myself on the back burner.

Too much!

What a whirlwind of a few weeks it has been. Yesterday, January 13th, I was offered a full time RN PM shift position in Mother Baby where I currently work. I cannot describe what an answer to prayers that is for me. But I am scared crapless right now.... for boards and for being a nurse. LOL It's like this has been what I've been longing for and now that it's so close, it's just scary! By the Grace of God though, I know I will pass the boards and do well when I begin my new job in March. :)

It's over...

I cannot believe I am DONE with nursing school. It doesn't seem real.... People keep asking me 'how does it feel?' and I never know how to respond to that. I do feel I've been done for a week or so because the last week has really been quiet. I worked a lot, had to pick up our ribbons for the pinning ceremony and such but other than that? It's been a week of conclusions; I got 199/200 in my capstone class... 100% on my final paper (which I thought for SURE I would need to redo) and almost straight A's this semester (ugh missed an A in critical care by a percent!). But, I digress, I will happily take what I've got. :-D

My preceptor for capstone ended up not being with me my final week... she is 30 weeks pregnant and started having contractions so she was on bedrest at home for my last two days. At first I was disappointed because I love working with her and definitely missed her and felt lost. However, it was nice working with two different nurses to see how they do things. I learned a lot from them and am grateful to their entire unit for helping me become a better nurse. It was the best experience I've had in my two years as a nursing student. 

Friday night we had our nursing bar crawl.... I have never had so much fun in my whole life. These girls are amazing and I am so blessed to have gone through this program with them. We went to a few bars, had dinner and enjoyed ourselves. 

Saturday was our pinning (I know, bad planning to have a bar crawl the night before graduation). It, again, was surreal. I had chills the whole time I was sitting with my class and was shaking when I walked across stage. When you've been waiting for something for 2+ years and it's finally being given to you? You don't know what to do with it. It is truly an amazing feeling. <3

This whole blog, I feel, has been about my struggles throughout school and it's crazy to look back and to see how far I've come. Now, onto studying for boards.... hopefully passing... and then figuring out my job situation. :)

Santa? I'd like the gift of time, please.

My anxiety level lately has been pretty high. I am not entirely sure what is causing it but I hate it. It's unreasonable, for example my parents were out of town this past weekend. I had this gut wrenching thought that something would happen to them on the way home. Nothing did thank goodness but that's ridiculous! I've never been one to think like that. UGH.

The next two weeks or so are so chaotic it's keeping my anxiety levels on the rise. I work two 12 hour shifts tomorrow and Friday, three 8 hour shifts in a row Saturday through Monday, another 12 hour shift on Tuesday and we leave for Door County, WI on Wednesday. Not to mention a dentist appointment I made for Monday before work and a poster project I need to complete before Wednesday because when I come home from Door County on Saturday, I work 12 hours Sunday, 8 hours on Monday and 12 on Tuesday. The poster is due Wednesday. When will I work on it? I may have to bring it to Door County and work on it in the hotel. 

What's funny about this whole thing is my instructor stopped by the unit yesterday during my 12 hour shift and when we were talking, she asked if it was nice having a little more time in my life. I literally laughed. I think I had more time when I had tests to study for and material to read. Now? I spend my time back and forth between two hospitals, hoping I am at the correct one on the correct day wearing the correct scrubs. So far, so good. I just wish I had more energy at the end of the day... I'm barely able to keep my eyes open on the drive home after 12 hours so I know that on Friday when I go to write my 6 page weekly journal, my face is going to fall flat on my keyboard. Now my parents want to take me out for a birthday lunch on Saturday (which is super nice and I appreciate it so much because I won't have any time for a usual birthday dinner since I'm gone all of the effing time) but I may ask to reschedule that because I could work on my poster on Saturday. We're going to Door County to have Thanksgiving with my grandma as her cancer news is not good. :( We'll be there until Saturday, Sunday I work 12 hours, Monday is 8 hours, Tuesday is 12 and Wednesday the 30th my poster is due so from 1-4pm, I'll be at school trying to put on a happy face while in reality, I'll be yearning for my bed to sleep in. Then I work 8's for the next three days after that. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. 

And saying 'you're almost there!'? Not so comforting. I know that. I cross off every single day on my calendar as the days go by. Believe me.

On a fun note, my parents gave me an iPad for graduation. Yes, already. I kept bugging them and they finally caved on getting it before graduation. However, I may as well have waited because Lord knows I won't have the time to play with it. Maybe on the drive up to WI. 


And also... the real reason I'm doing all of this. The official photo. :)

What I've been waiting for...

My unofficial nursing cap photo. :-)