Monday, March 30, 2009

Catching Up...School and Vacations!

So as promised an update from me about life... 5 months without writing on this thing, you'd think there would be some updates to do!

School has been going well, I'm in my second semester and definitely looking forward to December's graduation date. I started the first part of my semester on a pre/post surgical unit and it was really interesting to learn about drains, and multiple IV ports and really seeing a patient before and after surgery. I was also amazed at seeing the same people week after week. It made me realize that as I go about my day week to week, that there are people in the same hospital room, day after day. It sounds funny to say, "realize", because I work in a hospital...I know people stay here days and weeks at a time, but it was a nice reminder to be thankful for my life and health and for the lives and health of the people I love. I've been realizing a lot lately that I can sure complain about really insignificant things (getting up early, being busy, studying and projects), so I'm working on trying to be better about that. My life is so good, a wedding to plan to an amazing man, a stable job now and one to look forward to next year, doing well in school, my wonderful family and my wonderful fiance's family and amazing friends who are there for me. Life is good.

Anyway, I digress! For the second part of the semester, I am on a cardiac medical floor which has been nice. I had my first day last week and it's a huge jump because the patient's seem more stable, but I also know that they can be just as sick, and emergencies can just happen quicker.

Exams have been going well, and for that I am thankful too. I study often, but the rewards are so sweet when the test is over. Ask Zach, so far the nights of the days I have a test are the sweetest- I don't study and I feel like I have a true break. It's also wonderful to have a fiance that helps me study and makes sure that I'm rested and focused. It's the little things:)

Just last week I learned how to start an IV. This is by far the scariest thing about nursing school...so far anyways! Even though I was successful- it was on a fake arm! Hardly something to be compare to a real, sick, wiggling patient! I'm trying to take it in stride and realize that most students in my position must feel this way and that I've got to learn somehow. Yikes! On a positive note though, it's nice to feel more confident when I'm doing direct patient care each week. It reminds me of why I'm doing this in the first place!


Now on to the fun stuff...Vacation!

Zach and I had the opportunity to be off at the same time during my spring break a week ago (because he is wonderful and put PTO time in!). We had a busy week planned but it was fun nonetheless. We started our expedition on Tuesday and drove to Henderson, NV to visit my grandma and my aunt (who drove in from CO). Zach hadn't met my grandma before so it was a fun time to finally have him put all fond memories I was telling him to an actual face. We had a few days of some much needed relaxation, trips to the Strip to peruse around (with a fun ride on the New York, New York rollercoaster and a trip to the M&M store-4 floors of M&M related gifts, crazy!). We were also lucky to go to a show on the strip! My grandma bought us all tickets to go see "O," a show put on by Cirque de Soliel performers, complete with acrobatics and water! It was really neat, and also fun to get dressed up for a night on the town! My grandma also made us an authentic Japanese dinner and it was delicious!

After we left Las Vegas we drove to LA to visit my mom and stepdad. We were only there for a day and a half but it was so fun. We were able to spend quality time with them, eat good food, and go up and down the storefronts at Venice Beach. All of the different kinds of people there never cease to amaze me! Another highlight of the trip was the fact that my parents gave us their 65" TV that they weren't using anymore. What a treat! It looks awesome and it's so huge! Such an awesome gift- and a neat way for them to make room in their garage too. Sweet!

On Sunday we drove home, U-Haul trailer and TV in tow. We were exhausted and had such a good time but glad to be home also!

I think that's it for now- I have pictures to post but will do that a little later this week. :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Overhaul anyone?

So wow...um I'm not even going to begin to explain why I've sucked at updating, or say it won't take me 5 (!!) more months to make a new post, but I'm going to try. I'm going to expand my blog to my life (nursing school and beyond) in hopes that it will help me post more.

So yay! Here comes more regularity from me...one can only hope at least.

A real update on said life to come very soon :)