Monthly Archives: December 2018

5, 4, 3, 2, 1….

This was our second Christmas living in a new city and it did not disappoint. Organized chaos aside, we’ve enjoyed time with family, I’ve seen a couple friends, and most importantly, have enjoyed some downtime away from the computer. No studying, no homework or books. Just cooking, baking, visiting and getting outside a bit. Oh, and Netflix binging. It’s been delightful and is also why I’ve slowed down on here these past few weeks. During the school term, I’m planted in front of my laptop or iPad, hovering over books and writing endless notes and flashcards. It’s important to walk away from it to recharge and refocus.

Tonight, we will ring in a new year and I’m excited about it. I don’t do resolutions. Don’t believe in them. Never have. Most get broken or forgotten. For me, it’ doesn’t take a new year to set a goal. I actually have many goals approaching; fundraising for a medical mission trip to Guatemala, finding out whether I’m accepted into the nursing program (eek!), and in just a few short weeks I’ll begin a new career as a CNA in a well-established hospital. Not too shabby.

Consistently setting short-term and long-term goals supersede the new year madness that ensues at the stroke of midnight. Cue the weight loss commercials and gym advertisements that charge you fees knowing most will drop off within a month or so.  Fad diets, unregulated supplements, home gyms, and life insurance policies get more air time than a Superbowl commercial. No thank you. Give me a good hike or something outdoorsy as soon as the weather allows. I’ve set ongoing goals to move out of my comfort zone (hence the medical mission trip), reign in my test anxiety and overthinking (always a work in progress) and we have our sights set on living in Seattle at some point (long term goal here) after I have experience under my belt. More hikes this next year than last? You bet! Nothing involves the ticking clock of the new year or stress inducing time constraints.

Live in the moment. Enjoy life as it happens. Be present. Bend to what you need and flex as life is thrown at you. Forgive yourself if you fail. Celebrate the small victories. This isn’t a pep talk or meant to be a motivational speech. Save that annoying fluff for the self-help books. My point is that these things don’t cost $19.95 or involve an annoying, clown-faced (overly made up), spokesperson. It involves following your gut and finding what makes you happy and maintaining forward momentum.

I wish you all a happy new year and am grateful for those of you who have followed me these past 9 months. It’s been a cathartic and fun outlet for me.

Cheers to 2019 and new adventures!

Christmas Tiiiiiiime Is Here

It’s been quite an active week. Grades posted and I ended up with A+s in both of my classes, including my nemesis math. I should have prefaced this with the fact that I was not a good high school student. At times I barely had over a 2.0. So reaching this point feels unreal. Celebrating milestones, no matter big or small is important. It makes the days that push self-doubt to the surface, somehow feel shorter. 

In other news, last night I got a phone call with a part-time job offer at a hospital. Once I complete my CNA 2 class in January, I will start orientation. To say I’m excited would be a gross understatement. In a hospital environment, the potential to learn and see things I’m studying in school is great and the fact that my manager is an educator is pretty awesome. I’m so excited. 

On Friday I’ll be submitting my nursing program application and then the wait for April will begin. This is when notifications go out to let you know if you qualify for an interview. It’s going to be a long few months for those of us applying. Everything we’ve worked for will be out of our hands. Friday is also when our CNA 2 class orientation takes place. Once Jan 2nd arrives, I’ll be hitting the pavement at full speed and back into my study routine.

Maybe I shouldn’t use the word routine. The microbiology instructor we have is far different from our AP series instructor. This will be a significant learning curve. I’ll be studying around the clock for this class. Add another math class to the mix and it’s going to challenge every cell in my brain. Our study group somehow manages to find a way into a study ritual. It just works. Finding our way to this point is the challenge. Once we begin, I’ll post on that. The nursing student accounts I follow on Instagram have been such an eye-opener. Study habits, how to plan your time, study resources and tools abound. It’s like a bountiful treasure trove with 24-hour access. So sharing how we study and what we use will be a part of my posts. 

I plan to post once more before Christmas then Nursing Scribbles will take a brief reprieve for time with family. This is my favorite time of year, not because of the shopping (although I do love the hunt for the right gift). Holiday traditions carry on another year. We get lots of family time. I get to pour my heart into baking and cooking. It’s somehow catharsis amidst the chaos and I live for it.  

Breakin’

Week one of winter break has thus far been blissful. No homework, studying,  or worrying about copious amounts of reading, It’s been such a treat. I did have to drive onto campus once, but it was for good reason. I attended a “Getting Ready to Apply” session with the nursing program advisers. 

The energy in the room was palpable; a viscous mixture of tension, excitement, and nerves so thick you could cut it with a knife. As we all stood outside the classroom waiting to go in, curious glances were exchanged for knowing looks. We were sizing up our competition. With so few seats available, everyone is on their game, vying for one. 

A survey of hands was taken when questions were asked about what math level you reached, what electives you had chosen, but more importantly- who was transferring in. The options are slim around here so everyone funnels into application time like a herd of cattle escaping slaughter. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited. I try to keep myself immersed in the reality that only a slim number of us will be accepted but the prospect is like a small jolt of electricity being zapped into every fiber of my skin. 

I’ve almost got my application complete. I’ll be reviewing and combing over it multiple times to assure I have all my ducks in a row. This is far too important to gloss over or miss something that could cost me points. 

Application period aside, the season of baking and cooking (the most wonderful time of year as I affectionately refer to it) has begun. Lists of baking ingredients, menu items for Christmas dinner, and remaining gifts to buy, float around in my head all shiny and bright replacing the murky waters of math. It’s a welcomed change and I plan to bask in it as much as possible over the next few weeks. 

Monday Monday Monday…

Today was finals day. I won’t say it went swimmingly since my math final was pretty hard and I always remain cautiously optimistic but I went in with a high grade so there is that. There were a few people that left the room looking quite pale and horrified. With that said- I’m done and fall term is officially behind me. Fall was my 7th consecutive term since returning to school. I’m tired. Not bitching or anything but I’m exhausted and so grateful to have a month break before the start of craziness that will be winter term.

After our final, I met with a nursing program advisor to go over my application points. Everything we’ve done to this point is for this application. So far so good. I wish I had my language requirement met by now but there are other areas I’ll get points that will likely make up for that so I feel pretty good. Bottom line, as my friend reminded me, is that we can’t do anything more now. Our work is done. Thursday we go to a “Getting Ready to Apply” workshop. We are all giddy to have reached this point after working so hard. It’s a milestone and we’re pretty excited. Yeah, we’re nerds. AND PROUD OF IT! 

After only a few hours of sleep last night I don’t have anything really witty or funny at this point. Without fail- before finals or any big exam or even race day ( I  was a distance runner)- my brain will not shut off. Nerves get the best of me and I don’t sleep. Fortunately the next night I crash and I’m already feeling like I”m fading a bit. I call that being “zoney”. Zoned out, space cadet, hazed- however you want to put it. It’s setting in.

I’ve been writing a bit less to focus on school and make sure I’m away from the computer more than I’m on it. So once a week seems to work for now. If I feel like writing more, I certainly will but maintaining balance is important. This month I plan to rest, cook, bake, plan Christmas dinner, apply for scholarships, and complete my nursing program application. It will be a nice combination of work and play among the holiday craziness. Applying for scholarships is a new thing for me so I’ll report back on that process too. I bought a ginormous scholarship book to apply for money outside of my college. There is so much that goes unclaimed each year. Anything helps since school is so expensive. It’s worth the time.

I have a celebratory gin and tonic waiting for me so I’ll leave you with this.