A New Beginning

Well although the month of May is just beginning, I am already feeling many changes in my life. I went ahead and applied for another job, but have yet to hear anything. It would be a totally different kind of nursing and would require about a year of paid, in-house training, but I am totally up for the challenge. My hours would be wayyyy better and I would only take two nights and one weekend day of call A MONTH. The position I'm referring to is as a surgery nurse in the main OR at Saint Luke's, the hospital I am currently working at. I'm not getting my hopes up yet but I am HOPING! I informed my manager yesterday of my interest in that job, but only after I had heard that she has hired 7 new nurses in the last month or so to fill all the shoes of everyone who is leaving. I approached her calmly, saying something to the affect of: "Susan! I hear you hired 7 new nurses!" At this point the two other people in the room said, "uh, I'll see ya later!" It seems that a good majority of the nurses on my floor are feeling the same urgency as I am to look for another job, hence the fact that my manager has hired so many more nurses. I think East 7 (the floor I am on) is just so diverse and SO busy that it is a good starting point for a lot of nurses, and then after awhile they find it's time for something else. So anyway, I guess I'll keep you posted on this situation.

I'm feeling MUCH better than I was about a week and a half ago, but I still fight a slight sore throat every once in awhile. I've decided that these frequent, drastic changes in weather aren't helping, but I've been taking this Super Trio of vitamins from NSP and so far they seem to really be helping.

Well Alex just called and said he was on his way back to work from the Truman Medical Center ER because he was having a really bad jaw ache, enough to hinder his chewing even. Apparently he has an infection somewhere under his teeth, so I get to be the lucky one to go pick up his antibiotic. I guess I need to make a trip to Wally World anyway to pick up some new pillows. Mine are getting to be flatter than a pancake. By the way, Alex has put in an offer on a house only a few blocks away from me. We're hoping that that the fact that his offer is about 25 thousand less than the asking price will be bypassed. hehe I mean, it is going into foreclosure, so surely they'll take it. Surely.

Oh, in other news-Kansas City had a mini-hurricane last night, as I like to call it. Winds were up to almost 80 mph and I guess a lot of areas had some substantial damage. Thankfully, nothing in my possession was affected. But unfortunately, my car was still there in the morning. Darn. I was hoping it would either get magically swept away by the wind and rain, or hail would somehow pummel it to its last death. But no, just a few leaves to scrape off the hood. Maybe next time.

Alright, off to Wal Mart. Updates to come.

Where did April go?

Can anyone believe that we are in the end of April? I mean really, where did the month go? I guess so many things have been happening lately that I've kinda lost track of time. This month has brought many fun times, some bad times, and a lot of new ideas. The first weekend was Alex's 23rd birthday (I know, he has SO much to learn at his young age) and we celebrated with a few friends. Here we are at a deserted bar pretending to be like the picture on the wall. Oh what we'll do for entertainment :)

The second weekend in April was the Sigma Tau Gamma White Rose Formal in Pittsburg, KS. This is a bi-annual dance that is put on by Alex's fraternity at Pitt State and all members and alumni are invited. It's usually a good time for everyone to get together, get dressed up and have a nice dinner/dance. Alex and I went in October this last year and had a great time. I guess this one was extra special because a lot of Alex's friends that are still there will be graduating this May, so it was the last time a lot of them would be able to get together for awhile. Here are some pics:


So that gives you an idea of our evening. We had a lot of fun with all of our friends!

On to the 3rd weekend in April....
Alex and I went to a Chevelle concert with a guy that Alex works with and is also a fraternity brother. Jon, the guy that went with us, was going to bring his wife (to keep me company) but she wasn't feeling well, so it was just the 3 of us. Keep in mind this was my first real concert EVER and Chevelle is more a hard rock kind of band. Not typically my kind of music. To make a long story short, Alex and Jon made their way to the front of the concert and left me in the back all by myself. Granted, I wanted no part of the "mosh pit" that was happening up in front, but I also didn't think I would be left all alone, not knowing a single lyric to any of their songs. Let's just say Alex and I had words after that evening of "fun." Don't think I'll be listening to anymore of Chevelle's music.

After a long last week of being sick with something like the flu on steroids, I finally decided by Saturday that it was time to venture out of the house. Alex got tickets from his work to the Nascar Truck Series race and the speedway here in KC. So even though it was a bit brisk with a 60% chance for scattered thunderstorms, I decided to take a chance and go. It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon/evening and as long as I had my bag full of sweatshirts, raincoat, gloves and a few more layers, I was perfectly fine! It was fun to actually experience a race in real life- it really is a fascinating sport if you know a few things about it, and Alex sure does. After we got out of the bumper-to-bumper traffic afterwards though, I had about an hour left in me and I was EX-HAUSTED. I worked the next day, so needless to say I am still working on regaining my strength and energy after such a long stent of being sick. Don't worry family, I've got plenty of herbs!


In other news, my urge to find a new kind of nursing seems to be getting stronger and stronger. It's not that I don't like my current job so much as that it doesn't seem to be a job that is fitting in my lifestyle. The fact that in the 8 almost 9 months I have been working, I have yet to figure out a workout schedule that suits me. Basically my workouts have gone kaput. And for those of you who know me, working out is very much a priority in my life. On top of that, I can't seem to leave my work, at work. In the last 6 months, it seems that I have lost my ability to sleep soundly. It takes hours to really get to sleep and then when I am asleep, it seems that I wake up every time I roll over. I am generally getting tired, physically and emotionally. So at this point I am looking for a job that will leave me a few extra hours in the day to work out and have time to fix a decent meal. I am looking for more structure and something that would *hopefully* not require as many weekend hours, although if the other standards are met, working a weekend or two wouldn't kill me. I am currently looking into a position in surgery and continue to search for anything that jumps out at me. If anyone knows someone or of an opportunity in the Kansas City area, any heads up would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm starting to get very anxious about finding something new. Too bad money has to be an issue-otherwise I'd be working in a cute little doctor's office in a slow-paced, sociable environment! I guess I'll have to wait on that idea.

The only other news (finally) that I have is that Alex is looking to buy a house in the near future. Him and his family were looking this last weekend all around Kansas City and have yet to find something. He did find one, though, that is actually VERY close to me and is a cute home, but is a little over his budget. He extended a very low offer in hopes that maybe since it is a foreclosure, a lower price would be acceptable. We'll see. Let's just say both of us will be thankful when we are closer together so that we don't have to drive 20 miles one way every day to see each other! That's like driving to Hutchinson! It will save us both a lot of time and gas money.

Well, I suppose I will close. I have phone calls to make (including one to haggle with my apartment on WHY they are raising my rent by $60 a month when the market rate on my specific unit went DOWN. WHY??) and I'm going to attempt a mini workout for the first time in ages. I thought running up and down the halls at work was exercise enough?? And maybe a trip to the grocery store is in order...and Wal Mart for some new pillows...oh my, I need a Xanax.

Recap

Just a quick note to give you a recap of my recent experiences. Here it is:
Went to a seminar on Saturday about getting involved in a lifetime time share/vacation opportunity. Won a trip to Las Vegas, we pay only $95 in taxes. Alex and I have considered going for my birthday in August.
Worked the last two days. Had my first drug-seeker in awhile. Called my first "Rapid Response," the step above a Code Blue. Admitted my first "status post" Cardiac Arrest patient. Am picking up my new shoes today. Getting my hair cut on Friday by a co-worker who is a hairdresser. Leaving for Pittsburg on Friday afternoon. Going to the Sigma Tau Gamma White Rose Formal on Saturday. Working three days in a row next week so I can go to the dentist and eye doctor. Can't wait to retire.

The End.

I Need a House. Period.

I bought a new Crock Pot this week, and as I was trying to find a good home for it in my kitchen, I realized something. I need a house.

It seems these days that kids my age are more and more likely to buy homes. They tend to graduate from college, spend a year in a city of their preference, and then settle into a little nook-like house somewhere in a suburb. And although I've always had in my head that a house is a step into the big-kid world that I'm willing to put off, I'm starting to think that maybe a house would be more practical.

I mean really, I don't even have a place to put my box of Magic Bullet accessories and parts.

You think I'm kidding. Here's my only substantial storage area in my kitchen:

Oh, and let's talk about my mini-size refrigerator....

And how bout the weird corner on the counter that seems to collect water. Where does the water come from, you ask? Who knows. But it collects it. And the water turns gross. Weird.
See it? Gross.


But back to my Crock Pot. Here's the old one:
Sad, isn't she?


And here's the new one:

Isn't it cute? And it's RED!

Anyway, that's my thought for the day. Any thoughts on how to better my apartment living space and storage methods, let me know. Oh-and Alex's birthday is next week. Any ideas on gifts? I really am clueless.

Ahhh, Such Is Life.

As I sit here sipping my Chai Latte with the sounds of the dishwasher and washer going, I think about all that God has brought me, as well as all the things that He has shown me in the last few months.

I've been a nurse now for about 7 months, and let me tell you, all the stories "they" tell you about your first year as a nurse seems to all make sense now. They were right. Huh. How did they know? How did they know that I would feel like a ball of stress every night after work? How did they know that some days my job could make me cry? How did they know that even though I have a "dream job" of working 3 days a week and scheduling myself, work would be so hard?

I started pondering the real meaning of working in the real world, just in the last week or so. And I've figured out that not only does working in the real world, along with having a so-called real world boyfriend, mean working on days that you really don't feel like it, but it also means keeping up with the rest of your life on the days that you don't work.

As many of you know, (or have read in previous blogs,) I am saving up to buy a semi-new car. My current "MicroMachine" doesn't have much life in it and is already showing some signs that I really need to put her out to pasture as soon as I get the chance (and the $.) Thus, I have putting away as much of my paycheck into savings as possible. Add in the monthly bills and loan repayments, my financial status is a little dwindled right now. To make a long story short, I was recently asked by a very close friend for a one-week loan so that he could pay his overdue car payment. After much investigation of the situation and a post-dated check in hand from this fella, I agreed. I agreed to give him money for a ONE TIME ONLY loan. I also agreed to never give money to him again. I also piped in that I don't feel comfortable giving any friend a loan. 'Nough said. But ever since this little stir, I have really been evaluating how hard life can be. Not just for me, but for many other out their like "him" who work 50-60 hours a week, hate their job, and can find no time or money to even look for something better. So I find myself thinking about what all life entails. And who teaches people these skills? Who teaches people how to go to work 5 days a week, (well, most people,) keep their living space livable by vacuuming, dusting, etc, wash their clothes, dishes and whatever else may need washed, buy and cook any sort of meal(s), have a significant other, and still have money to pay bills and have a life? And why do some people learn these skills with or without any teaching, and some people don't?

As a disclaimer, I must add that I may not be the perfect "life skills" representative, but I do know that I am surviving very comfortably and am lucky to have a family that will support me, if/when I'm in need. But not all of us have that, and that's what makes me ask such questions.

Well now that I've got my head in a blunder, I'll move on to a more positive note. To summarize the last month or so:
1. Had Lasik. I'm seeing wonderfully and am hardly having any dry eyes anymore!
2. Went skiing with the Koehn family; came back with LOTS of bumps and bruises.
3. Got back to work, although I took a day off this last Sunday due to a "may-ja" headache
4. Been couped up in the apartment the last couple days due to a steady rainstorm
5. Am already investigating my next vacation: San Diego, CA; New Orleans, LA; or Pensacola, FL. Any preferences out there?
6. Am pondering the idea of becoming a travel nurse within the Kansas City area. Only 5 months to til my first year of nursing is up!

To close, I will post a few Colorado ski trip photos. If you want to see more, you'll have to email me.

I think this my favorite pic of Alex and I. Ever. (And yes, he was my perfect angel that took care of me on the mountain. He even helped me up after my numerous falls!)


Alex and I rejuvenating over lunch. Well, maybe it was just me that needed rejuvenated. (Unfortunately, I was not aware that I still had goggles on my head.)


Bags and Jana don't even look phased from all of our morning skiing. Probably because they were waiting for me the whole time! haha
This is the exit to Granby/Winter Park. It takes you through Berthoud pass. This is where we go every summer. Looks a little different in the winter, eh?

What Age Do You Act?

You Act Like You Are 24 Years Old

You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel like an adult, and you're optimistic about life. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. You're still figuring out your place in the world and how you want your life to shape up. The world is full of possibilities, and you can't wait to explore many of them.

What Age Do You Act?

Thank You to Dr. Kingrey

This is my thank you/testimonial letter to the Ochsner Eye office for my Lasik surgery:

"My final decision to have Lasik was very last minute. My mom had told me that she had made me an appointment with Dr. K for that Friday for a "consultation"-and oh by the way, you could have the surgery that same day, so you need to take your contacts out NOW! (It was Monday.) So I went ahead and took out my contacts, but to be honest, I was VERY skeptical, to the say the least. Being an RN myself, I had tons of questions. On the day of my appointment, Dr. K and Marsha were very informative and helped calm my nerves a lot. I had the surgery that day, and by the next morning I was seeing 20/30 and 20/40 and was cleared to drive back to Kansas City. (Keep in mind that I had been in glasses/contacts since the 2nd grade-I'm now 24.) Needless to say, on my way back to Kansas City, I had tears in my eyes because of my amazing, new-found eyesight. So thank you, sincerely, for my new ability to see. I will have a lifetime of gratitude!"