Real World: Part 1

I stinking graduated. That's right- graduated. And, it feels weird. I am officially not a student for the moment and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. To be real, between the tornado relief efforts, NCLEX prep and running/sleeping/eating...I haven't had my time to just reflect on no more school.

The tornado on April 27th, impacted everyone I know..in some shape or form. I have friends that are currently homeless, patients that can't find their parents, friends that are just distraught and then those that are just in a prayerful state for those that were physically affected. Growing up in the south, I think tornadoes were just a normal fear for the month of april/may. I can remember hiding in the basement when I was tiny and praying that nobody I cared about was hurt. PLUS- my mom never took them seriously, so on that day of the recent tornado, when she literally blew my phone up, I thought she was kidding. I've spent some time in both Tuscaloosa and Pratt City doing little things for whoever needed it. In a way, I'm so thankful that I am in a position that I can go and just see what truly happened, it has had a way of reminding me what is actually important. It's made me so much more appreciative of the people in my life and humbled me in ways that I wasn't really prepared for.

So, yeah- I graduated. But, I learned more from spending time with my closest friends and victims in these affected areas then I ever did in nursing school.I encourage anyone who hasn't "had the time to physically help" to do so. Life does go on, but at the moment, these people's lives have been rocked. Life for them is chaotic and terrifying. As excited I was to graduate and move my tassle to the left, I still thought about my friends in Tuscaloosa that didn't get to graduate like they've dreamed of- and while I was eating dinner and having that celebration cocktail- they may have been digging through their neighbors home remains and getting their hands a little dirty. Life is funny that way- it humbles you when you least expect it.

Speechless

So much has happened recently. Tornado swept through and basically destroyed Alabama, supposivley Osama is dead, and oh yeah, I am officially finished with nursing school. Whew.

I spent last Saturday with some of my closet friends in the city of Tuscaloosa. Although I say War Damn Eagle every chance I get, my heart went out to that place. There was absolute devastation everywhere. Throughout the day, we just did random things and helped whoever needed it. It was an eye opening experience. One that I will never forget.

After the exhaustion wore off, I had time to just think and pray for all that I had seen thus far in the relief effort. I realized what an amazing time it is to be a nurse. Nurses are given opportunites to help and relate to others- that a lot of people aren't trained to do. I felt so blessed that this was my field and career choice. The Dalai Lama says it like this, "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." If I learned anything through this difficult time, it is just simply to love. In the news, it's all "looting here" and "gangs here"- just awful crap they are doing in such a vulnerable time. But there is good there as well- complete strangers helping out people and lending fresh legs to move tree limbs and dig through the remains of someone's home. It was a moving thing to see. All in all, I'm thankful. My best friend is from Pleasant Grove and was impacted greatly. I'm so blessed to have her in my life and so grateful none of her family was injured.

Hello World, This is Me

Well, Happy Graduation?
Such an uneasy feeling about graduating. So much has changed over these four years of college. I've grown up, made wonderful friends, learned a lot, lost "friends", grew up I guess. I have my dream job interview Friday, needless to say- my easter basket had an Ann Taylor suit in it. You know you're growing up when that replaces the bikini and chocolate I'm used to getting. :)I'm really excited about leaving UAB's SON- for sure, don't get me wrong there. But, am I really a nurse now? Seriously. I can't believe it.

I'm also feeling a little thankful today. I have such wonderful people in my life. One thing I've really noticed, nobody I've met in college has a close relationship with many people they went to high school with. That just isn't the case for me- my best friends, we've known each other for years. Been through so much together, and I've noticed whenever anything happens, good or bad, that is who I go to first. I didn't say that to take away from my precious college friends. I'd be so lost without them.

Graduation brings about lots of thoughts I guess. Mainly just, "now what"? Thats flashing in my head.I know to be still and things will be revealed to me about which road to take- however patience has never been a virtue of mine- I'm still working on acquring that one.

So, for now- I'm enjoying the thought of burning the last set of UAB's nursing uniforms, ATI books and those horrible shoes. I will take my boards in May, hopefully get the Children's job and go to New York to a Yankees game--- and yes, I plan to find Derek Jeter while I'm there. It is only fitting.

Happy Graduation Class of 2011. We did it. :)

Dear Life, Slow Down. Thanks. Love, Katie

Oh boy.....
As I sit here on 5 Tower at Children's Hospital on my next to last rotation...I think I'm experiencing a little bit of tachycardia. I just signed up for the HURST review the Monday after graduation with hopes of taking the NCLEX stat. Um...say what? It's time for the NCLEX? When did I become an adult? ew. gross. sick. boring. ugh.

So, I'm applying for the internship here at Children's, since this is the only place I want to work, it makes sense. The internship is a 6 month rotation to four different units of your choice. At the end, you rank your units- most favorite to least, and pray that they hire you in your favorite unit. So, Godspeed to me.

Graduating from nursing school seemed like a future goal that I would never reach; and yet here it is. One month and three days away. I'm freaking out a little. My best friends are nurses already and haven't killed anyone, so I have faith in myself, but still........whoa. I don't really consider myself an adult for the following reasons:

1. I sleep with a sound machine. My upstairs neighbor, Buffalo Betty, insists on stomping in her tap shoes 24/7. Boo on her.
2. I prefer rice krispy treats to fondue, cheesecake...basically anything mature.
3. EasyMac is a meal. As is, bananas with peanut butter. (Peter Pan, Honey Roasted Crunchy...Only.)
4. Ironing is for losers.
5. I watch Gilmore Girls re-runs and have them on Netflix. Judge me.
6. I like to break it down at Nana Funks. It's a stress relief.
7. Hanson is still cool.
8. Best thing about my future job: Scrubs. Comfy. No Ironing necessary.
9. I hang out with 5 year olds and they give me "life advice" every other week.
10. I recently lost a cow racing game on the Wii, to a 6 year old, and got angry. He cheated.

11. I rather run than see a movie or go to dinner. That can't possibly be normal.
12. I wash clothes, dry clothes...then one of two things happens: A) They stay in the dryer for 3 days or B) I get them out and then place them nicely in the floor.

Meanwhile, I have friends that are getting married,buying houses and talking about having kids soon. I'm a little behind in that department. You can refer to my list in case you forgot why. I've also realized how to survive night shift: Caffeine, twizzlers, caffeine, stretch, caffeine, practice the wop, caffeine, cow racing on the wii, with eyes closed- (due to the simple fact that cows are creepy), caffeine, repeat. And- just a side note, but my iphone is on "shuffle"...my music has ranged from: George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Lil Wayne, Drop it Low Girl, Back that Ass up, GLEE the soundtrack and now pour some sugar on me...haha. whoa.

Moving on, I am PUMPED UP about the Braves game and then to Auburn for the classy rodeo weekend. (Note, I spelled it classy, not Klassy...I'm so sick of seeing people spell it that way. Grow up. it's C-L-A-S-S-Y. If you intend on having a "klassy" weekend, just call it what it is..."trashy" thanks,moving on.) Jorts and Boots anyone? Oh yeah. But- Go Yankees. I'm tempted to wear a Phillies shirt, but I will probably go with the Braves. Derek Jeter, if you are reading this, I swear I'm not at traitor.

(Also, my genius cat Jeter, went on a none toilet diving streak for almost 3 whole months. Then, he failed Thursday. He recently got a few new toys and had one in his mouth, dropped it in the CLEAN toilet, then decided to dive in after it.)God love him.

One more random, slightly more serious thing on my mind. Asperger's Syndrome. Random, I know. I'm currently reading a few different books about it, basically because of my mom's class, the few people I know that suffer from it and because I am a complete and TOTAL nerd and like knowing random things. It's really an interesting subject and the few things I've learned about it, is that it is almost like a serious case of OCD. I won't bore you with all the facts, but just know...my nerdy side is super interested not only in cystic fibrosis but also, currently, Asperger's.

A little humor for the nurses.....

Nurses.....

*You can drink a pot of coffee and still go to sleep in the morning.

*You believe every patient needs TLC: Thorazine, Lorazapam, and Compazine.

*You can't see it; it's probably not there.

*Your sense of humor seems to get more warped each year.

*You think it is acceptable to use "penis" and "vagina" in a normal conversation.

*You believe the definition of stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.

*You believe that if warm wine enemas were routinely ordered, patient complaints would greatly decrease.

*You call some of your co-workers "Flowers in the Field of Medicine" because they're bloomin' idiots.

*You hope there's a special place in Hell for the inventor of the call light.

*You believe not all patients are annoying. Some are dead.

*You believe experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

*You see stress as a normal way of life.

*You have a tendency to laugh at your patient's "big" problems.

*You know the phone numbers of every late night food delivery place in town by heart.

*You believe the problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

*You've ever thought, "Patients, God love 'em, because today, I sure don't!"

*Everything only happens all at once.

*You have more T-shirts that say, "Love a nurse PRN" than plain T-shirts.

*You've ever referred to other nurses as "Band-Aid Bunnies."

*You've ever been telling work stories in a restaurant and had someone at another table throw-up.

*You write a patient report and have to translate it to medical records because of all the acronyms in it.

*You notice that you use more four-letter words now than before you became a nurse.

*You look in your closet and can't find anything non-medical to wear.

*You've ever told anyone in pain to "stop being a baby and deal with it."

*You have a patient in four-point leathers that asks if you're a nurse, you reply "Yes", and walk away.

*You've ever told a patient to "stop faking it."

*You believe all bleeding stops...eventually.

*You don't get excited about blood loss unless it's your own.

*You don't hit patients or doctors....unless absolutely necessary.

*You believe the pain will go away when it stops hurting.

*Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong and if nothing has gone wrong, you've obviously don't understand the situation.

*You believe if you can keep your head among all this confusion, you obviously don't understand the situation.

*You've ever said, "Why am I here?"

*If you believe if a patient who has a catheter, he needs it.

*Everyone gets treated exactly the same...until they piss you off.

*When you get a call telling you the name of your next admit and you can do the care plan before the patient gets to the floor.

*When called for orders, the MD says, "Write them yourself; you know the patient better than I do."

*You've ever had to contend with someone who thinks constipation for 4 hours is an emergency.

*Ever rolled your eyes when the 14 year-old says, "No, I've never had sex."

*You refer to motorcyclists as organ donors.

*You can eat a candy bar with one hand while performing digital stimulation on your patient with the other hand, and it doesn't bother you.

*You believe Tylenol, Advil, or Excedrin provides a large part of your daily calorie intake requirements.

*You've ever held a 14-gauge needle over someone's vein and said, "Now your going to feel a little stick."

*You can identify the "PID Shuffle" and the "Kidney Stone Squirm" at 15 feet.

*You've ever had a patient with a nose ring, a brow ring and twelve earrings say, "I'm afraid of shots."

*You've ever thought, "As long as he's got a pulse, I don't care about the rhythm."

*You think the ultimate cruel joke is get someone drunk, take them to the ER and tell them he OD'd on "some kind of pills."

*You automatically multiply by three the number of drinks a patient claims to have daily.

*You can keep a straight face when a patient responds, "Just two beers."

*You feel that if someone is shot or stabbed, they probably deserved it.

*You stare at someone in utter disbelief when they actually cover their mouth to cough.

*You think "awake and stupid" is an appropriate choice for mental status.

*You believe in the aerial spraying of Prozac.

*You have encouraged obnoxious patients to sign out AMA.

*You believe the government should require a permit to reproduce.

*Your most common assessment question at 2 a.m. is "Why is this an emergency now?"

*You believe every waiting room should have a Valium salt lick.

*You don't believe 90% of what you're told, and 75% of what you see.

*You firmly believe that "too stupid to live" should be a diagnosis.

*You have to leave the patient before you begin to laugh uncontrollably.

*You believe a book entitled "Suicide: Getting it Right the First Time" will be your next project.

Ash Wednesday

Last night, one of my favorite friends and I went to church. Due to clinicals, work schedules and complete exhaustion, it has been a little while since I have made a Wednesday night service. We go to Church of the Highlands and last night I was reminded why I love my church so much. The worship part of our service brought tears to my eyes and as I felt the Spirit start to due a work in me; healing, convicting and most of all: blessing. We were reminded that "worrying" is not a burden that God intended us to carry and were also taught the right way to handle being broken. My church is such a blessing. God is doing amazing things there. I'm thankful for the friends that I can talk about faith with, they bless me daily.
The reason I titled this blog "Ash Wednesday" is because I was so encouraged by my roommate. She is first and foremost, a Christian, not just a Catholic. It's so easy for some people to claim their "religion" instead of the bigger picture. All God wants is for us to just simply be a Christian and worship through whatever way suits you- may it be singing Amazing Grace at a Baptist Church or taking communion at a Catholic church. When you reach the pearly gates, I seriously doubt saying "Oh, I was a good Methodist/Catholic/Whatever"...is going to get you in. There is only one way to do that, and thats simply claiming Christ as your Savior. Period, the end.
Anyway, back to my roomie- I respect her. She goes to church alone, even though she knows fellow Catholics that either A) Choose to not go to church at all or B) Go somewhere else. Ashley also comes to Highlands, which I love. I had some Catholic friends that wouldn't even try it out because it was "different", so...live a little. The Christian walk is truly a roller coaster for me. I'm up, down, twisted and turned constantly. The one thing that doesnt change however is how much God truly loves me, forgives me, blesses me and hears me. I think I've been in a state of "brokeness" for almost a year and I think I'm finally healed or at least on the road to healing.
I'm a blessed girl and am making it a point to stop taking that for granted.

Your Girl Is Lovely Hubble

So, as you all know, I am doing internship currently at Children's Hospital. My preceptor, that I stinkin love, has gotten me addicted to Netflix. So, she made me this list of classic movies that I "have to watch", and I am two in so far. I must say, these are the absolute best movies I've ever seen. So, here's the list thus far, I have watched the first two:
1. The Way We Were
2. When Harry Met Sally
3. Fried Green Tomatoes
4. All About Eve
5. Casablanca
6. Beaches
7. Terms of Endearment and The Evening Star
8. From Here to Eternity
9. The Mirror Has Two Faces
10. Funny Girl
11. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
12. It Happened One Night
13. Stand By Me
14. To Kill A Mockingbird

So, by graduation, I plan to have watched all of these movies. Netflix is the best thing since girl scout cookies, hands down. I encourage you guys to watch a few of these, AMAZING.

Bloopers of the Brain

I don't know if maybe it's the night shift one week and then normal week the following, (my preceptorship is 7on/7off and I'm on nights one week and days the next)....can you say "terrible sleep schedule"? So, here I am, it is currently 5:59am and I am counting down until 7....for sleep. During this shift, my patient is thankfully soundly sleeping with no distress and I am sniffling due to my lovely cold. So, a few things hit my brain tonight,here goes it:

- I am almost a college graduate. Although, I am excited counting down the days, I'm scared to death! I'll be a nurse and finally be a big girl. AHH!

- I believe music is a wonderful escape from life.

- The weekend of the infamous "rodeo" at Auburn; I will get to go to a Braves/Phillies game the night before and a rodeo the day after....solid weekend. Still, Go Yankees.

- Laughter is really an amazing medicine.

- I've realized time really does heal most wounds.

- Being in pediatrics, I've also noticed how thankful I am for my wonderful parents. Not only did they love me tremendously, but that they took such wonderful care of me. I've never gone without and they are always there when I need advice. Truly blessed. (don't worry, ging and I still have the usual world wars from time to time, but I treasure her thoughts)

- I. Hate. Meatloaf.......absolutely disgusting.

-I really want to catch a massive fish and have it mounted. I don't really know what sparked this desire, but the next big bass I catch, thats it.

- God speaks in mouth dropping ways.

- I'm determined to do the Boston Marathon by 2013. That's my goal. Putting it on a bright piece of paper and hanging it somewhere obnoxious.

- Derek Jeter.........

- I am pretty sure I should go to a "Girl Scout Cookie Addicts Meeting"....No, there isn't such a thing, but I am an addict. The thin mints-put in the freezer = heaven. If you aren't a minty person, go for the simoas....umm yummmmmmm... Then, if you are boring, just get the shortbread ones...they will do. Either way, I've attempted looking into having these bad boys delivered year round, and yeah...can't do it. Apparently, this is "girl scout cookie season".....boo. on. that.

- I am also terrified of the dentist and am starting to get annoyed at the "friendly reminder" emails saying I'm due for an appointment. No. No way. I'm cavity free, brush and floss daily. No pointy hooks needed. Thanks. bah.

That is pretty much all I have after almost a 24 hour day with a 2 hour nap. So, good night.

Why I Love The Old Friends

So, one of my Chil Co girls posted a link to my facebook wall about an event that we are going to do, it is called Warrior Dash. Oh, and we're doing it in May. You get a Viking Helmet and a medal, of course we're doing it. So, I look up the event to see what to expect and this is what I've found thus far:

* A 3.02 mile run

* Jumping over fire, running up rope ladders, trampling through mud, figuring out how to run through tires?, and sliding through mud too.

* Beer, Viking Helmets and Medals at the finish line.

I cannot begin to describe how excited I am. We have such a fun group of friends anyway, this event can just go on the list as to why my friends are probably more fun than yours. Of course, we enjoy the "normal" nights out, but we pride ourselves on being different. We don't live for the club nights or bars, although we go on occasion. We like random/awesome stuff. So, be jealous my fellow bloggers. We. Are. Awesome.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"

"I think music in itself is healing.
It's an explosive expression of humanity.
It's something we are all touched by.
No matter what culture we're from,
everyone loves music."
~ Billy Joel ~

So, this coming Wednesday, not my clinical week Wednesday, but the next....A good friend and I are going to see one of my favorite bands...Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at Workplay. I love listening to them more than I could ever describe. I play the piano, since I was four actually, and that isn't something that most people know about me. Before I became a runner, playing the piano was some quiet time for me to just relax and enjoy the talent that God gave me. To be honest, I still take any chance I have to sit and play, but my keyboard definitely doesn't fit into my little apartment.I have recently ordered some sheet music to Apologies by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and am looking forward to some down time to enjoy playing it. In case you are like my lovely roomie and have no clue who they are here ya go, enjoy.Maybe you'll become a "Grace Junkie" like me. :)

"You've Got A Friend In Me"

There are a quite a few perks to having your internship at night....babies are sleeping, good conversation and time to kind of think to yourself and reflect on life. I've developed a quote journal almost....here are a few of them:

"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar." -Robert Brault

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou

"The only way to have a friend is to be one." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." - Maya Angelou

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." - C.S. Lewis

"Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Appollinaire

"The only escape from the miseries of life are music and cats..." — Albert Schweitzer

"At the end of your life, as a female, having three or four best girl friends...now that is something to be thankful for. Anyone who thinks she has more than that,is only fooling herself."- Unknown

Mercedes Half Marathon 2011

We did it! Another 13.1 long miles has come and gone, and my roomie and I felt pretty awesome about life after we finished this one. There were about 7,000 people to come out for this years Marathon weekend and supposively each state was represented....and probably a few countries.

To start the morning off, we woke up at around 5:30 am. Ready to go....that is, until we stepped outside and realized it was a whopping 28 degrees. Chilly? No, more like absolutely painfully freezing. So, we jump in the camry and head downtown; getting pretty fired up that we were going to do this again. I'm so thankful to have an awesome best friend, she is my only college friend that is: A. Legit in shape. B. Runs like the wind. (Correction: Ashley is one of my few fit friends, Aereal is quite the beast these days. Zumba goo roo. Love her. :) )

So, we get there.....no parking. Great. We drive around for what seems like forever and finally park in some sketchy parking lot of a church, we said a quick prayer for two things: A. No boots on the car and B. To not get towed. (God provided, and my car was there after the race and bootless. :))

After getting the necessities together (ipod,car key and number) we jump out and book it to the starting line, we got there with 5 minutes to spare. Then comes the fun part- fighting the crowd to get closer to the 7:30/8:00 mile pace. We FINALLY get up there and start truly appreciating all the body heat. My heart was about to jump out of my chest with all the excitement.

Then, they shoot the gun. Boom. And, We're off. 13.1 miles to go. My playlist this year is a big part in my finishing this race and my time, that and my new found love, GOO.( Aka- liquid flavored carbs) Ash and I get seperated about mile 2.5 or 3.0.....I don't really remember. But, I do know I got to run by this awesome man, Rick, who was a veteran half marathoner as well....who sang outloud and kept everyone in his pace group super motivated to keep it up. I was so thankful for that guy since I hit my "wall" at exactly 11.5 miles. Everything in my body was on fire: quads, calves, hamstrings...even my arms were cramping. Rick was shouting out the lyrics to "Living On A Prayer" and I literally was...The idea of running this dang half marathon no longer seemed like a sane or good idea...it seemed insane. Then, the lovely people at the water station had GOO...So, I gladly took that pouch and squirted it in....felt like a new woman.

So.. now I'm at 11.5 miles, goo'ed up and literally talking myself into finishing. I am creeping up on the 12 mile marker and see tons of people...stopping.....for beer? Seriously, you just ran 12 miles and you stop for beer? No. Thats the last thing I could have thought about putting in my body...I kindly declined and kept on pushing. Coming down through the tunnel I see the usual clowns...which I hate...and sprint past because of my HUGE fear of clowns...plus they are playing accordians and beating spoons together...creepy.

Finally..after what seems like forever, I can see the end. All the people waiting for their loved ones to cross....Rick starts chanting something..it didn't matter, I just get excited and push myself across the finish line. Done. I finished. Grabbed a powerade and a banana and try to go find my support crew and watch for Ash. I felt awesome.

Running takes all I have...but it gives back so much. Training for Nashville now, cannot wait. (pictures from this run to come.)

In My Mind, I'm a Kenyan

My best friend and I love this month. No, not for black history month or Valentines Day: Mercedes Half/Full Marathon Weekend. This is the third time I've done the half and I think I'm more excited for this one than the previous two. We are currently in the mindset of training for the Country Music Marathon, (yes, the full) and when I've told people that, I get the awesome responses:

1. Why would you run that?

2. How far is THAT marathon?

3. I'll only run if someone chases me.

4. I hate running.

I guess, we're weird. We've accepted that fact. We have recruited one person to run with us, Kayla. We are both so excited to have someone to run these ridiculous runs with. Here are a few quotes/sayings to explain our weird addiction.

1. "No matter how slow I run, I'm still faster than my couch."

2. "Running.......because dieting isn't an option."

3. "I run because I used to be envious of people that could run, and now I'm that person."- Kendra Hudson

4."You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you, but especially at those who don't run and never will...those who run but can't race..those who started training for a race but didn't carry through..those who got to the starting line, but not the finish line..those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You're still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you've outlasted." -Joe Henderson

5. "Toenails are for sissys."

6." The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham

Running is my time to meditate on whats going on in my life and just enjoy not talking. My body tends to hate me for running and I've had to have a little help to keep my hobby up, but it's working out just fine. :) I'm thankful for each day I lace up my Mizunos and hit the pavement. Some people paint, drink, take bubble baths, etc for stress. Well, I run.

2010 Susan G. Komen 5k. We had such a good time together and it was quite the turnout for such an amazing cause. (Me, Tiff, Ash and Kelly)

This picture was taken RIGHT after our first half marathon in 2009. To say we were starving, thirsty and cramping up....would be an understatement. We were so excited to take this picture, and I won't lie....we felt pretty awesome. (Mercedes Marathon Weekend 2009)

Life's Gifts

"Make new friends, but keep the old." These girls are absolutely wonderful and we have lots of memories together. They keep me sane and I like to think, there is nothing that compares to our crew.

My precious Clanton neighbors. I love these children probably too much. Jacob, Anna and Sam- not to mention their sweet parents; Chris and Shellie. What an amazing family and wonderful mentors. I have spent countless hours with them; Sunday afternoon advice sessions from Shellie, getting whipped by Jake in air hockey, letting Anna bug drive me in that go-cart, and of course, NOT getting hugged by Sam. (He's just too cool for me.) :) Truly a blessing to live beside them and watch them grow up. How precious they truly are.

Oh the joys of nursing school. These girls are some of my favorite people in life. We really didn't have a choice in becoming friends; we lived in the nursing building 24/7 and found that we have a pretty good time together. Two Words: Hurricane Bar.

This is my best friend. I am always catching myself being so thankful for her. It doesn't matter what kind of day either one of us had, we vent to one another and our friendship has become one for the books after these college years. She is an amazing person and I treasure our sweet and blossoming friendship. She's my person.

Loving Little Ones

It has been a long time since I blogged. Free time seems to be slim to none these days. Currently in my life, I am interning at Children's Hospital and I love every minute of it. When I first started nursing school, I remember thinking this was never going to end. From night shift at Cooper Green, psychiatric rotations at Trinity and finally now at my last rotation. It seems surreal actually. Lately however, I've noticed that the old time saying,"When you find your nitch, it won't feel like work."- really is true. There is nothing better, then getting a hug from your patient after talking with them or playing the Wii and getting your butt kicked by a 6 year old in the cow racing game. How can I not enjoy my job? It truly takes special people for all walks of life, my mother teaches special education- and I think she must be an angel- with that said, I know I am right where I am suppose to be. I keep waiting for God to show me what I am suppose to do after this, not patiently waiting of course, I'm working on that. Maybe the meaning of all of this, is just to be silent and enjoy each moment as it comes and goes. Life is going so quickly these days: graduation applications, NCLEX stuff thrown at us from right and left; grad school or no grad school; apply for jobs now or wait.....ahhh. I thought maybe graduation came with peace. Wrong. I found that peace doesn't mean being in a place of no noise or worries; it simply means being in the midst of those things and still being calm in your heart. That is my new years resolution. Keep calm and carry on.