Update Part I

It's been forever and a day since I've blogged. I'm not sure I remember how to do this. Well to catch up a little.....

I graduated!

A week before graduation we had a dinner at Pizza Factory with our whole class and then afterward drove up the canyon to burn our scrubs. It was so fun! It was great to spend a night with all the people I had spent so much time with over the three years of nursing school, who I literally spilt blood, sweat, and tears with.  Burning our scrubs was the best part of the night!

Burning my scrubs.

My best friend. I couldn't have done it without her. I'm so glad that not only did BYU give me a degree it gave me a best friend for life. 

Kristen is a continual constant in my life. I'm so grateful for the incredible friendship and relationship that I have with her. I couldn't have done it without her.

Words can not even begin to describe how I feel about these two people. They are my best friends, my advisors, my confidants, and my rocks. I owe everything I have and everything I am to them. I love them with all my heart and am continually grateful for all they have done for me, all they do for me, and all they will continue to do for me. I couldn't have done it without them.

BYU College of Nursing Class of 2012. I love all these girls (and boys) so much.

A few weeks after graduation, I flew down to LA to spend the week with Laura and her family. It was a blast. I attempted to surf for the first time. I was scared, but I did it and it was actually really fun after I got over the fear of drowning or being eaten by a shark or being smashed by the real surfers. I boogie boarded for the first time. I had the best strawberry I have ever eaten in my life. I got an awesome $20 asian massage. I watched the whole second season of Downton Abbey with Laura and her sister. And I went to my first Dodger's game and ate my first Dodger Dog. It was the best week. 

For graduation my awesome parents sent me and my mom on a cruise to Alaska! It was the best thing ever. I loved every minute of it. Cruises are so fun. And Alaska is breath taking and spectacular. It was easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! I had such a great time with my wonderful mom. We made some great memories that I will never forget! 

Well that's a long enough update for now. Stay tuned for part II.

Remember that time?

Remember that time my dream came true?

And I got into the nursing program at BYU.

Graduation is right around the corner. Today is my last day of classes. It's kind of absurd. I'm not sure how this happened. I remember starting the nursing program like it was yesterday and now I'm about to graduate with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing!

Wow.

Remember that time my dream came true again?

And I got a job at Primary Children's Medical Center!

I've wanted to work at Primary's since before I started nursing school. I had the awesome opportunity to do my capstone on the pediatric intensive care unit at Primary's. And I was made aware very quickly how much I love pediatric nursing and how badly I really did want to work at Primary's. There is just something about that place. I absolutely love it up there!

I applied for a job in the Float Pool at Primary's a few weeks ago. I wanted this job so bad. It's perfect for me. Float Pool nurses work on every unit in the hospital; I love the change in that.

And last week I got a call telling me they wanted to offer me the job!! I freaked out.

I can hardly believe it's actually real. I have to remind myself all the time that I actually got a job. And a job that I LOVE. MY DREAM JOB!

I'm so incredibly blessed. Only three people in my class of sixty have jobs. The job market is just so difficult right now for nurses. And I got my dream job! It's just incredible to me and unbelievable.

Remember that time my dream came true?

Yeah. That was pretty cool.

Wrong

Since June 3rd was the last time I blogged I figured it was about time to write again. I'm not sure why I stopped blogging, but here I am more than six months later blogging.

Six months is a long time and yet I can't think of what to blog about it. I'm sure I had great thoughts and ideas in those six months that would make great posts.

Here's something I've been thinking about. In May it will mark five years since my graduation from high school. Five years. Half a decade. I think about where I was then and where I am now. And I'm stinkin' proud of myself. I was so naive. Man, I thought I was the bees knees. Man, was I wrong. I thought a lot of things that were wrong.

I thought I would be friends with my friends in high school forever. I remember Dr. Fullmer telling us that we probably wouldn't be friends with the friends we had then after high school and for some us we would never see each other again. And I remember thinking you're wrong, Dr. Fullmer, I will be friends with these people forever! It turns out I was wrong. Now I find myself avoiding people I knew in high school. Not because I don't want to talk to them or see them, but because I'm a different person now than I was then. A whole different person. And it's okay that I'm not friends with my friends from high school. In fact, it's good in a way.

I thought I would be married maybe with a baby by the time my five year reunion came around. A lot, probably most, of the people I know from high school are married with kids. And most of them have blogs where they record their love for their husbands and children. They write about how cute their newborns smile is or how incredible their husband is. They may write about how fast their children are growing, their first word, their first step. After high school you're expected to go to college, get married, and start a family. Somehow being married and having kids has became a stigma of success. Of course I want those things and I look forward with anticipation to blogging about my husband and kids. But I don't base how successful I feel about my life on that.

I thought a lot more things that were wrong that don't need to be hashed out here. My point is that even though where I thought I would be or where society thinks I need to be I am proud of myself. And I'm grateful I'm here and not there. Right now I'm content. I'm successful. I'm proud of myself. I'm glad I was wrong. I'm glad I'm a whole different person now. Being wrong turned out to be right.

Will I go to my five year reunion like I always said I would? Probably not. Just another thing I was wrong about.

May 1st

Going here is becoming more real each day.

In just a few short weeks I will be in Ghana doing what I love. I can already feel such a great love for the people there. I'm just itching to meet them, to talk with them, to laugh with them, to play with them.

I already feel such a connection. I heard Ghana a few times over the weekend listening to conference and watching the documentaries in between sessions. Each time I heard "Ghana" I got so excited and listened a little more intently.

I haven't even been yet and I'm already thinking about when I'll be able to go again.

I have so much to do before the semester is over. Presentations, pre-assessments, tests, quizzes, papers, work. And I have so much to do before I leave. Immunizations, doctors appointments, luggages, shoes, clothes, packing. But all I can think about is being there and serving and learning.

May 1st. Only 24 days away.

Busy

I'm currently working, volunteering, and "student-ing" with Intermountain Healthcare. They are getting their use out of me.

Just The Beginning

I want it to be May 1st. I wanna be in Ghana.

I had a meeting yesterday that made it seem so much more real. It got me really excited. And I'm so ready to be there and serving and working and seeing and taking everything in. I can't wait to see everything and hear everything and touch everything and taste everything and smell everything and fell everything. And take it all in.

I already love the people.

It's already starting to change my life.

I can't wait.

THE Mom

It's my mommy's birthday!

This woman is incredible. I love her. A lot.

She's turning 49. So in honor of that. Here's 49 reasons why she is the best mom and my hero.

(this is no particular order)

1. She gave birth to me. I'm learning more and more this semester how incredible that really was. Especially because I was 10 pounds 7 ounces.

2. She raised me to be stubborn and proud. Just like her.

3. My mom is the biggest and craziest Utah football fan you will find.

4. She taught me how to be a Utah football fan.

5. My mom has run 10 marathons and counting.

6. She spends her days teaching teenagers Algebra.

7. One time she got lost....okay maybe more than once. It keeps her humble.

8. She loves her children unconditionally. No matter how many times we say or do stupid things she still loves us the same if not more.

9. She is a selfless server of everyone around her.

10. I can make her laugh at herself.

11. She's a big Jazz fan.

12. We can cheer for different teams, like during the super bowl yesterday, and still say I love you afterwards.

13. She has this obsession with a dog. It's kinda cute.

14. She has this incredible testimony that continues to amaze me.

15. I love calling her when I've had a bad day.

16. I love calling her when I've had a great day.

17. She helps me solve my problems.

18. She lets me take her jeep at 5 AM when my car gets towed.

19. She always believes in me and my dreams. Even if my dreams change on a daily basis.

20. My mom is my biggest fan.

21. My mom has a fantasy football and basketball team. And she wins.

22. She'll spend 100 bucks to go to Reba and George Straight with me.

23. She supports me in all that I do.

24. My mom listens to Rush.

25. She drives a Jeep with a big U on the tire.

26. She had three kids with no epidural.

27. This one time we got our picture taken together and we just laughed the whole time.

28. My mom went to college with three kids.

29. She always stands up for what is right.

30. My mom has an opinion and she's not afraid to voice it.

31. I'm learning how to take care of her when she gets old, cause I see how she takes care of her mom.

32. I could watch Criminal Minds with her for 24 hours straight.

33. She records everything on tv with VCR tapes.

34. She drinks diet coke like it's her life line.

35. When I go shopping with her she pays for everything.

36. My mom is a pretty good driver, except for that one time she almost got me killed turning on a red light.

37. She is the best person to have gospel talks with.

38. I can tease her and she usually doesn't get mad.

39. She's proud of me.

40. She always has to pee.

41. My mom spoils her grandkids. There isn't anything she wouldn't give them.

42. My nephews love her so much. They cry when they have to leave my parents house or even just their presence.

43. My mom could totally beat your mom up. She is so buff!

44. She lets me steal toilet paper from her.

45. I wouldn't live with Kristen if it weren't for my mom.

46. She cried when I moved 5 minutes from home.

47. She always believed I would get into the nursing program even when I didn't believe it.

48. I used to sing "bad mommy, bad mommy, watcha gonna do, watcha gonna do when they come for you." (to the COPS theme song) Then one time the cops did come and I hid under the bed cause I didn't want them to take my mommy.

49. I will always be her baby doll.

My mom is my hero. Happy Birthday Mamma! I love you!

The Good Stuff

I'm sure many of you have seen this video. But watch it again anyway. We all need some inspiration.

Some Sunday inspiration for us all:

In Love Again

I'm in love....

with my LIFE!

I realized this as I was running tonight. I'm so grateful for wonderful realizations like this. I'm just so happy with where my life is right now. Of course there are things I still want in my life, things I wanna do, things I wanna be. And I'm working towards those things. But right now I know I'm where I'm supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to be doing, being who I'm supposed to be. It's incredible!

I've never felt this strongly and wonderfully about my life. I love it. I'm in love!

A Good Cause

Walmart is giving away 1 million dollars to the community who can get the most votes!

Go to fightinghunger.walmart.com! And vote for SLC! We're number one right now!

The Light of the World

I hope you all have an incredible Holiday! I'm grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the birth and life of my Savior. I hope you will remember the reason for the season. Take time to remember the Son of God, to serve your fellow man, and to spend time with those you love. I am so blessed. My heart is so full of gratitude and love at this time of year. The Savior of the World is who we celebrate. The Light of the world.

Merry Christmas!

Missing

I miss her. Quite a bit. Actually, quite a lot. I got a letter from her the other day. She's my hero. I'm so proud of her. She's such a great example to me of everything I want to be.

I miss talking to her on gmail. I miss eating lots of food with her. I miss going to the rodeo with her. I miss driving around and talking. And hiking. And laughing. And crying. And playing the guitar. And, and, and. I just miss her.

The Good Life

So, finals start tomorrow. My 7th finals week! You'd think by now I'd be a pro. But I feel no where near pro status.

I stayed up all night earlier this week to write a paper. A 30 page paper! It was over 10,000 words. I'm kinda proud of the fact that I wrote a 30 page paper. How many people can say they did that? Anyway, I better get a good grade. I might not be so proud if I don't.

After this semester, I finally feel like a real nurse. And it feels wonderful! Next semester my clinical is at Primary Children's Medical Center is SLC. I can hardly wait. Working at PCMC is my dream job. I'm so excited! I will also have clinical at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. Even though nursing school owns my life I love it. I'm doing what I love.

My life isn't perfect, but it's good!

The Most Wonderful Time

I love Christmas!

I'm going all out for the Christmas this year. I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. And all my gifts are wrapped. I even have some gifts for my visiting teachees and companion! I made 24 Christmas cards. I've already watched 2 Christmas movies. I'm wearing my Christmas earrings. Etc., etc., etc. It's all so wonderful!!

Yesterday watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional I was overcome with gratitude for my Savior, this season of celebrating his birth and life, and for the men who lead His church on the Earth.

If you didn't get a chance to watch it. Watch it here! It's marvelous.

Dreams

My dreams are coming true!

Sometimes I remember that I'm going to Ghana and I get so excited. I'm going to Ghana. I get to help change the world in Ghana. I'll be there for 4 short weeks, but I have 4 weeks to change lives there. And I can't wait.

Dreams really do come true.

Sure

Piglet slided up to Pooh from behind.

"Pooh" he whispered

"Yes, Piglet"

"Nothing" said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted to be sure of you."

I'm so grateful for the people in my life I can be sure of. I just want to say thanks! You know who you are and you mean the world to me. I love each of you sincerely and unconditionally.

Counting

I took a drive today in the rain. I watched the sunset. It was peaceful and beautiful.

I realized how blessed I truly am. I have parents who love and support. I have friends who care and watch out for me. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel. I'm studying what I love. I have a roof overhead and a bed to sleep in. I can walk and see and read and hear and smell. I have a car. I have shoes to wear on my feet. I have a coat to keep me warm.

I truly am blessed.

Once In A Lifetime

I'm going to Ghana!

And I'm so excited.

When I told my dad he said I was gonna get AIDS or gonorrhea. I told him I would get neither. He's scared for me. I think he's just scared to be without me for a month. :)

I have the great opportunity to go to Ghana in May with the nursing program. We'll work in the community and a local hospital.

I've wanted to go to Africa for a long time! And now I get to go be a nurse in Africa!

I can't wait to serve the people of Ghana!

Caved

Okay, okay, I was afraid of this happening. I couldn't stay away. I caved.

But I have decided to simplify my life a little. I'm trying really hard to be the person I know I have the potential to be. The person my Heavenly Father sees me as.

It's hard sometimes. And life gets in the way sometimes. But I've got a lot going for me.

I'm simplifying my life by using Elder Ballard's advice. I highly recommend it.

He give tips for keeping life's demands in balance. Here they are:

1. Use an eternal perspective to set priorities

-find quite time

-make a daily to do list

2. Set reasonable short-term goals

-set well balanced goals that you can reach

-write them down

3. Become financially responsible and secure

-budget wisely

-don't borrow unless necessary

4. Build close relationships with family and friends

-have gentle, loving, and thoughtful communication

-listen and have a good sense of humor

-forgive

5. Study the scriptures

-study the Book of Mormon daily; make it a lifetime pursuit

6. Rest, exercise, and relax

-schedule time on your daily calendars

-it will enhance your dignity and self-respect

7. Teach one another the gospel

-attend fhe

-teach each other the doctrines of the kingdom

8. Pray often

-pray as individuals and as a family

I hope you all had as good a Sunday as I did!

Cross Your Fingers

I have an interview on Monday to spend a month here next summer!

I'm nervous.

Wish me luck!

P.S. this is gonna be awesome!