Commuting: Mass Transit Style

Today I decided to put my unlimited transit pass to use. I arrived at at the Park-n-Ride about 6am and onto the light rail platform about 6:08am. I waited about 12 minute until the next one arrived, which wasn't really that bad for waiting times. I could think of times in New York where I would have to wait up to a half hour for the train in the subway. During my wait, I made sure my pass was validated and noticed a fellow student in the BSN program! Immediately I thanked God for sending someone of common interest to accompany me on my first journey to school from Tempe to Phoenix.

 I had remembered this guy from orientation. Specifically- because he was late due to the traffic his Greyhound bus from LA hit. He has up and moved his whole life to AZ to finish his schooling in nursing. Through all the credits he transferred in, he only has to do the last year of the program. He seems like good people- responsible, adventurous and outgoing. Kinda a free spirit that isn't afraid to get up and go anywhere on his own. I admire the gut that must take and all the adapting that must come along with that. I dont really know if I could say I could indendently move to an unknown place alone. When I moved to New York, I was with someone and we knew people where we were going. Through speaking with him on the way, I learned that he's was born and raised in LA and went to college in the islands. How cool! He was very kind to me. 

During the ride, aside talking with my classmate, I mostly observed. I'm a people watcher as it is and riding the light rail- there is definitely an arrayment of people with all kinds of personalities. We came across a middleaged Native man going to school for a butchering trade, a talkative, young, Hispanic woman who worked at a gym (she was obviously going to late opening) and a wine-o who appeared to be mentally ill with the way she was hootin' and a hollerin' at everyone surrounding her. However, I had none of the usual anxiety because someone was with me. I usually just resort to my trusty iPod and sink my nose into studying. Once we arrived at the end of the light rail stops, we caught a free connector bus to assist us the rest of the way. The connector bus stopped right in front of the school on 25th Ave./ Dunlap. 

After class, I managed to make my way to the bus stop in which Devon told me to catch the connector bus. Then, I successfully made it to the light rail homebound. There appeared to be a lot of people catching the AZ Diamondbacks baseball game. Most people like to take the light rail because it stops right in front of the stadium and there's no parking fee or trouble finding your car afterward that way. I had forgotten to "validate" my pass and was instructed to validate it at a passing stop. That would require me to get off the train, tap my pass to the machine outdoors and quickly get back on the train for depart before I had to wait another 15-20 for the next one to arrive. Mission accomplished. It feels good riding green. I'm saving gas, milage, traffic headache and wear-n-tear on the lil shark all for $25 a month. Not to mention, the study time and a guaranteed way to school- not matter what. Not to shabby. 

First Day Jitters and Happy Extras

I slipped into a green wrap around dress and brown gator skin heels, pinned up my curled hair, painted my eyes and lips in full pin up and put on my black framed glasses. With a lengthy commute, full of traffic, I was on my way to nursing orientation. Once I arrived (15 minutes late), I entered the classroom and put my name on the list for student IDs. A woman took my picture and I scanned the room for a seat the take. To my surprise, I recognized a guy I had been in drama with in high school. He was a AJHS graduate of 2004. We briefly caught up. Since high school, he had served in the Navy and had been married and divorced. He mentioned he had attended Brookline in the past for the Medical Assistant program. I was so relieved to have found someone I know and can be my buddy through this experience. The teachers and instructors introduced themselves, went over policies and procedures, and gave a brief overview of what our lives would be like over the next 2.5 years. It was meant to be straightforward and intimidating. Boom- it all felt so real! After the classroom portion, the rest of the class went on a tour of the campus. Since Chance and I already had a tour, we traded contact info. and parted ways.

My first day of school was yesterday! I woke up and got ready with the business casual outfit I had laid out the night before and left an hour and a half early to ensure I would get there on time. On the way, I noticed the new Starbucks drive thru ibuilt right next to the freeway. I spun through and treated myself to an everything bagel with cream cheese and a tall passion tea. I arrived 45 minutes early and thought I should familiarize myself with the campus. After walking around for some time, I went to the nursing office to sign my student ID and wound up sitting in the student lounge (kinda like a mini cafeteria) to kill time. I noticed a refrigerator for the lunch I brought and a microwave. After a while, I put my ear buds in and worked on a search-a-word I had found in one of my old bags when preparing my backpack the day before. I observed as waves of students came in and quickly found their fellow classmates. It all seemed like such a small world community. PCT students, BSN students, Pharmacy Tech students and etc. all hanging out with their own small groups. I envisioned what my class my be like later on down the road. When I entered the classroom, I noticed the 8 other students in the class were all from orientation. I noticed the friend I had gone the high school with and we buddied up. The college mathematics teacher was laid back and seemed to teach with an informal method. He hand wrote the in class assignment as well as the homework we did in class. The work consisted of mostly fractions, decimals, order of operations... and all things I had done before. I must admit- I was super nervous taking a math class since it had been 6 years. However, I felt that I caught on to what was happening pretty quickly. That seemed to subside the anxiety of diving into my first day. Not to mention, Chance is awesome at math and he sits right next to me :). After class, I picked up my laminated student ID and we were fitted for our nursing uniforms. It didn't take long for us to get through the fitting portion. Although some of the other classmates seemed to think it was a fashion show with how long it took them with a body mirror in all. After the fitting, my school day was over. I wished my friend luck in his biology class and went home. 

Once home, I took a huge nap with my puppies and woke up with a text from my Momma. Good thing too! I would have over slept and would have never made it to our first country dance lesson. I quickly got ready and headed to Denim and Diamonds. I was amazed at how many people had come to the lesson. The dance floor was packed! The lesson was West Coast Swing. It was confusing during the step-by-step portion but I caught on when I watched the instructors throw it all together. I was trying to catch my mom up on the first couple steps during most of the lesson. Fortunately, there was a guy who offered to help me and another woman on our steps after the class was over. It was nice of him. Mom and I left shortly after sipping a coke and water with lemon. We talked in the parking lot for about a half an hour about various odds and ends. I finally left for home about 8:30pm and arriving about 9pm. Boy was happy to see me. He hoped I would be canceled today.

Turns out- I was canceled today! We have had today off together and it's been nice. We've stayed in our bum clothes all day- made breakfast, watched Netflix movies, took the puppy mutts for a walk, and absolutely nothing else. Just a whole day together :). Nice!

Pre-Starving Student Get-a-Way to San Diego!

So we kinda flew by the seat of our pants for this one guys and gals.

We had talked about and planned for this but not really knowing for sure about the fund situation. We didnt want to set anything in stone until we knew for sure. With a little finagling and switching things around, we decided Friday night- we were going to be California bound for the weekend. This was going to be my last weekend off before starting school officially and I just wanted a fun, stress free get-a-way before my life comes to a vacation holt during the next 2.5 years. Unfortunately, Ernest couldn't be with us due to the unfortunate death of his fraternal grandmother in Bakerfield, California. The boy and Ernest's wife, Kristie and I loaded up and left town about 10am this morning. We stopped at 3 casinos along the way to see what freebies we could score and to get a break from the road. The first one was Cocopah near Yuma, AZ. It was smaller and we had been there before. No free play but we walked out $20 up- nice for the gas tank. The second one was right before the Arizona-California border (also eye sight from the Mexico border). They gave Kristie $10 in free play- she walked out $7 richer and away we went. I fell asleep in wake up and realize we had reached our third casino of the day (Viejas) about 20 minutes away from San Diego. This reservation is the most beautiful, well kept reservation I have ever been on. The mountain side views, well kept yards, bus routes, roadside farm market, outlet mall with coach, Gucci, Nike etc... you can tell they put alot into their community. Maywether happened to be at this casino tonight for a fight so the place was hoppin'. We, apparently, never signed up there so the gave us all a free voucher for the buffet. The buffet was worth $20.99 in value but OMGoodness- this buffet had everything from seafood, Chinese, Mexican, Greek, steakhouse, down home cookin', dessert, $5 all you can drink (alcohol)... Needless to say- we pigged out! Once we rolled ourselves out of there, we headed to the crowded motel we had reservations at. Oh man was I greatful we planned ahead- they we completely booked up. Now it's time to go to sleep... Night all!

Goooood morning from beautiful San Diego! The air is so fresh you can just smell the ocean! The greenery is breathtaking and I love thats there is so many trees. It's windy and cloudy today. Not so much for perfect beach weather but were going anyway. It's in it's 60's. Thankfully, we brought the right clothes. After looking near and far for a Denny's... we found one on the way to Mission Beach. We loaded up on biscuits and gravy with generous amounts of bacon and made our way to the boardwalk. I figured we didn't drive all that way to not jump in our swimsuits and enjoy the beach. Kristie and I walked the coast- collecting seashells and Martin jumped the fridged waves until the lifeguards pulled everyone to shore due to a choppy current making its way. It was unexplainable just how good the sand felt beneath my feet as I made my way to a nice spot to lay out on my beach towel- headphones in place and hat on... just soaking in the seabreeze and peaks of sun through the clouds. Once we were done sitting on the beach, we went to Luigis for lunch. I got the giant slice and let me tell you- I could've made 6 regular slices out of this monsterous $5 work of yummy goodness. Naturally, I couldn't finish it so I took some to-go. Kristie and I enjoyed some white chocolate butterfinger fudge for dessert as Martin played in the arcade in the amusement park near the beach. By that time, it started to sprinkle. We scurried to the car and decided to head back home. Funds were quickly exhausting as were our energy levels. Martin drove as we casino hopped to the few we missed on the way up. A few gave $5 free play (for Cinco de Mayo). We didn't do as well coming back as we did on the way to San Diego but pretty much broke even for the most part. When we drove through the mountains, it got down in the 50's! The fog was thick too. I stayed awake through that part- I always like to be there in case Martin needs me. I drove from Yuma, AZ back to the valley so Kristie and Martin could get some shut eye for work Monday morning. We got home about 1am. We pretty much unloaded and we were out! All in all- a very relaxing, fun and much needed trip! I'm happy we took the plunge and got away.