...from school and work that is! Let's back it up a bit and catch up on a few things.
First Semester of School
Was everything I had imagined it to be and more. Naturally, I was very nervous of the academics and fitting into the crowd and small group of nursing students who I started this program with. I tend to be the observer in class typically. This time around, I was determined to prove I was serious about my education and genuinely wanted to be there. I think I accomplished that goal.
College mathematics was challenging but I kept on top on subjects week by week to ensure I didn't fall behind. I was sure to study the book religiously, week-by-week, day-by-day. I was so paranoid of being the student who had the "dear in the headlights" look and got left behind like so many of the failed attempts to take the same class in the past. The instructor was unlike any I've had in the past. Entirely a good thing nonetheless. He has this fun-loving, easy-going personality and a scattered way about him that leaves no student behind. I really look forward to having him as my instructor for my next two math classes in my upcoming semesters: Intermediate Algebra and Statistics. I finished the class with a 96.9%- not to shabby :)
Introduction to Sociology was interesting, to say the least. I found this subject very interesting because it was something I found that I could really apply to everyday life. It was everywhere... it was like a dissection of the way we live and how we perceive people. I can honestly say... I thoroughly enjoyed it. The teacher was young and a bit feisty at times, but very precise and organized. I really liked the flow of her class. She involved slides, facebook quizzes and improved my rusty writing skills. I completed her class with a 99%.
That means straight A's! Another first... I've always settled for a C average. It feels good to accomplish great grades for how hard I have worked to get here.
I have got to know each and every one of my classmates over the course of the semester. Though we may not all agree with each other all the time, we have formed a little family amongst ourselves. A few of us got together at Kabuki (a sushi place) during finals week to celebrate the end of the semester. A classmate and I have even gotten creative with studying- at a wine bar for midterms and movie grill time after some school crunch final study time. I believe I have made some strong friends and am very excited to continue my journey with them.
28th Birthday!
In the mix of finals week, I celebrated my 28th birthday! I was surprised at how much I was remembered this year. It made me feel really loved and appreciated. I got to sleep in as I didn't have school and took the day off from work. My mom took me to breakfast at Ihop and we saw The Conjuring- a really good scary movie. After Martin returned from work, my mom dropped me off and he took me to Joe's BBQ and Joe's Farm Grill for lunch. We visited a casino on the way home where he mostly gambled and I followed. We also stopped for my birthday drink from Starbucks and a scoop of beloved Blueberry Cheesecake ice cream from Baskin Robbins- yum! Honestly, I was so full at the end of the day, from all the food during the day- I didn't have room for dinner or feel like doing anything. So we settled on Jumba Juice for me and Churches Chicken for him and cuddle/ pass out time at home. I was showered with many gifts. My mom got me new seat covers for my lil shark, a phone case, and Safe Haven (the latest Nicholas Sparks movie). Boy got me the black burlap Toms I've been eyeballing, goofy socks, and a cowboys jersey. Lisa got me Wella (an ammmmmazing shampoo and conditioner from Ulta), a Victoria Secret gift card and Heavenly perfume also from Victoria Secret. I had a wonderful birthday. Not to mention to 40+ birthday posts on Facebook! Thaaaaank you lovlies! I'm not so much into the whole party scene anymore- it's all about spending it with the people you love and who love you.
Adjusting to Work Schedules
Work has been ridiculously slow as of late. Working Banner on the weekends has worked out fabulously. I don't feel alot of stress and they are really understanding. I'm pretty positive they've all been in my shoes in some time or another. However, I have been "on-call" alot of the time because of the slower census (at least one of my two days during the weekend). My personal time off (PTO) has dwindled significantly and leaves me a limited amount to plan for any get-a-ways. I have left myself available for St. Lukes at least 2-3 days/ week since the beginning of the semester in May. I usually only get 1-2 days/ week though. I can usually "make it" with just 1 day a week but anything above that is definitely appreciated! It makes me nervous for the future but I'll just have to be careful and plan financially. So far, Banner covers my bills and St. Lukes covers my hefty tuition. It's a definite tider-todder and I am sadly looking forward to Winter census (snowbirds increase the number of patients in the hospitals).
Adjusting to Roomie Life
It's been working out nicely. I've always been a pretty private person, but I have to admit, the house seems a little less lonely these days. There were some curve balls with the bills and adjusting to blending in finances with some hardships that have hit us along the way like job stability and the loss of a vehicle. However, we have managed with the help of each other. I haven't been able to coupon or cook as much since I've been so busy with school, so it has been nice that Kristie helps out. Even though it gets messy around here, they all pretty much help out in keeping the house clean as well. Having a girl around to talk to and have "girl time" with has been nice. I feel like Kristie and I have got to know each other pretty good. She's a good person. I am thankful they agreed to room with us.
When I get where I need my personal time, it isn't hard to just go upstairs and watch a netflix in my room with the puppies or do some homework in the loft area. Something I have had to lax up on is my "neat-freakiness". I pretty much know others don't necessarily like things the way I may like them... so I stick to to upstairs area.
Staycation and Boy re-connect
The first week of my two-week vacation was dedicated to spending time with the boy during his week long "staycation". Things had been getting pretty tense lately because the pressures of blending the balance between my school/work routine and his stressful job as a manager. We didn't have alot of money because it has all been going to keep us afloat so we decided to just spend the time together and let whatever happens... happen this week. For once, we didn't have something scheduled or someone expecting us to be somewhere, aside from watching my baby nephew a few days and taking Kristie to work every morning. We kicked it all off with our very first NFL football game. It was the pre-season game between the Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys. It was exciting! We accompanied most of Martin's family. Majority of us were dressed in Cowboy's shirts and jerseys (with the exception of two Cardinals fans: Jose and Alex). We rode in separate vehicles and we decided to park at a church across the street from the large University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, AZ. On the way, we saw loads of tailgaiters with big screen TVs, crazed fans, boomin' music, BBQs, and parties galore. I gave them credit because the 116 degree Summer weather was making us sweat so much some of us got dizzy, woozy and nearly passed out. The game went by as most do (remembering from high school), the players practiced before hand, made their big entrance, the cheerleaders cheered, there were some nail biting moments between plays and in the end, the Cardinals defeated the Cowboys. Aside from catching the new Star Trek flick, lazy home TV days and eating out all the time, we took a road trip to Jerome, AZ. Riding to Jerome, AZ has been something I had been attracted to since an old co-worker had mentioned the little town to me about 2 years ago. I had done some research on the prior copper mining town enriched in history and a "haunted" histroy. Now, with a population of a little over 500, the town does not disappoint. It is a fun-loving, friendly hippie town with a string of shops selling random tidbits like ghostly things, knit supplies, general store, a few wineries, bed n breakfasts, hotels, fudge and candy shop, clothing and odd n ends. We visited the historical mansion museum that gave a in-dept history of the beautiful, scenic town on top of the mountain overlooking Cottonwood, AZ and Verde Valley. I loved the Victorian Style homes that surrounded the town. They are just the type of home I've always yerned to own one day. I fell in love with the feel of the town as we went wine-tasting at this shop with a young free-spirit who was visited by her ex-boy- a skinny man with no shirt, overalls, a beard, love for ketchup, and armpit juice for dayssss- they shared a passionate hug before he departed. After he left, she shared with us a little insight about the culture of the town. She referred to the towns people as a community and mentioned they were all family. She shared she was single, but she never felt alone. I could totally see myself settling there if I were single. Hell... old stuff, old houses, ghostly feel, wine, bed and breakfasts, need for naturalistic medicine, yoga and hippies... my kind of place. I don't think it would be a type of place where Martin could settle. Lastly, today has been a day to "tie things up". I went to the mall (something I haven't done in a long time). I spent my Victoria Secret gift card, got some uniform pants and had lunch at Johnny Rockets with the boy. We spent the rest of the day watching TV and actually got up to umph to cook dinner: Boy's Famous Noodles.
House Dreams and Pre-Planning
I was house dreaming and browsing again :) Visiting Jerome, AZ got me into "house fever" once again. I looked up various areas of interest: Tempe, Miami, Jerome to name a few. Miami is, by far, the cheapest and most practical. Time shall tell. I do, however, want to start brainstorming things I may want to incorporate into the grand plan. What appliances I may want or color schemes, what furniture I want to find or other pinterest ideals. My goal is to buy cheap and make it my own. I know it'll be alot of work but it'll be a labor of love. Even though I know it'll be a while before I can make those dreams become reality, it is nice it know I have a dream to shoot for besides school.
Gearing up for second semester
The second semester is still a week away but I've decided I will start preparing for it this week. Rumor is I will have a difficult teacher in one of my class and I am nervous for that. I think if I review a few of my old lessons, it'll give me a leg up. I have all my next class folders prepared and looking forward to the challenge... more straight A's!
