Oh so rewarding.

Today was a great day. Wednesdays are clinic days for the surgeon I work for. He sees 25-30 patients every Wednesday. 13 new patients and the rest are return patients anywhere from 6 weeks to 10 or so years out from surgery. I am beginning to see the impact I can have on these patients. Some come and go with little to say. Others are grateful to me and all I did for them. It blows my mind how grateful these people are that I visited them in the hospital. My job is to see them everyday while they are in the hospital. Often it is just a social visit. On some occasions I help facilitate their care in the hospital or at home. It is amazing what a visit can do for these patients.
Today so many thanked me for all I do for them. It has inspired me and I look forward to visiting my patients each day. I loved working in the hospital hours to days after a surgery. I felt I made a difference there. However, after I discharged the patient I knew little of their care. Now I get to know these patients and their stories. I see them come in desperate for a solution to their pain. Then I get to see them months later grateful for the help they recieved. It is nice to see the whole process and help the patients through this.
I am grateful for this great job I have. I work with a great team of Doctors and medical personnell.
This job has proven to be a challenge, but after today it is all worth it.

A head and heart disconnect...

This is my diagnosis for myself these days. My heart wants to feel and it wants to love like it does best but it cannot because my brain is in overload. When I start to feel I cannot sort through those feelings so my brain takes over. The results are disastrous. Even simply being the support I want to for my friends is too much at times. I wonder how I let things get to this point, but even trying to sort that out is overwhelming.
Hopefully, I can keep my mind in check for ten more weeks. Hopefully, I can distract it with all the studying I have to do.
Luckily, despite the drama I have created for myself I really am happy. I know I am where I need to be. I know I have made the right decision to pursue this education. I am truly blessed. I just hope I do not hurt too many people along the way.

Dating me is a chore

Just had the worst date ever.

Maybe I just didn't want to be on it.

Maybe it was not only him.

We were suppose to go on a hike but it started raining. So he decided to take me bowling. I have been on 5 dates this year and 3 of them have been bowling maybe next year I should change my goal from one new date a month to one new date activity a month. I shouldn't complain about this guys choice in activities, It was the weathers fault. Anyway he picked me up at 830 pm and dropped me off in the parking lot at 930 where he gave me a side hug then pointed and winked at me at said "catch you later."

Ah what a catch.

I bet he is glad to get that date over with.

Oh well I fulfilled my monthly goal.

Some people thrive off my dating stories. This one is for you.

Mile tracker

Don't have time to post just a quick brag...

Current mile time 11 mins 45 seconds and improving

Who would of thought me running!


Oh I need suggestions my lead in the biggest loser is fading.. I am counting calories and exercising... running and biking upper body weights. I don't like doing much more but I think it is because I do not know what else to do. Suggestions welcome.

Benefit Masquerade

My friend had the wonderful idea to have a Masquerade Ball to raise money for a local camp for handicapped children. Her goal was to raise money to sponsor a scholarship for one lucky camper. She put together one amazing night. Her backyard was transformed... the food was delicious... there was tons of fun to be had. Best of all we raised a good amount of money.

My friends are complete nerds but I love them all.
This one I love the most.

This crew is pretty amazing!

Biggest Loser

I got a new job and put on ten pounds which is no good. Good news is work is hosting a biggest loser competition. I started back at the gym. I ran on the treadmill and clocked a 17 minute mile. That was mainly walking. The next time I went I brought it down to a 14 minute mile. Today 12 minutes and 53 seconds. I want to go to the gym again I love working out.

I will be the biggest loser!!

Oh yeah three weeks and 5 lb weight loss.

The latest homework distraction...

I love these videos...so funny. Hey honey you want me to play with you...thats all I got.

Fear??

Oh my gosh I was so excited to go on this ward trip and conquer the ropes courses. Fear never entered me as I thought about all the exciting obstacles I would face. In the morning we did one course where you climbed a net then walked across several planks then down a zip line. My team decided to time each other to see who could do it the fastest. I did not come close but I had fun. In the afternoon we did another course where you climbed a pole then walked across a cable with a few ropes hanging down to hold on to then down a zip line. I raced up the pole and had no problem with the transition of footing. However once I was standing on the wire I lost it I was scared to death but I made it. How fun.

I booked it up this pole. I see a future in telephone wire repair.

Once i finally relaxed and put a smile on my face.
I made it!
Thank goodness for friends I might have been stuck in that harness. (My hips don't lie)

My awesome team geared up to attack the course!
Challenge exercises. Climbing the Berlin wall!

What a fun weekend. What a fun ward. I am going to miss them.

Everyday an adventure

I love this crazy life I live. Whenever I say that it means I have learned a lesson or faced another challenge. I can confirm I have done both but I will not bore you with the details because it has been multiple challenges and many lessons learned.

But I will update you with where I am at this time in my life.

School... 6 months left...They just might become the longest 6 months of my life but I am up for the challenge. Good news is I am passed the half way mark. In my upcoming classes I will learn about community nursing, epidemiology, American government, nurse leadership and more. I am most excited about my capstone project. As part of that project I am seeking a certification in Orthopaedic nursing. It is going to require nearly 70 hours of pure studying. I am excited though because it is in a field I love working in. This requirement will be of most use to the field of nursing I currently work in.

Work... Two months ago I accepted a position as a Patient Care Coordinator for a Joint Replacement Surgeon. Many have heard the story of me nearly sabotaging my interview. Here is a summary... I knew I was a shoe in for this position I was confident up until the moment I met with the doctor... in that interview I told him I did not want the position, I really liked my current job but appreciated the chance to consider it. He just looked at me and laughed and said "I think you are scared" then asked me to reconsider. Well I am so glad I did because I almost passed up and opportunity of a life time. I now work with a talented team consisting of a doctor, physician assistant , fellow, residents and medical assistants. I am learning everyday. This doctor is going to push me to become the nurse I never knew I could be. The patients provide me with endless entertainment as well. They are such wonderful people.

Home... Three years into a life in Utah and I still consider Arizona home... even if my parents live in a different home than I remember. However, the home I live in here in Utah is just as swell. I got one great roommate that is such a support to me. I love that girl. Together we have decided to mix it up a little and move. We are not going far but we hope for new opportunities for growth. We found a nice apartment and will be moving in a month. Should be fun.

Church... the one reason I do not want to move... I am giving up by far my favorite calling. For the last year and a half I have had the opportunity to serve as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society. I serve with an amazing Presidency. Our role is easy because of the amazing girls we get to serve. I am so sad I have to leave this calling. I have learned so much about myself and have enjoyed the friendships I have made. Thank goodness I will not be far because I could no make it without these girls in my life. They have been such a support to me. Sad to go but excited for the next adventure.

That is my life right now. Trying to learn as I stumble along.

Just let me have this moment

How come in life you can feel so blessed, so enriched and know you are doing the right thing, working in the right job... You can be surrounded by so many wonderful people... Yet you can feel so alone at the same time.

Luckily, I know where to turn...I know how to get on my knees...I know the Lord will comfort me and remind me I am not alone.

You Are My Sunshine!!

You are my Sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When the skies are grey
I hope you know Bill
How much I love you
So please don’t take
My sunshine
Away

I love you Grandpa!

I hope you have always known how much we love you!

Thanks for loving us!
Thanks for loving me!

I got a new job!!!

Yup I do! A new job. I have been wanting to make a change for awhile now but I had no sense of direction for myself. I thought about critical care because I would love to have that knowledge in my bag of skills. However, I know myself and I do not think I would enjoy that stressful enviroment. If I am going to learn something I am going to put the proper time into it. I could not see myself happy while I learn in an enviroment I find stressful. I already have one of those...school... I can handle that for ten more months.

So I decided to stay where I am at till I am done with school. I even found ways to make my job more enjoyable and less stressful at times. I went to work and focused on my attitude and work was better. (Amazing, huh) Well of course once we figure stuff like that out...Life changes. I was at work and one of the nurses said did you hear about this doctors new nursing position. She told me all about it and I though if I was not in school that would be the job for me. Then someone said don't let school hold you back if you think you are the one for the job go for it. So that day I submitted my application.

Blah Blah Blah

I interviewed and turned down the job. The doctor asked me to reconsider...he thought I was just scared.

Blah Blah Blah

I reconsidered and got the job!!!!

So what is the job you ask. I will be working for one of the Orthopaedic Surgeons. I will meet his patients in clinic and start educating them about their surgery and put a face with the voice that will be calling them in the coming weeks. Prior to their surgery I will help them prep. Once they have surgery I will visit them in the hospital help make sure they are getting the care they need, round with the doctors, make sure homehealth is arranged according to their needs. Then I will make follow up calls a week after surgery. It is a lot of new stuff, but I think it is the patient interaction that I love. It will be a great learning opportunity and an awesome piece to a future resume.
I am excited and nervous.

I feel the Lord has guided my career thus far so I can go forward with faith that this is the right move for me!

Big thank you to everyone that has had a hand in my life thus far. You each made a difference!
Thank You!

Girls Cruise 2010

We ported in Cozumel Mexico and took the ferry to the mainland. From there our tour guide took us to Tulum to see the Miyan Ruins. They were beautiful they sat right on the ocean. Our tour guide gave us some great history. It was the Church tour guide we ran into later that really made the history come alive. After spending time in Tulum we played at the beach. Then we got back on the ferry that turns stomachs.

Unfortunatly, we only took water cameras with us to shore in Belize so I do not have many pictures to share. In Belize we went cave tubing. The limestone caves were beautiful and the experience was truly memorable. Esecially the race back to the boat. We feared we were going to be left behind. As promised our guides got us back in time.

Isla Roatan was our relaxing day. We had a taxi driver give us a tour of the Island. We shopped the viewed thea rainforest. From one point on the island we could see the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Pretty cool. We also kicked back and enjoyed the beach.

Our last port was Grand Cayman. I was most excited about this stop because I was going to go snorkling. Before we went snorkling we visited sting ray city. We hoped on a catamaran and went out to a sandbar in the beautiful clear ocean and played with the rays. This was a time full of I was going to say smiles and laughter but lets be honest they were squeals of delight. The sting rays new we had food and they were searching for it. You could be standing really close to the person next to you and the rays would still squeeze between you. It was so much fun. We got to feed them hold them and kiss them, then they gave us back rubs. It was great. Kissing a sting ray brings you 7 years of good luck. French kissing brings you a lifetime of good luck. Naturally, I frenched the sting ray. After this we went to the reef and snorkled. I have no pictures unfortunatly. But let me tell you it was beautiful.

Our snorkling was cut short by an experience I hope I do not have to become accustomed to on all my vacations. One of our fellow snorklers had what we think was a heart attack. After he was pulled out of the water Monica and I along with another nurse performed CPR for 15 minutes in a speeding boat. This was my first CPR experience. It was almost an out of body experience. The man passed away, the reason I share the experience is because it was almost beautiful in a sense. This man loved Grand Cayman, he had come once with his late wife. With her he was never able to visit sting ray city. H ecould not wait to be able to return and swim with the sting rays. On this day he got to do that with his daughters and grandchildren. Then he passed away in his favorite place. As I was doing CPR on this man I felt such peace (this was all before I knew his love for the island) I knew we were not going to get him back but it was okay. I believe the Lords will was done that day. Not that I want to find myself doing CPR often it was kinda cool to be side by side with my sister.

On formal night we could not resist putting on our life jackets in our gowns. We felt like the movie Overboard. People just laughed as they walked by us. We then told them not to panic all was okay.

I love all ten of the girls I got to take this trip with. I still catch myself laughing at the many jokes we shared. Good times.

Out of the ten girls... I am not going to lie... I love this one the most.

This page has a mind of its own and will not space how I want it to. Sorry for the clutter.

Nothing to say

I have nothing exciting to share I am just tired of my foot being the first thing you see on my blog. So now you get to see me. I love taking pictures on my computer. This is todays. (I really only take them when I cut my hair.)

I am excited though for a great adventure. Come Sunday I will be cruising the Caribbean! Yup the travel bug got me and I am setting off with some awesome friends for and adventure. Some places you can look forwad to seeing pictures of are Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize and Isla Routan. Stay tuned.

In preparation for this adventure I have been working like crazy to get ahead in my classes. Last semester I felt I was just jumping through hoopes, this semester is turning to be some great learning and a little refresher. I am enjoying it.

Well that is what is up with me. Exciting adventures to come...I promise!