Married life so far...

Well, I know it’s been a while since my last post.  There are two reasons for that:  one, we cannot find the cords for our cameras to download honeymoon pictures and two, I don’t feel like I have much to report on a regular basis. 

I really am enjoying married life and so is my husband.  I have rediscovered my love of cooking.  I enjoy cooking because I love to eat, and I really appreciate different flavors.  Something we have always done in my family is to try and figure out which spices are in meals that we try so we can recreate them.  I’m not that good yet, but I do like trying to separate the flavors and taste each one after making my meals.  Okay, maybe I’m weird, but I really do have an appreciation for food.  My waistline is proof of that.  I can’t speak for my husband, but I have gained 15 pounds since being married!!!!  Today, I decided that needs to change.  I started working out again and have been more conscious of what and how much I have been eating over the last week.  My change in food habits has helped a little.  I lost an inch in my waist in that week.  The exercise will only help make that better. J  I love having someone to share my life with on a daily basis that is truly interested and really cares how I am doing.  I was blessed with a great husband.

The job front on the other hand has been more challenging.  Most people will say that a nurse can find a job anywhere, no problem.  That is simply not true.  The market for nurses in my city is a little more competitive than where I came from.  After speaking with other nurses in the area, it is difficult for both “old” and “new” nurses.  To be honest (and a little selfish), I have not been trying as hard as I could mostly because I want to enjoy the holidays this year with my family.  After this year, spending holidays with the family will be a luxury.  I have filled out several applications, though.  Now I’m focusing on residency programs to help get my foot in the door.  I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason according to God’s plan.

I recently had the opportunity to work as an extra on a new Tyler Perry movie called, “The Marriage Counselor.”  I was a pedestrian in a scene.  Unfortunately, if the scene makes it to the movie, you will only see the back of me.  Oh well.  It was still a lot of fun getting to watch a movie being made as well as see some stars!

My mom is coming for a visit this week and I am SO excited!!  It’s always nice to spend quality time with my mom. J  Next week, I will be visiting a couple of good friends in East Tennessee.  I’m looking forward to spending quality time with these friends and meeting one of my friend’s new baby.  After that, we will spend Thanksgiving with my husband’s family.  Christmas is a whole other story.  Lots of traveling involved in a short period of time.  I’m looking forward to it, though.  I’m thankful that I have a husband who loves to travel and doesn’t mind letting me go on my own with friends occasionally.  I recently got to enjoy my first trip to Washington, D.C. with a friend.  That was an amazing experience.

Anyway, that is all for now.  Until next time.

I'm Back!

Well, it's been a while since my last entry, and a lot has happened since then.  I graduated nursing school, got married, and went on a cruise in the Western Carribbean (AMAZING...by the way).  I am now in the process of moving my entire life to a new city, getting ready to take my boards to become a nurse, and trying to find a new job.  I'm a little stressed but just trying to soak it all in.  These are good changes in life so I will embrace them.  I have a ton of pictures to share, but I will have to do that later so stay tuned...

Holy Day

Today, I attended church with my grandparents.  We went to the church I attended as a small child to celebrate their 110th anniversary.  I was baptized in this church as an infant and remained there until I was 6 years old.  It was great reminiscing and seeing long lost familiar faces.  The sanctuary has not changed a bit.  It also still smells the same.  I can't really describe the smell except that is smells like an old church.  I LOVE it!  It brought me back to some happy times in my childhood.  Today, the church is part of St. George's Episcopal School.  Since the member numbers have dwindled over the years, this partnership allows to church to stay alive.  This church does a lot of good things for the community.  Here are a few pictures.

The outside of the sanctuary.

Inside the sanctuary.  It is so beautiful!

Needlepoint Kneelers...My mother sewed one of these over twenty years ago.  I wish I could remember which one.

Organ, pipes, and choir loft at the back of the sanctuary.

I cannot remember this man's name, but I do remember he was from Kenya.  He came over to learn more about Christ and become an ordained minister.  He was such a nice man.  I found out that once he went back to Kenya, he was murdered by rebels in his village because of his beliefs and because he was trying to spread the word throughout the village.  Such a sad story, but Heaven gained a beautiful soul.  He was very interesting to talk to.

The napkin says 1901-2011.

This is a little out of order, but this is a picture of one of the Hymnals.  Yes, it says 1982.  Their hymnals and prayer books are so old and falling apart.  These are the same books we used when I was there.

Monumental Moment

Yesterday was my last day of nursing school.  I can't describe the relief I felt when I left the hospital after my final clinical and presentation.  It was GREAT!  I cried on the way home.  I have worked so long and so hard and pretty much surrendered my life to nursing school for the last three and a half years.  This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done and my biggest accomplishment in life so far.  My family and friends keep telling me that I have my personality back and that I seem very happy. :o)

After the clinical day was over, a couple of my nursing school friends and I went out to celebrate.  We all intern at the same hospital and did our final presentation together.  It was great to celebrate with them.  However, I must say I'm not as young as I used to be...

Today I got to spend a carefree day with my mom and sister.  It was so nice not having to worry about studying or doing paperwork (even though I still have to do my final paperwork which should only take about 30 minutes). 

I pick up my pin on Monday and turn in my final paperwork.  The pinning ceremony is on Thursday.  After that, I really get to focus on my upcoming wedding that is just two weeks away.  I can't wait for all of it!  It's worse than a kid at Christmas.  I could not have made it without the encouragement of my family, friends, and fiance.  Thank you all for putting up with me duirng this adventure and cheering me on.  Thursday night is as much for you as it is for me.  Now I have to figure out what I am going to say about my nursing journey since I will be speaking about it at the pinning.  It should be easy since I apparently like to talk a lot.

Typical Sunday

My typical Sunday is working on clinical paperwork all day, and this day was no different.  I used to look forward to Sundays, but I haven't looked forward to a Sunday in about three and a half years.  Next Sunday will be the last day I have to work on clinical paperwork!

I started nursing school in January of 2008.  After graduating in 2004 with a BBA, I went from job to job just not finding the satisfaction I was looking for.  The last job I had was in recruiting, and I worked with a lot of nurses.  After speaking with some of them, I started thinking that maybe I would like to do that.  One of my good friends and I went for coffee at Starbucks one night and just started talking about life and what we wanted from it.  I told her I wanted to do more with my life and really feel like I was helping people.  She told me I should be a nurse.  I kind of laughed and said, "I can't do that!"  She said, "Yes you can, and you would be great at it."  So that really got me thinking.  A couple of weeks later I decided to apply to nursing school.  What could I really lose?  I applied...I passed the entrance exam...I had good letters of recommendation...I was in!  It has been a long and tearful journey, and many times I wanted to give up.  Nursing school really is survival of the fittest.  Only others that have been through it can truly understand how hard it really is...not just the book/study part, but the emotional part.  BUT, I'm now at the end.  I have one more clinical day and one more presentation and then I graduate!!!  I can't wait!

THEN, a week after I graduate from nursing school, I will become a Mrs.!  I am marrying a wonderful man, and I am looking so forward to spending our lives together.  He has been my rock through nursing school.  He has been such a great encouragement to me and is a true gentleman.  I am a lucky girl!  We will be going on a cruise for a week for our honeymoon, and he and I both agree we are more excited about that. :o)  And as if all of this wasn't enough, I will be moving to a new city once we return.  Our relationship has been long distance the entire time we have known each other.  We met through my soon to be sister-in-law that I used to work with.  I will finally be moving and won't just be closer but will be living with him!  I'm sure our new adventures in marriage will be interesting, fun, and even difficult at times.  I look forward to all of it because I get to share it with him.  I LOVE HIM!

Anyway, back to the grind tomorrow.  I have never looked more forward to a week than I am looking to this one.  Nursing school is done and behind me on Thursday.  I will probably cry. :o)  Bye for now.

Good idea?

A friend told me that I should start a blog.  I don't know how interesting I will be, but I am willing to give it a shot.  As much as my life is a work in progress, so is this blog.  More to come...