Still not studying...still cooking

I still haven't been able to force myself to study and why should I? I'm having too much fun making cupcakes! Who knew this would turn into a cooking blog when I was on break?

These little darlings are from the cookbook, "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World". I'm not a strict vegan or anything, it's just that when i cook I prefer to do it as animal-free as possible...plus I'm convinced it forces me to eat more veggies. Ok, I realize a cupcake is a not a veggie...sad but true.

Black Bean, Mushroom and Quinoa-stuffed Peppers

I cooked again! These are some yummy peppers I made (again from the VwaV cookbook). These little lovelies chime in at just under 300 calories each and are very satisfying! They get a tomato sauce before baking, but I took the picture prior to that because I thought they were so pretty! Ok, you may disagree...but it's my camera, I swear! They are YUM!!!

In other news, still haven't been able to force myself to study, but I did print out some study materials that were emailed to us a few weeks ago AND I got my fingerprinting done yesterday AND my 3rd HepB today. So, I'm doing stuff...just not studying!

Bon Appetit!

Black Bean, Mushroom and Quinoa-stuffed Peppers

I thought I was going to make a breakfast dish next, but then realized that would be about a week since it will take me that long to finish the batch of scrambled tofu I made.

So, for lunch today I made these yummy bell peppers from Vegan with a Vengeance! This is a picture of the peppers before I put the tomato sauce on top...they're so pretty!



The nutrition info is pretty, too! 294 calories per pepper, 11.4 g of Protein, NO cholesterol and a ton of Vitamin A and Vitamin C (62% and 232%).

I haven't tasted them yet, but I did sneak a bite of the filling before I put them in the oven, and I think we may have a home-run here!

Ahhhh....the delicious taste of summer.

Now that summer vacation is here in full force, I pretty much have time to do all the things I enjoy doing with none of that pesky studying getting in the way. One of my new projects is to cook my way through the Vegan with a Vengeance cookbook, so I started today with recipe #1, Tofu Scramble. It is super yummy, extremely healthy and pretty darn easy to make. It takes a while to make (mainly with all the chopping and cooking of the veggies), but if I make one whole batch I can eat on it all week long since my husband won't touch the stuff with a 10-foot pole...I guess cholesterol, saturated fat and factory farming are more appealing than healthy, cruelty-free food? Who knows...

So, keeping in mind that I'm not really a photographer, here is the scramble!



Next up is an Asparagus and Sun-dried Tomato Frittata!

Vegan Cooking Club

In the interest of celebrating health and vitality as I come to the tail-end of my 30s, I am starting a Vegan Cooking Club with a few friends (only few because I suspect some of the people I invited are teaming up and thinking of ways to avoid joining the club). Doesn't that sound totally fun?

Anyway, along those lines, I decided it would be a fun idea to cook my way through the Vegan with a Vengeance cookbook, otherwise I tend to prepare the same five recipes (kind of like when I go to Napa I go to the same ol' wineries every time...just call me Rut Girl). Anyway, I started this morning with recipe #1, Scrambled Tofu. It makes about 11 half-cup servings at 67 calories a serving...so even if you nosh out and go for a whole cup it's still a low-cal and high-protein, healthy-carb breakfast! Oh, did I mention the "no cholesterol" thing?

So, please bear in mind that I am not a professional photographer, but here is a picture of the completed scramble:


Next up: Asparagus and Sun-dried Tomato Frittata!!!!

Get yourself an Uncalendar!

For those of you who are trying to figure out how to organize yourselves for next semester...I present...the Uncalendar (http://uncalendar.com/). This awesome calendar may not be all cutesy like the time.mine calendars or the Franklin Covey planners or any of that stuff, but is is FUNCTIONAL and awesome and frankly...what else do you need? By the way, I use the Lifestyle Fullsize version which I recommend...there are so many tasks and due dates that I just don't think you can fit everything into one of those smaller planners unless you have really small handwriting and very keen eyesight.

The fantabulous thing about this calendar is that it's totally personalizable (is that even a word), and it has lots of space for lots of stuff! For instance, I would use one of the boxes to list "school to-do" items such as: buy scantrons, fill out the blue packet (whatever that was), print N-12 study questions...etc. Another box was a list of the gazillion quizzes we had to take (13 in one week). Another box was related to things to pack in my clinical bag and yet another was related to stuff I needed to do at home like pay bills and buy groceries. I could also plan out my week on the weekly calendar, which really helps me to determine how in the world I can get everything done. Making a list doesn't help me if the items on my list take 29 hours and there are only 24 hours in a day...filling out the weekly calendar helps me see that.

It also has a monthly calendar so you can look at The Big Picture, but I mainly used the weekly...let's be honest...in Nursing School you are rarely ever looking any farther forward than a few days, much less a whole month! But it's nice to see what big ticket items are coming up so you can incorporate study time.

Ok, that's my pitch for the best planner ever! And here is a picture of the inside weekly pages in case you are too busy to go to the website (if you click on it, it gets bigger so you can see the detail). There is also something called the Pro version, but that might be more for people with jobs? :-)

Summer is here...I survived!!!!

Ok, I am the world's worst blogger...I suck at keeping up with this thing, but school sucked the life out of me and I'm just now getting back to feeling like a normal human being.

Whew!

Ok, so I left off with something called "Hell Week", which I don't even remember. Ha! I must have blocked it out of my memory! Since then we've had finals and all that bizz-ness, so here is where things stand: I got all A's...yippee skippee...I am mainly proud of this because my school doles out A-, so to that part of me that thought this wasn't possible...In Your Face!

So what are my first impressions of the first semester? For starters, it was insane and took over my life but I survived. Here's a quick rundown of the classes and how they went:

-Med/Surg 1...an intense class but not nearly as wackadoo as my A&P classes were. I think this is because I studied my tail off for A&P, so applying what I learned to the nursing implications wasn't too too bad. Of course, I was totally sweating it after I took the final, but in my defense, those NCLEX style questions are wacky! I actually screamed and jumped up and down when I saw that I got an A in the class. The final was worth so many points that failing was always a possibility (failing is below a 73%). Ouch.

-Intro to Professional Nursing...a theory class that was made far more difficult than it needed to be. 'Nuff said.

-Intro to Clinical Practice...this was a skills lab that was also made more difficult than it needed to be. The check-offs were fine and very straight-forward, but the darn tests and quizzes were tricksy! The nice thing about this class was that it was frontloaded and ended early. So even though we were hating life in the beginning, we were loving it toward the end of the semester.

-Physical Assessment of the Adult...by far the most straight-forward class of them all. Loved it!

-Therapeutic Communication...a complete waste of time.

Overall, I think I learned some organizational things that will help me conquer next semester and hope hope hope that I can have somewhat of a life (translation, "I hope that I don't sit around on my duff and get fatter"), but who knows..I've heard 2nd semester is almost as bad as the first. Here's what's in store for me:

Mondays: Med/Surg 2 (Nursing Families in Complex Illness). The nice thing about this class is that it's streamed online so if I don't feel like getting dressed, I don't have to! But, knowing me...I'll go to class anyway...I'm anal that way (at least for this class). This is also the day I will go to the hospital to select my patients for clinical. And we all know how much fun that is.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Clinical...yay! I actually like clinical and would like it more if it didn't entail a ton of homework. Ugh! Our semester is organized with us going to the hospital for Med/Surg clinical for 3 weeks, then mental health for 3 weeks, then M/S then MH. The nice thing about mental health is...no patient prep!!!!! I start off my M/S clinical in cardiology (I think so at least) and then go to mental health for 3 weeks. Then it's back to M/S with the MICU and PACU and something else in between. I have to be honest, I'm not stoked about the PACU. Can someone please tell me how exciting and fascinating it is so I don't totally dread it?

Thursdays: Gerontology. Plus, I have to meet with a mentally ill child for an hour. Yes, a whole hour. I have a hard enough time relating to healthy children...and I really don't feel as though I'm qualified to talk to anyone about anything at this point, so this should be a real scream. Kinda not looking forward to it.

Fridays: Mental Health lecture. Also streamed online. Do you think I'll be dragging my fanny to class or sitting here at home with a cuppa joe and a cat on my lap? Bingo!!!

Online class: Nursing research. I hear it's a bear, but I tend to like boring things like research so I'm hoping my interest in the subject will make it bearable.

Ok, so that's what's coming up. Until then I am enjoying summer break and trying to earn a few dollars. This whole not-working thing is really a strain! At some point I am going to have to start prepping for next semester, but I just don't hate myself enough to do it just yet. I might wait until July and then get back to it...there are a few things I would like to review prior to M/S part deux, namely the whole fluid/electrolyte thing, plus cardiac physiology and the endocrine system. I know people are starting to read ahead for next semester but I kinda feel like a review of the physiology will help me a lot so that I can understand the patho. Am I just cookoo or does this make sense?

As for other fun things going on this summer...I am riding my bike a lot and cooking! I have been making all sorts of yummy things including vegan Buffalo Wings and vegan Cornmeal Blueberry Muffins (yes I am into the animal-free thing, but am not strict enough to call myself a full-fledged vegan). Next week is my birthday (and I have to say, I don't feel as old as I am), and some friends and I are going out to a vegan raw restaurant...so stay tuned for that! Speaking of food, is anyone else addicted to food blogs? For some reason I love reading about people's recipes, the food they've cooked and whatnot. I would make a food blog if others weren't doing a better job of it already. Maybe I will...maybe that would motivate me to get creative in the kitchen...what do you think? Am I just a nerdy computer dork?

I will try to think of something interesting to write as I delve into the prep for next semester....I do have some great organization tips that I'll post eventually for future Nursing School victims! My next big project is to work on the garden (who wants to see pics of that? Raise your hands!) and work on my Bestseller! I call it a bestseller because I read "The Secret" and it says you have to believe it in order to make it happen!!! So, instead of calling it my book or my novel or my mystery story, it's my bestseller...and you all can say you knew me when...

:-)

A busy busy week

Ok, I am midway through Crazy Week, and to be honest it's not that bad. I had clinical on Tuesday, but since I earned "minimal prep" for essentially being a fantastic student on all my other preps, then it wasn't too crazy. I still have to write a DAR note related to something I did on Tuesday and calculate how many pain meds I gave, but that's it!

On Wednesday we had our final check-off for our assessment class. They set it up like Jeopardy, with questions of varying difficulty worth different points. The goal was to get 200 points, which I did in 5 rounds I think...I screwed up one question regarding how to assess for a physiological split of S-2, but I can now say I'll never forget that little gem!

Tomorrow I am turning in a scholarship application, meeting with my study buddy to do case-studies for the Med/Surg final and then going to the hospital to pick out my final two patients. Then it's clinical on Saturday from 0620-1500, and again on Sunday from 0630-1200. Then it's home to almond champagne and a soak in the foot spa. Can't wait.

Gotta run...but remind me to write my general impressions of clinical. I think I have a serious problem in that I tend to fall in love with all my patients and I feel like crying when I think about how sick they are. I guess I'm just an old softy after all. Sigh.

Me and Susan Boyle have so much in common....

...mainly that we have FOLLOWERS! I just noticed I now have 6 followers and it's making me feel all tingly inside. Ok, that's nothing compared to the millions of hits the Susan Boyle youtube videos have garnered, but still...Rome wasn't built in a day!

On the off-chance that my fans (ok, followers) are pre-nursing students, I thought you might find this helpful...I made a website to help other students along their journey (http://web.mac.com/maureenosuna/iWeb/School/Home.html)...it's chock-full of mainly my anal A&P notes, but I hope to add more goods as time goes on. Oh there's a highly entertaining blog of me doing audio notes for some of my classes...great for those nights when you can't fall asleep!

This coming week is the Clinical Week from Hell...which I will now call Hell Week. I've got clinical on Tuesday (1 patient) and then back-to-back Saturday and Sunday with 2 patients. I also have a comprehensive physical assessment check-off on Wednesday and a group presentation Monday morning.

Wish me luck! I'll repot back Sunday night as I enjoy a glass of wine and soak my feet!

One class down, five to go...

My skills lab class ended early (it was front-loaded, which is a fancy word for hellish the first few weeks), and I ended up with an A...not an A- as I feared, but an actual, honest-to-goodness real A. Yippeeeee!

So, I only have FIVE more classes to finish off, and they entail 5 final exams, an ATI exam, 3 group presentations, 3 clinical days, 1 surgery day and a handful of quizzes. The countdown is ON!

With summer peaking its head around the corner, I am putting together my plan for those long months. Knowing me, I'll love the freedom for about 2 weeks and then boredom will set in. Not enough boredom to warrent me taking a class (I can't bear the thought of it), but enough to cause restlessness just the same. My plan so far is to:
- try to get some freelance writing work
- help my husband with his business
- get caught up on the bank statements (not a small task considering how many accounts we have and how far behind I am)
- study for the Sac State government exam so I can test out of that class
- meet with a study group once a week to review things we'll need to know for next semester
- go on some backpacking trips (this will necessitate me getting a backpack for my birthday!)
- go on day hikes up in the Desolation Wilderness
- ride my bike
- walk (this is part of my new plan to be more active)
- go to yoga class with my earnings from my freelance work
- work on my bestseller!
- lay around in the grass with a good book
- go to the beach in San Francisco at least 3 times
- cook!

Ok, that should keep me busy!

Wow, it's already a month later...

...and I have realized I am a terribly inconsistent blogger. Most days I just can't force myself to look at the computer for another minute so that's pretty much why I haven't been updating my blog. On top of that, I'm just so darn tired all the time that it's hard to fathom putting a sentence together. I guess I feel some pressure to be just as awesome at this as some of the other nursing school blogs I've read (namely the brainscramble.org blog...it's fantastic), plus since I've been a writer for so long I feel pressure to write them well. Lucky for you I have a new philosphy that has been born out of necessity...in nursing school you just can't be as anal and obsessive as you'd like to be. I just don't have time. Now when I have a project to do my main goal is to just get it done, and I save the anal/obsessiveness for things like care plans and clinical, where it really matters. Everything else gets about an A- effort and that's fine with me. We're in survival mode here folks.

So, in light of my new attitude, I will post more often, but don't expect it to be super thought-provoking or anything...it will be more of an update with deep thoughts sprinkled prn.

So, without further ado, here is an update from the past few weeks:
-I can no longer spell. If my brain weren't completely frazzled I'd suspect a neurological disorder. Seriously.
-I now have to consciously NOT report the time using the 24-hour clock since my regular friends don't know what the hell 1430 is.
-I find that I am giving report on my cat. When my husband gets home from work I give him a quick rundown of how the cats are doing. Seriously. Today it was that my older cat is being especially needy. Good golly.
-I gave my first injection (insulin, sub q) in clinical last week. I thought I'd be freaking out, but it was so not a big deal. The main issue for me is making sure I am safe, so I was more freaked out about drawing up the right number of units than I was about piercing someone's skin.
-I did an Accucheck without gloves...so this wins bonehead move of the week. Actually, my CI caught it before I came into contact with any blood, but WOW, what a dumb thing to do.
-I saw my first hospital penis. Again, not as weird as I thought it was going to be.
-I get excited about goofy tasks like drawing urine for a U/A...if I get to dc a Foley or NG I am going to be stoked. I'd love to insert either, but those opportunities are few and far between...I guess a girl can dream though.
-I passed all my skills checkoffs on the first try, and that class is OVER so all I have to do for it is take a final this Wednesday. We are all freaked out about it...it's worth like 40% of our grade and it's tricky and full of tiny details...grr.....
-I went to my first CNSA meeting last night and one of my classmates nominated me for something (Class Representative, I think...I have no idea what it entails, but if no one else is nominated I guess it's my slot by default...hmmm...do I really have time for this?)
-My CI wrote on one of my clinical preps that I am an "amazing student". Direct quote! This was, of course, prior to the glove-less Accucheck incident.
-I'm still exhausted, but not quite as shell-shocked. Looking forward to having some more time to study now that Skills Lab is over.
-The rest of the semester mainly involves finals and two big group presentations. Oh, and the ATI. So, I guess I'm still super busy but maybe I'm getting used to it? Just in time for summer break!

Voila...you are pretty much caught up!

-

The Results are In!

Warning....own horn tooting about to occur. I got an A on my first Med/Surg exam! Yippee dippee skippee. Of all the questions I missed, only one was due to a true lack of knowledge...the others involved me going back and forth between the two "right" answers and picking the "not quite as right" answer. DAMN! Though, I am embarrassed to say that I had a patient with a systolic BP of 244 use the incentive spirometer in the PACU. What was I thinking? Hydralazine, THEN incentive spirometer...doh! I just kept talking myself out of it thinking the BP was due to a pain of 8/10, but now I know that a BP of 244 is really really really high. This is why we practice on Sim Man and answer hypothetical questions constantly. But still...this is embarrassing and I'm almost too shamed to face my instructor. I shall redeem myself!

Two big tests coming up this week. Skills exam and theory. As a class I would say we are all in agreement that our theory class is a waste of time and effort. Maybe someday I'll appreciate learning about Barton, Nutting and all the rest, but right now I just want to get my hands on some sick people! Our skills exam covers a gazillion topics ranging from ambulation and transfers to PO administration (with catheters and poop in there somewhere). I feel pretty confidet that I am grasping the "big picture" with all this stuff, but where I get stuck is with the details...how often to do things, what sizes of whatever to use, when to expect outcome A vs. outcome B. Ugh!

Wish me luck! I'll report back as soon as I get my grade...maybe as early as Monday night! Theory exam is Thursday and I am sooo not looking forward to it. The instructor thinks she's writing "critical thinking" questions, but so far they're just worded very ambiguously...that's not critical thinking...it's critical mind-reading. Kinda frustrating. Stay tuned.

Here's a pic for your viewing pleasure...nothing fancy b/c who has time for pics?

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Post-Clinical Briefing

So here it is, albeit a bit late, my recollections on clinical. So far I've been to the hospital about three times...twice for oreintationy type things, and once working with an actual, real live patient! I would have to say my biggest stressor about clinical isn't working with the patients or not knowing what the heck I'm doing, or having to transport a body to the morgue or any of that...it's the other nurses. Believe it or not, not everyone is tickled pink to see a gaggle of nursing students come on to the floor, and I worry a lot about inadvertently pissing someone off or being annoying, pestering or bothersome. But then again, I'm there to learn so I have to be somewhat annoying if I'm going to get my hands on any of the cool skills like catheters and enemas (ok, maybe "cool" was not the right word to use here). But you know what I mean.

The trouble with being a first semester student (well, a first MONTH student) is that we can't do much yet. We're basically operating at the level of a CNA and since our floor already has CNA's, our being there doesn't relieve the RN of any of his/her duties and we are basically taking up their time and space. But, the good news is, I should be getting checked off on PO med pass week after this one, so at that point I'll be functioning pretty much at the LVN level as far as the skills I am capable of doing and I'll be a MUCH bigger help to the RNs on the floor. I'm expecting they'll warm up to us a bit when we can handle their med passes, and accu-checks and vitals and head-to-toes and dressing changes...you get the idea.

So, for this coming week I have home health on my clinical day. I heard from the girl who went last week that it was pretty boring with a lot of time sitting around while the RN does documentation. So, I hope I can study for my theory exam while I'm sitting around. Then, the following week I'm back at the hospital and will hopefully get checked off for the PO pass.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about...all the "major skills" we learn have a "check-off"...both in the lab (using a dummy) and then once again in the hospital on a real, live patient. So, I aced my PO check off (PO=by mouth as in oral medications) in the lab, but my clinical instructor has to observe me doing it "for real" before I'll be let loose to medicate my way around the unit. She also has to observe me doing my first Accu-Check (blood glucose test) before I'll be let loose to finger stick all the diabetics...my plan is to get that going week after next as well...just think how happy the RNs will be when I offer to do all their Accu-Checks in the morning. I am determined to be useful and helpful! I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, and I saw a pretty darn big wound...my first! And no, I didn't faint, feel nauseous or wish I were at Nordstrom trying on shoes...it was way cooler than trying on shoes!

I'm a bad blogger

I just realized today that I've been terribly remiss in keeping the blogosphere (ok, all three of you) updated on my nursing school experience. The word for the day, ladies and gentlemen, is BUSY! Just when I think I'm caught up I'll take a look at my schedule and immediately feel like throwing up. Today was one of those days.

We are taking our first midterm in Med/Surg in two weeks and have to do write-ups on three case studies. I am currently working on one about cholecystitis, and it's already 6 pages long and I'm nowhere near finished. I am, however, learning a lot and it's totally interesting! The other two cases are about a guy with bladder cancer who has too many other problems to count and a pt with compression fractures of the spine. All of our test questions will utilize material regarding these three cases...so kinda cool.

On to other news...clinicals start tomorrow!!! Well, it's sort of a "clinical-light", because it's orientation to the hospital and includes a scavenger hunt on my unit. I am already freaked out about being late, but I suppose the usual 4 alarms I set will just have to do. As it stands now, I use a wake up call (www.wakeupcalls.net), radio alarm clock, cell phone and iPod. Yes...every day. I'm anal like that. Or is it OCD? Anyway...

I get to wear my snappy school uniform tomorrow, and look all nursey. Hopefully no one stops me in the hall and asks me anything because I will be completely clueless!

As for the school experience itself...so far I really like all my professors, though I have to say I endured The World's Most Boring Lecture last week...it was seriously torture. It was on the history of nursing and critical thinking...for hours. So far everyone seems really nice, though I'd be lying if I didn't say there are a few people that I'd prefer not to be stuck in an elevator with. But, I'm really trying not to be snippy, so I'll just leave it at that.

Here's hoping the nurses are nice to use tomorrow! That's one of my biggest worries...that the nurses will hate us and resent our presence on their unit. I will be as nice, helpful and professional as I know how to be...I guess that's all I really can do, huh?

Stay tuned for the post-clinical debriefing!

Exhausted

I'm so completely tired...so so completely tired and clinicals haven't even started yet! Instead, we've been learning extra skills on those days in a fun process called "Frontloading" that makes the first two weeks of the semester a wee bit on the crazy side. I am, however, managing to stay on top of things...and boy are there a lot of things.

By the time I close out my first two weeks of school this coming Saturday, I will have a taken 17 or so quizzes (seriously), taken two exams that are 90% or better to pass and learned the following skills:
TPR (temperature, pulse, respirations)
Blood pressure & apical pulse
Bed baths
Oral care
Ambulation and transfers
Use of restraints
TEDs/SCUDS
Range of Motion
Accucheck (for blood glucose)
Oxygenation
Positioning
Urine elimination (Foley removal, specimen collection, condom catheters)
Bowel elimination (enemas, specimen collection, bed pans)
Ostomy care
Documentation
Infection control procedures

On top of all this, I have 4 other classes which are Med/Surg (the biggie), Professional Nursing (a theory class), Therapeutic Communication, and Pharmacology. Just writing this out makes me feel sick.

So, if you haven't heard from me (and you probably haven't!) then this is why I've been too busy, exhausted, distracted. Once frontloading is over (this Saturday...yay!) then things should mellow a tiny bit...but then clinicals start, so who knows.

Wish me luck. On Saturday I have to pass a math test and a medical abbreviations test with at least a 90%. So far, none of the work has been especially difficult...just a LOT of it. I'm sure that actually applying everything I've learned is going to be the hardest part. Oh...and the Med/Surg exams. Can't wait for those! ;-)

The Plan (at least for now)

As I sit here less than a week before the most intense experience of my life begins, I can't help but feel a wee bit anxious about how this is going to all play out. I am in class or clinical physically 26 hours a week, I'm teaching yoga about 6 hours a week and doing all the other stuff that one must do to stay alive and well (eating, sleeping, showering). I also have a husband I would like to spend some time with once in a while, plus friends that I miss terribly when school is in session.

Usually when I feel this way, I make a list or some kind of plan and I usually feel instantly better. So, if you want to take a little peak into my world, here's how it's going to pan out (in theory):

Mondays
8:00-11:00 Med/Surg lecture
11:00-12:45 Teach yoga
1:00-2:00 Go to hospital and select patient for the next day's clinical
2:00- 9:00 Prep for clinical/study
9:00-11:00 Bedtime routine

Tuesdays
6:30-3:00 Clinical (times vary, but this is the general range)
3:30-5:00 Teach yoga
5:00-9:00 Study
9:00-11:00 Bedtime routine

Wednesdays
8:00-11:00 Assessment lab
12:00-4:30 Skills lab
5:00-9:00 Study
9:00-11:00 Bedtime routine

Thursdays
9:00-12:00 Nursing theory/history class
12:00-1:00 Lunch on campus
1:00-4:00 Communication class
4:00-6:00 Pharmacology
6:00-9:00 Study
9:00-11:00 Bedtime routine

Fridays
7:30-9:00 Teach yoga
9:00-12:00 Date with husband (run in the park, then breakfast and lounging around)
12:00-7:00 Study
7:00-10:00 HAVE FUN (someone please call me to hang out!)

Saturdays
9:00-10:00 Run in the park
10:00-5:00 Study
5:00-10:00 HAVE FUN

Sundays
9:00-10:00 Run in the park
10:00-9:00 Study
9:00-10:00 ME TIME (time to do things like pluck eyebrows, paint toenails, do a facial, etc...)

So, as you can see...that is one hairy scary schedule. At best, hubby and I will have one date per week, and will only be sleeping in the same bed at the same time on Tuesdays and Thursday nights. Speaking of bed, I have vivid memories of having horrible sleep patterns during A&P...I would dream about bones and all kinds of things...wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the sphenoid. Not fun.

So, I am going to really try to stick to a Bedtime Routine in hopes it will alleviate my stress so I can have some good z's. The general plan is to do a Callanetics video or some mellow yoga from 9:00 to 9:40-ish, followed by a soak in the tub and then a half hour of pleasure reading in bed. My goal is to be LIGHTS OUT at 11:00 every night. And, thanks to this amazing meditation application on my iPod, I am zonking out faster than I ever have in my life. It's called "Meditate Now"...check it out if you have trouble falling asleep!

OK, so that's my Plan for dealing with the crazy schedule while trying to squeeze in a little bit of "normalcy" here and there. It only has me studying 43 hours a week, which technically isn't enough but we'll see how it goes and adjust from there. The rule of thumb is to study 2-3 hours for every hour you're in class, but that would have me studying 52 hours a week at the minimum and I'm not sure I can get by with that little of sleep.

Stay tuned...I'll let you know how it pans out!

Orientation Recap

Today was day one of a 2-day orientation. We met at the school at 8:30 and filled out some forms, got a pep-talk from the Department Chair, and met the staff & faculty. Each of the professors gave a little talk about her class and we'll likely have a more detailed orientation on the first day of classes. We went through the main points in the student handbook and heard about ten times to be sure to wear panties with our scrub pants (seriously...who would think this would be an issue?)

After the main info thing, we took a class picture and then went to a pizza-lunch fundraiser for the CNSA. Thank goodness I'd already met a few people from class, because there's nothing worse than eating lunch in a room full of people you don't know. Anyway, after that we broke out into groups to go over stuff like PDAs, Q&A, equipment and such. All in all, it was pretty cool, but by the end I was pretty ready to get out of there and get home.

They also spent a fair amount of time scaring the bejeezus out of us regarding the first two weeks or so of class. One of our big courses (Intro to Clinical Nursing) is front-loaded so we have skills to take into the hospital. To be honest, all the classes sound remarkably similar to one another so it's hard to keep them straight...which sucks because I've color coded everything, and now I'm wondering if I've got it all mucked up and don't even know it.

So....first impressions. I thought the professors were all very nice, and the school itself seems to have an attitude that they want us to succeed. I've heard enough horror stories about schools that just try to weed out students, so this is a bit of a relief. Stay tuned!

Apparently 3 weeks is all the break I can handle.

I'm bored.

I've been on break for three weeks to the day and I am bored. I've cleaned and cleaned until my cleaner is sore. I've stocked up, organized and bought all my school supplies. I've caught up on the laundry, slept in and spent time with family and friends. But now I'm bored. Classes start in 2.5 weeks and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with myself! So far, this is what I've come up with:

-Spend more time with friends
-Cook and freeze some more meals
-Touch up the paint in the kitchen
-Give the house one more good scrub
-Get into a rhythm with the whole exercise thing
-Review A&P...especially the tricksy stuff like the endocrine system, fluid and electrolytes, and the whole MAP feedback loop.
-Study...yes, our professor for Med/Surg has already sent us material for a quiz on the 7th. How thoughtful of her!!!

So, my goal for the next 2.5 weeks is to ENJOY the time off and not spend all my time in anticipation mode so much that I miss this much-needed and well-deserved break!

Got my schedule...finally!

After a very tense registration this morning, I finally have my schedule for next semester. Luckily I got my first choice clinical group, but the bad news is none of my FB nursing school friends are in the same group...or anyone I know, actually. At least not yet. I've organized a little "meet and greet" for this Saturday, so I'm hoping that lots of people come! What's that saying...you can take the girl out of the party planning, but you can't take the party planning out of the girl. Ha.

Anyway...here is my schedule for next semester. It's a wee bit terrifying, especially considering I'm getting credit for 14 hours, but am actually in class 27 hours a week. Nice.

Mondays: Class from 8-11 (Med/Surg), then I suspect I'll be heading over to the hospital to select my patient for the following day's clinical. The rest of Monday will be spent getting ready for my clinical day, which is Tuesday.

Tuesdays: Clinical starts at 6:30 am and runs 'till 2:30-ish. The good news is, it's only about 15 minutes away, so I can leave at 5:50 and be there in plenty of time to have a nervous breakdown in the parking lot.

Wednesdays: Class from 8-4:30 (Physical Assessment and Intro to Clinical Nursing), with a one hour break in between for lunch.

Thursdays: Class from 9-6 (Fundamentals, Therapeutic Comm and Pharmacology), with a one hour break at lunch.

Fridays: NO CLASS! Wheeeeeee! Study all day long! Yahooooo!

With my pumpkin working four nights a week and spending one 24-hour shift as an intern at the fire department (as well as taking two evening classes), we are going to have precious little time together. I am thinking of making Thurdsday nights our "date night", as well as Sunday mornings after he gets home from work. I am hoping to reserve Friday or Saturday night for friends and Sunday night (an hour or two at least) for ME! I will also be teaching yoga 2-3 times per week...need to get that schedule figured out. We'll see how it goes...I really want to have some balance in my life. Is it possible???? From where I'm standing right now it looks rather ambitious, to be totally honest.

Closing out the pre-reqs in style!

I got my final grades today...I got all A's!!!!! Woo-hoo! I was a bit concerned about Statistics, but apparently that last test didn't trip me up as much as I thought it did. (jumping up, clicking heels together).

So, with that behind me I only have one more errand to run for my pre-entry requirements, which is to get my TB test read tomorrow afternoon. Then I can package up the whole lot of it and drop it off at the school and finally RELAX!!!! Ok, maybe not totally relax since I'm reviewing A&P and need to start doing some math review...but you know what I mean.

As for the authorized shopping...I have been giving the student loan a workout. I got an iPod Touch, a cool watch that pins to your shirt (so you don't harbor germs and other ick on a watch band), a wrist-watch for labs since I'm not going to wear the hospital watch anywhere but the hospital (refer back to the ick factor), lots of reference books and some sweet apps for my iPod. My favorite is the gFlash app...you can make spreadhseet flashcards using Google docs and then upload them to your phone. No more cumbersome stacks of index cards...yay!

My sister-in-law is planning a celebration dinner on Jan 15th, so I may get more treats then...maybe even the compression hose on my Amazon wish list. Did that just make me sound old? Yes, I'm afraid it did.

Orientation is in three short weeks and then I'm going to try to go see an old friend that weekend prior to school starting. Tricky timing, but she lives on the East coast and she'll be a mere 2 hours from me and I haven't seen her in years and years and years.

So...there you go. Consider yourself caught up. The real fun begins in a week or two when I go buy SCHOOL SUPPLIES! Is it just me, or does the thought of new binders just make everyone giddy?

My new goal for this winter break....SLEEP!

Yesterday when I got home from taking the "mind-f&%#@" that was my Statistics final, I had a nice little surprise waiting for me in my inbox...the nursing school orientation website! After getting a peak at the class schedule, I now know that those cozy mornings in bed are soon to be replaced by the incessant bleep of my alarm clock at hours that no good and decent person should be roused. I am mainly thinking of the clinical day...which as any nursing student call tell you starts god-awful early.

My options for clinical are: the awesome level 1 Trauma Center by my house, the also awesome yet very old hospital somewhat near my house and the shiny, new hospital that is 40 minutes away. If I am placed in the latter clinical group (it's first come, first served) then I'll be leaving my house at about 5:15 in the morning. I was debating today about growing out my hair...I think this cinches it. Off with the hair...who wants to primp when they crawl out of bed at 4 in the morning. OMG, I can't believe I just said that...I need to start getting to bed earlier. Whatever clinical group I get...I hope it's one scheduled after our "day off"...I've heard that the whole pre-clinical routine is pretty intense...anyone wanna second that?

So...aside from getting lots of sleep this winter break, I also get to do all kinds of fun errands for pre-entry, including immunization titers, drug/alcohol screen, order uniform (a dark green polo...I look horrible in dark green), buy white scrub pants (white?????), get a few other supplies, and take care of a few other sundry tasks. What I am most excited about is the authorized SHOPPING! I am really hoping for an iPod Touch, but need to figure out what software I need and if it's supported by Apple. I know many people swear by them, but just as many people say they're not necessary...I'm pretty gadget-y, so I'm leaning toward getting it...anyone want to chime in? I am also happy that we have a lab-coat as part of our uniform...it will cover the wide, white expanse that is my tush. White scrub pants? Honestly?

Peace!

How I got here and what happens next...

So it's been about a week since I found out about my acceptance into nursing school. I was pretty much in shock for a few days...it's hard to believe that something I've worked so hard for is actually going to happen. And this is coming from someone who is famous for starting projects and not so famous for finishing them. The fact that I've jumped through all these hoops so far is actually kind of amazing. I'm sure the hoop-jumping is about to get severe, but it's so hard to say. I've heard all kinds of stuff about nursing school...how it's impossible to get an A, how someone else got a 4.0, how mean the teachers are, how supportive and inspiring the teachers are, how difficult it is, how fascinating it is...so I really don't know what to expect beyond the following: not sleeping, studying constantly and crying on a pretty regular basis.

So how did I get here? Here's just a little recap of the classes I had to take as pre-requisites:
-General Chemistry (the first class I took after a 16 year hiatus!)
-Organic/Bio Chemistry (lots of drawing of molecules...bring your eraser!)
-Nutrition (super easy and actually pretty interesting)
-General Psychology (took this in College the Prequel...don't even remember it)
-Human Development (took this in College the Prequel...really interesting...easy)
-Public Speaking (took in 1988...aced it)
-English Composition (I took this as an 8-week class online...highly recommended over the traditional course)
-A critical thinking course (I wrote critically about Greek mythology all semester)
-Intermediate Algebra (like callesthenics for your brain)
-Statistics (if you like puzzles, you'll love Stats)
-Microbiology (made me totally paranoid that I had every disease I learned about)
-Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 (fascinating and a ton, I mean a TON, of material)
-Cultural Anthropology (easy & interesting...double bonus!)

So what's next? Though I don't have my schedule yet, I do know which classes I'll be taking. I should find out the schedule in a week or so...I am not even 100% sure what is exactly going to happen in these classes...can anyone help me out?
-Pharmacology (drugs...and it's televised so I don't have to show up anywhere...can learn in jammies!)
-Introduction to Professional Nursing (Is this the fundamentals course everyone talks about being so difficult?)
-Nursing Care of Adults (Med-Surg I?)
-Introduction to Clinical Nursing Practice (bring out the Littmann!)
-Physical Assessment of the Adult (palpating? head to toes?)
-Therapeutic Interpersonal and Group Communication (how do you feel about that?)

So for this first semester I'll have 14 units...wheeeeeeeee!

It's official! Not PRE-nursing anymore!!!

Yesterday at approximately 5:40pm, I received The Email! My acceptance into Sac State's clinical nursing program!!!! I bought this uber-cool T-shirt the day I dropped off my application and finally got to wear it today! I know, that makes me a complete dork, but dorkiness is what has propelled me this far so I'm just going to go with it.

The program had 323 applicants for I think 60 spots...either 60 or 40, but I'm pretty sure it's 60. Unlike the lottery programs, this one was based on merit so I really feel like I have accomplished something pretty monumental here. And you would agree if you could see my transcript from College Episode 1...not pretty. Now that I'm focusing on a subject that actually fascinates me, I've soared through with straight As and loved (almost) every minute of it. I guess age does has some benefits after all.

Anyway, school starts the end of January and I have an orientation the week before. Luckily, they are supplying us with an orientation website in a week or so so we can get started on all the stuff we need to do (and get...yay...authorized shopping!) in the meantime. So...once I know some scoop from that end I will update you with all the wonderful minutiae that a nursing student must endure. Stay tuned!

Two more days!

Last Wednesday the admissions person at Sac State sent an email to all the applicants letting us know that they would be emailing admissions decisions after 5:30 on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd. Of course, I didn't get the email which caused for a very tense Thanksgiving holiday, but I'm hoping it was just due to a glitch in my email address and not some subliminal message on their part. I have since updated my email address with the school and am now just waiting. I am beyond nervous, to say the least!

I've been technically waiting since October 15th, but it's these last few days that are driving me crazy, and I'm trying to get myself prepared for all possibilities. I haven't even really delved too deeply into the "if I get in" scenario beyond knowing that it will be intense. I guess I don't want to be too let down if things don't go according to plan. Actually, I haven't thought too much about the "don't get in" plan either...guess I don't want to jinx it. I guess my Plan B would be to apply for next semester, volunteer in the meantime and take my other corequisites (pharmacology, government and U.S. history) while trying to earn a bit of money and also work on my bestseller. Soooo...I guess that's Plan B. What's Plan A? Jump around the house like a lunatic, jump around some more, cry, open champagne, call everyone, update this blog and jump around some more. The bummer is that my honey won't be home...I'm going to be all alone :-(.

Think positive thoughts (if anyone's out there!)

And, on another note...my cat Oliver has decided that he is my Christmas present...

No news is still news.

Since I do have officially two followers (and I know my friends are eagerly checking for updates...right????) I thought I'd pop in to let ya'll know I don't really have any news...yes, the news today is that I have no news. Wow..that's really lame. Anyway, I am still waiting to hear from Sac State and three ADN programs. I was hoping Sac State would notify me mid-month, but now it seems like all the info on tier website says it will be late November. It is making me crazy!!!!! I must have checked me email five times today while I was at school. How, exactly, do you spell "obsessed?"

And, the really icky thing is that my back-up plan (the Accelerated Second Bachelor's program) requires me to take the GRE prior to Dec. 1st and the latest date I could snag was November 26th..which means I may have to take it even if I don't know if I need to yet. Can you say blech? I mean, have you seen some of those vocabulary words? What the heck does encomium or recidivism mean? I guess I need to find out. Oh brother.

As for my current classes, I killed, and I mean KILLED, my last chemistry exam. Anthropology is fine...a piece of cake...and I currently have a 92% in stats. I am stressed about hanging on to that A...for some reason math always freaks me out and stats is so weird that who knows what could happen. For example, here is a typical question...tell me if this makes your brain bleed:

"Marc Taylor plans to place 200 bets of $1 each on the number 7 at roulette. A win pays off with odds of 35:1 and, on any one spin, there is a probablity of 1/38 that 7 will be the winning number. Among the 200 bets, what is the mininum number of wins needed for Marc to make a profit?"

Oy vey. The sad thing is I could probably figure this out...I. Just. Don't. Want. To. Soooooo ready for this semester to be over!

Thanks for checking in folks...I'll touch base when I actually have some news that's actually newsy type news.

Rejection #1

Well, I got my first rejection out of the way. I heard from the Sutter program that they will not be requiring my presence next semester. It was my 2nd choice, so I was somewhat bummed, but Sac State is far and away my first choice. I should hear from them in as little as two weeks!!! I could just throw up thinking about it.

In other news, I have turned a corner in chemistry. I scored a 98% on the last exam and realized right after I left the classroom that I got one of them wrong...so in my heart I got a 100! So, if any of my pals have wondered what I've been up to lately...it's obvious! Studying chemistry!

It seems like I had something else to say about nursing school admissions and whatnot, but I can't think of it right now. Guess my brain is full of things like aldehydes and amino acids.

Peace!

The no envelope blues

Well, I heard from another pre-nursing student that the acceptance packets for my 2nd-choice school went out and she received hers two days ago. Since I have not received anything I can only assume I'm in the "thanks but no thanks" category.

Bummer.

Chemistry Haiku

You know you're a nerd when...you write Chemistry Haiku.

Butyric acid
you smell so bad, I can see
why no one likes you

And So We Wait...

So basically pretty much all of my applications are in. I need to try to squeeze in an advising appointment next Friday at one school due to having to wait for some information from my previous college that only recently arrived. At this point, the waiting begins.

I occupy myself with going over my chances to getting in to the various programs I've applied to...here is a quick run-down:

First Choice: Sac State! They receive about 300-400 applicants for 60 slots. Going by probablity alone (loving my Stats class!) then I have about a 0.15 probabity (or 3/20) of getting in. If I go off "odds", then my odds are 3:17. However, Sac State goes off a point system...for the past 7 semesters the highest cut-off point was 74 points. I have at least 89, at most 93. So....maybe it looks good. I will know for sure mid-November or so.

Second Choice: Sutter's program through SCC. Not sure how many applicants they get, but it's at least as many as Sac State and probably more since it's faster and cheaper. No way to know what my chances are...slim to none?

Third Choice: SCC's regular program. When I dropped off my app there were 440 people already on the list. They admit between 40 and 60, and is purely the luck of the draw. So, not really counting on it.

Fourth Choice: American River...this is the app I haven't submitted yet. They get over 800 applications...so another crap shoot.

Keep your fingers crossed for Sac State! If I don't get in for the Spring, then I am taking the GRE December 1st for the Accelerated Second Bachelor's program that starts in the summer with 15 crazy units.

First round of exams OVER!

Here's the breakdown for how my first round of exams went...the first tests are always the most stressful since you don't really know what to expect. So, in that regard I am very happy that they are over and done with!

First of all, a shout-out to Paige who calmed me down before my Anthropology test. I've gotten so accustomed to taking science exams with ONE CORRECT answer, that I was a little freaked out by the open-ended nature of this exam. I ended up scoring a perfect 100% on that one! Whew!

Stats is also going very well. The highet grade for the multiple-choice portion was 41...which several people earned. The highest grade for the free-response part where you draw charts, do all kinds of statistical analysis stuff was 76...again, several people got 76. But how many people do you think got 41 AND 76? At least one!!! :-)

And lastly, chemistry. I have just one thing to say to Robert Burns Woodward, the "Father of Organic Chemistry": You can stick it where the sun don't shine.

The first exam did not go as well as planned...I do not want to be one of those students who blames the professor when they don't do well, so I will try to keep my belly-aching to a minimum. With that said, the general class consensus is that how the prof told us to prepare for the exam did not actually help. I spent hours and hours doing homework questions and felt rather unprepared for the test. The good news is, that 85% is the cutoff for an A...so I am still in the running. Whew!

In other news, hubby got a conditional offer from a fire department near Fresno. Can you say "commute" and "not-moving-to-Fresno" and "have-a-nice-drive-honey"?

Peace all!

Anxiety Level 4

With the application deadlines approaching, I have noticed my anxiety level slowly inching up day by day by day. It didn't help matters at all to find out yesterday that the university does not yet have all my transcripts. So, I've been sending rush orders (when oh when will I ever learn) and just hoping things arrive as they should.

Plus, today is a double-whammy test day...O-Chem (did not do as well as I'd hoped...boo) and Stats. My English class is coming to a close in the next couple of weeks or so and I will be SO GLAD to have those tasks out of my hair!

You know that feeling when you feel like you're either on the verge of crying or throwing up? That's kinda how I feel today...the three coffees I've had so far probably haven't helped. I think I will breathe a BIIIG sigh of relief once all my apps are in and I can just RELAX. Of course, then the waiting will drive me crazy, but it will be a different kind of crazy altogether.

Peace out!

My Essay, CPR and My First Nursing Gadget!

So, I thought I would show you guys my essay that I wrote for one of the programs I am applying to. Let me know if, in the words of Meredith Grey, you would "Pick me...choose me!"

*****
When I graduated from college in 1994, I wanted a career that was fun. With this goal in mind, I pursued a career in advertising. Now that I am older, my priorities have shifted and I now aspire to have a career that is a direct extension of my values. It is of great importance to me that what I choose to spend my time and energy doing is of value to someone besides just me. I want my existence on this earth to matter to someone. I want to know that someone's day was better because I was there. I think we all have a responsibility to each do our part to make the world a better place. Spending the past fifteen years writing advertisements has, in hindsight, not afforded me the personal growth and enrichment that I find so valuable. It is my desire to now devote my energy to a more meaningful career, and there is nothing more meaningful for me than caring for others.

To me, nursing is an irresistible collage of compassion and science. It blends the fascinating complexity of the human body with our most fundamental need to care for one another. Being a nurse will grant me a front row seat at some of the most monumental moments in life. It will allow me to witness both birth and death, courage and recovery, joy and sorrow. I cannot envision an honor more great, a purpose more noble or an adventure more compelling than being a nurse.
*****

On another note, got my Healthcare Provider CPR card today. Whoo-weee! Though it would stink if someone actually collapsed in front of me, it would be pretty cool to try my new skills. The class was supposed to go from 8-12, but thankfully I got out around 11:30-ish. I had a test at 1:00 in Anthropology so I was able to grab a quick bite at the crepe place next door to the college beforehand. As for the test...I think I killed it. Stay tuned to find out!

Annnnd, I am happy to report that I am now the proud owner of a red Littmann Master Classic II Stethoscope! My husband got it for me through his job, so I am excited! I hear these are fabulous 'scopes, and I've already been listening to the heart and lungs of anyone who will hold still. Of course, I have no idea what I'm doing, but it feels very "nurse-y" and I like it!

Application Craziness

As part of my journey to becoming an RN one must test one's patience and good nature by undergoing the application process. Here is what mine entails:
1) Ordering transcripts for RUSH delivery because I can't do anything in advance, that would make too much sense!
2) Ordering catalog descriptions for all pre-reqs and co-reqs that I took out of state
3) Taking the TEAS exam (scored in the 99th percentile!)
4) Taking a test to prove my reading proficiency (killed it!)
5) Getting CPR certified...not just the regular CPR, but one for healthcare professionals (doing that tomorrow)
6) Meeting with counselors at two different colleges
7) Traisping all over campus getting my out-of-state pre-reqs signed off by the dean of each department
9) Re-taking the TEAS exam (first time was a charm...why mess with a good thing?)
10) Writing an essay about why I want to be an RN (daaaamn good essay!)
10) Studying for and taking the GRE (December 1st...gulp)

Most of this has been accomplished in the past couple of weeks, so yeah...I've been pretty busy.

On top of that I am taking four classes this semester...my final pre-reqs for my top-pick BSN school: A survey course of o-chem and bio chem, Stats, English Composition, and Cultural Anthropology. The good news is, my English class is half a semester, so I'm almost finished! I just have one more big paper to write, and then my final assignment is to re-write my first essay...cake! October 15th is also the deadline for the rest of my apps, so come October 16th, I will be feeling a lot less stress! I have decided that taking my A&P II class over the summer was actually a really good thing...now all my other classes seem so sloooooow. I needed a break!

So here is the application plan...I have to keep it somewhat anonymous so that I don't eventually break any HIPAA rules later on when I start working with patients.
Top pick: State school by my house...they have a regular BSN and an Accelerated Second Bachelor's...Either one would be great, but I'm kind of scared of the accelerated part, so I'm hoping for the two-year BSN.
Second pick: Local ADN program that works in conjunction with an awesome local hospital.
Third pick: ADN programs at various CCs in the area.

Decision dates are around the end of November...so we's gots some waitin' to do ya'll.

Peace!

So what is 2,4 Dimethylhexane anyway?

With opening lines like that I plan to be ASTOUNDING at cocktail parties. So obviously this semester I am taking Organic Chemistry, but before you start freaking out let me clarify that this is a survey course of O-Chem and Biochem...so it's not as horrific as straight O-Chem. I've heard it's actually not that bad...AND, we get to make soap! Cool!

The other classes I am taking are: Introductory Statistics, Cultural Anthropology and English Composition. So, yeah...I'm pretty busy. I am also getting ready to start filling out my school applications...think positive thoughts for Sac State! I am totally nervous about Sac State...mainly because I do not get any of the extra points for things like knowing Mandarin or living in abject poverty. I may get two points since my parents didn't graduate from college...but I'm so old...does that even count anymore?

Plus, since I went to college in Kansas, will they accept all my transfers? Totally stressed!!!!! On top of that I have to take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) on the 11th, and the GRE on the 21st or so. Am I ready for the GRE? NO! I have taken the TEAS once before, but I think I can do better score-wise. I got a 94.1 and I'm aiming for a 96%.

I am sooo ready for winter vacation! Tom and I are thinking of going to Oregon for a few days skiing at Mt. Ashland, a few days at the beach and a few days in the town of Ashland. Since I'll be starting at Sac State in January (positive thinking!), then this will be our last vacay for awhile.

Not sure if I updated ya'll on my A&P class from this summer. Totally rocked it. Another A ;-) Though that class was horrendously compacted and the lectures were insanely long there is one good thing about it...now even my two hour lectures seem amazingly short! Yay for that!

On the Fitness Front...

Ok, so don't tell my hubby but for his B-Day I got him this cool thing by Nike that you put in your shoe and it logs your running mileage...somehow it communicates all this to your iPod so you can analyze your running program on your iPod. It's way cool. So, in conjunction with that I signed the two of us up for a 5K on September 14th...that's not very far from now considering that I get winded if I jog for more than 2 minutes straight.

So...to gear up for our big run I am running with the help of a Podcast called "Couch to 5K", which basically turns even the laziest person ever (me) into a runner in 9 weeks. Since I am also trying to talk my friend Cheri into doing a duathlon on August 24th, I am compressing my 9 week running plan down to 7 or so. And yes, I know that the whole idea is to gradually ease into running, but hey...I can bench press 40 pounds and do 3.5 "real" push-ups, so it's not like I'm starting at groun zero here. :-)

Oh, I also got him a wobble-board, which is kind of one of those things that I think he'll like but that I KNOW I'll like. If I were cool enough to do links I'd do them here so you could check it out, but alas...I am not that cool.

Call me Super Nerd

I will be the first to admit that I am having The Most Un-Summer Summer Ever. I am taking the second component to Anatomy & Physiology and it is surprising how things like this just take over your life. One minute I'm chatty and interesting at parties and the next I'm only able to discuss lymph nodes and afterload. Riveting.

At this point I am halfway through the class...we have our third exam next Thursday, then there's only one more "regular" exam...the last one is take-home, I'm thinking because it's given just a couple of days after text #4 and there's no way to assimilate all the information in that short of time. Plus, the final is optional, so as long as I do well on my next two tests, then I can kind of skate for the final week or so of class. So, that means only 2.5 more weeks of super-intense A&P. Yippeeeee!

So right now we're studying the circulatory system, having finished up on the heart last week. I have to say that this stuff is much more interesting than I thought it would be...just the regulation of blood pressure alone is really really interesting. So, the good news is that even though I'm borING I am not at all borED. For this chapter, the main challenge is memorizing most of the arteries and veins of the body and being able to recite a pathway, say from the ascending aorta to the anterior tibial artery. I'm doing pretty good on all the extremities, it's the trunk that is the most confusing...there are a lot of vessels in that area! I'm almost got the arteries down, though...and will start memorizing the veins probably tomorrow. Again, I am just riveting at parties.

What else is new? My hubby is interviewing with a fire department in the armpit of California, and knowing our luck this will be the one that he lands. Plus, only 5 guys showed up to the initial cattle-call interview and they're hiring 3 or so. So, compared to odds of about 100 to 1, this is pretty good. The only thing I can think of to keep myself sane is that I'll be so busy with nursing school that I won't notice what an armpit I'm living in...is this the case? Anyone? I don't even want to THINK about what would happen if I didn't get into a program...that would be really not good with a capital R-N-G.

Ok, off to read all my other favorite blogs...wasting time when I should be studying is one of my guilty pleasures!

I can bench press 40 pounds!

Ok, when you look at it written out like that it doesn't sound like much. But I was totally stoked anyway. That means I can probably lift the bar now...no weights on it, just the bar. How cool is that? Ok, it's not totally cool. Totally cool would be racking up some weight, but I'll settle for graduating the to the bar...at least for now!

First day, first impressions

So I went to my first day of summer school yesterday at the Sutter Center for Health Professionals...an extension campus that is muuuuuuch nicer than the digs at American River College. For those of you who can't keep up with my ridiculous course schedule, I am taking the second segment of Anatomy & Physiology after having killed the first segment last semester. However, this course is compressed into only 8 weeks, so I'm expecting it to be a different kind of hell entirely. After one day (and 5 hours of sitting in the same spot), these are my first impressions:

- My instructor is young and kinda cute. I doubt I'll want to crawl under the table when he talks about penises and vaginas in the upcoming chapter on the reproductive system, the way I would have in Dr. K's class (instructor from last semester)
- He seems very organized...but his lecture style and slides/outlines are COMPLETELY different from what I'm used to. It took me 2-3 hours last night to type up my notes from class because I had to look for information in at least 4 different places. Yuck.
- Facilities are very nice. There's a little break room with a vending machine that spews out really bad coffee (but hey, it's coffee!), a microwave and a really nice outdoor area for lounging.
- All the models are brand new
- No wet lab...meaning no dissecting!!!!!! Yippeeeeeee :-)
- The schedule is hellish. I have a test in less than two weeks. Good lord.
- The last exam is take home!
- The final is optional since he drops your lowest test score...so yay...hopefully I'll be able to ditch the final!
- Quizzes every day using those new-fangled "clicker" things.
- The chairs are kinda weird, and aren't deep enough to allow me to sit cross-legged...a major bummer
- Did I mention no dissecting??????

So...that's it! I'll try to update this blog at least once a week while I'm in school because I am simply not going to have time to stay in touch with my peeps "one-on-one" the way I normally do. Consider this your link to Mo for the next 8 weeks!

How many 5 year olds could YOU beat in a fight?

20

According to this snazzy web page, I could take on 20 five year olds in a fight. I guess this site was spawned perhaps by that plot of grade school children to kill their teacher? Or maybe it was there before and I just happened across it. Great great fun. I sooo love "the internets".

Item #1 on my List of Things I Never Dreamed I'd Say: "This cat's skin does NOT want to come off!"

Yes, you read that right. I have skinned a cat. That is not a typo...SKINNED A FREAKIN' CAT! And yes, that sound you heard is me throwing up in my mouth.

My Anatomy & Physiology class requires the dissection of a cat. Don't ask me why as I am not going to vet school, nor do I plan to become a surgeon or a doctor. Needless to say, this experience puts the "un" in unpleasant. We got a very large black boy kitty who we promptly named Mr. Bigglesworth. How big is he? He's so big that his tail hangs off the end of the dissection tray dripping cat juice all over the floor and onto our clothes. UNpleasant!

Day 1 of the cat dissection involved removing the skin, and let me tell ya...our cat was one tough cookie. Not only is he huge, but he has very strong and tough fascia. For those of you who don't know what fascia is, it's that stuff that makes the tearing noise when you pull the skin off something (the sound you just heard was you throwing up in your mouth.) His skin was firmly adhered to his musculature via the fascia from hell and it was n-a-s-t-y trying to get it off. Mostly I just held Mr. B while my lab partners tugged (literally TUGGED) at his skin. It was all I could do, though I did help a little...I think I used the scissors some and maybe the probe. It's all a formaldehyde-induced blur.

Day 2 of the dissection involved isolating muscles. All I have to say about that is: dark meat turkey. 'Nuff said. Drumstick anyone?

So...while I'm saddened and disgusted that we have to do this useless task, I am proud of myself that I have done as much as I've managed so far. Thank god for awesome lab partners who aren't as squeamish as little ol' me. If I was on my own I would be so totally screwed.

On a brighter note...I got a 96 on my practical and a 95 on my written test. Toot toot with the self-blowing horn!

Peace!
Not-so-mighty Mo

Algebra miracles and sore buns

You might want to sit down for this. OK, are you ready? Here goes...yours truly, a self-proclaimed number phobe, got a 96% on an Algebra test.

(brief pause while you sit in shocked silence).


Yes, it is an Algebra Miracle...and just in time for Spring Break! I am off school this week and am spending today preparing my taxes and the rest of the week working on the yard and studying bones for my A&P test.

Speaking of school, I am having some school anxiety...I just want to get into a nursing program already, and the more I think about it the more I want to get a second bachelor's since I know I'm going to want an advanced degree at some point. So, my plan, at least for now, is to apply to the ADN programs that start in January and commence with school this fall as though I won't get in (which I very well may not, the programs are totally impacted), and then apply to a BSN program (Sac State has one, and so does Samuel Merritt if I want to cough up oodles of dollars). In fact, some BSN programs are accelerated and I could maybe even finish another Bachelor's in the amount of time it would take me to get an Associate's Degree (or close to it.) Anyone have any thoughts on this?

In order to apply to one of the accelerated BSN programs I need four additional courses...Organic Chemistry, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Statistics. Think that's even possible in one semester? Oh god...it sounds insane...probably because it is insane .

Anyway, that's the school thing...now on to the sore buns.

I am seriously needing to do something about the enormity of my butt, so I started doing my Bar Method DVDs recently as well as Callanetics. Stay tuned for updates...I will probably measure the mass in a couple of weeks. My first impressions are "ouch"... which is a good thing when it comes to exercise, right?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

"But who will take care of you when you're old?"

People often throw this one out there when they talk to someone who doesn't plan to have kids, as if having a child is any guarantee that you'll have a dedicated caregiver in your old age. If you don't believe me, just ask Terry Caffey, who is the lone survivor of a brutal attack that killed his wife and two children. His daughter and his daughter's boyfriend are the main suspects. Terry, who was shot in the head (quite possibly by the same person who was supposed to care for him in his old age) will be lucky if he even lives that long. You can read the horrible events here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080302/ap_on_re_us/texas_deaths

Of course, I'm not saying all children end up murdering their parents, but the shocking number of people who are killed by their parents or their children is proof enough that not everyone is cut out for this, and further proof that stock answers and generalizations do not apply to all.

This is what happens when you don't, "change your mind."

I found this post on a website that is like the most addicting train wreck you have ever seen...True Mom Confessions. About half the "confessions" are positive, "I have the best baby who sleeps through the night at 2 months and is already potty-trained...I'm sooo luckeeeee", and about half are of the "I want to die, motherhood is killing me" variety. A big thanks to the blog Child Free Clique for turning me on to this train wreck.

All too often people think it's necessary to force their advice and opinions on me in regards to my choice to be childfree at 37 (with a 10-year birth control device in place..thank you very much), and they tend to say things like "Oh you'll change your mind", or "It's different when it's your own kid" and a whole load of other nonsense. It's called Child Free Bingo for a reason...the same old tired phrases get thrown at me again and again. But I digress...

I came across this confession (one of hundreds) that proves that it is not DIFFERENT when it's your own...well, actually it is different. When it's your own kid you can't hand it off to its parents when it starts in with the crying and the runny nose and the poopy diaper and whatnot. So, without further ado, here's the confession:

"I am a better mom when I drink. Really. I don't get drunk. I just get buzzed enough to be relaxed. I am more tolerant of their loudness and annoying behaviour after I have had a few drinks. I will sit and listen to them ramble on about some stupid crap they are interested in when I have a drink in my hand. I am more lenient and laugh easier with them. When I am sober, I am selfish and mean. I just want them to be quiet and leave me alone. I don't want to listen to them or even be in the same room with them. I haven't always felt this way. They are teens now and they just bug the crap out of me. I HAVE to have alcohol so I won't go INSANE. I feel so awful because of this."

Do you really think this woman should have had children? Do you really think that she "changed her mind" or feels that it's "different because it's her own?" Obviously not...but someone somewhere probably forced their ideas onto her and she caved...whether it was her husband, her family, her girlfriends or just society in general...she chose a path that deliberately put her into her own personal hell. People...do yourselves a favor. Think about it long and hard BEFORE you have kids. If it's something you want then do it and PLEASE BE GREAT AT IT. If it's not your cup of tea do not cave to societal pressure. Doing something that is 100% permanent and involves innocent others because you "might change your mind" takes a very special kind of stupid.

As I've always said..."there's not enough wine in the world."

San Francisco Yoga Conference

I just realized I never really talk about yoga in my blog. Why is that? Probably because I have been a baaaad yogi since school started and have not been yoga-ing as much as I would like. Anyway, in an attempt to get my Yoga MoJo back (a process initiated by no longer teaching my Saturday yoga class), I attended the San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference. If you haven't been to one of these conferences and are interested in going, you should know that it is crowded. As in lots and lots of people all over the place. And, I was really lame and only went to 3 out of the 6 classes...but the three I went to were great and taking a class with Ana Forrest was divine. I really felt my yoga MoJo in her class, and had a "yoga moment" in David Life's class, when I did my best Tittibhasana ever! Here's a pic...but that's not me...that's just some random pic I found online to show how cool this asana is.
So...my overall impression of the conference:

Thumbs up: Ana Forrest, good freebies, great Yoga Marketplace
Thumbs down: Too crowded, expensive, floors carpeted

Try Ojai instead! It's a fabulous retreat :-)

Sad news about Shakey Jake

It's been a few weeks, so I can write this without tearing up. Poor little Jakey is no longer with us. His fungal infection was just too big for his little immune system, and after a scary episode of labored breathing I took him to the emergency vet where I was told he was "oxygen dependent." He was such a great little cat, and I can't help but wonder why I keep getting all the sick animals. I have made Tibi and Oliver promise that they'll just keel over...no long, drawn-out illnesses...please!

When I went to pick up his ashes, they had made a little ceramic paw print, which made me cry like a baby. It is just the sweetest little thing, and I have added it to my growing shrine to all my dead loved ones...so far I have a picture of my mom, a painting and photograph of Truman, Jake's ashes and paw print, and a wooden cat that sort of resembles Judi. It's kind of sweet in a sad sort of way...my little shrine of love or sadness or appreciation and gratitude...depends on my mood.

Hug your kitties!

May I ever so humbly....brag?

Ok, I can't resist! After reading through some not-so-recent posts, I realized I never provided closure to the whole Microbiology thing. Let's just say there was a highest grade in the class and that I know this person VERY well. Was that modest enough? The really amazing thing is that I got a higher grade than Doogie Howser, this total science geek that sat next to me for all of two weeks before I had to relocate thanks to his constant muttering and criticisms of the instructor. So, toot-too...that's one more horn tooting for moi! Who knew?

One of my favorite sites...

I know...it proves I'm a cat geek, but this website has the funniest cat pictures. I love this one...the kitty looks like my Trumie.

moar funny pictures

There's a Fungus Among Us

So for anyone that has not yet been bored to tears with long-winded recitations of my kittie's horrible illess, the good news is that the vet listened to kitty's lungs today and said they sounded "good." Jake (AKA Shakey Jake) has a fungal infection in his chest...poor little baby. It is actually quite a nasty bug with the most expensive drugs on the planet. Let's just put it this way...I could lease a Prius for what I'm paying for his meds.

He has been on the fluconazole for about 4 weeks and just started a 2-week run of amphotericin last Friday. Today was his second amphotericin dose (which has to be done at the vet's office...of course! Nothing easy about my life!), so Jake and I are just really hoping things will start looking up soon. Even after he is clear of the fungus he will stay on the fluconazole for three more months...Prius anyone? Not me!!!

What else is new? I am killing it in Microbiology, though I must admit I got Bs on both of my lab practicals. They were totally trying to trick us with some of those questions...but whatever. I am cleaning up with all my other exams and projects, so an A is pretty much assured, as long as I don't choke on the next exam or the final. And tomorrow I sign up for A&P...woo-weee! Keep your fingers crossed that I get the class I want. I am trying to talk my current Micro lab partner into taking the same class so she can be the one to skin and cut into our dissection kitty. I can't even think about it.

Toot! Toot!

That's me...tooting my own horn again. I got a 98.8% on my last Microbiology exam. Whooo-hooooo! OK, I know it's not cool to brag but I can't help it! I am so darn amazed at how this whole school thing is turning out. Is this a sign that I am finally looking in the right direction? Science is just so fun (that's the school nerd in me talking....the same school nerd that has an Excel spreadsheet so I can keep track of my A!). And now we're finally to the section of the class where we learn all about nasty diseases. I am a walking encyclopedia of nastiness right now...a word to the wise: get your tetanus booster. You do not want tetanus. Period.
Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a New Identity!

I kinda feel like Jason Bourne as I now have in my possession a driver's license that says Maureen Nicole Osuna. I guess I'll eventually get used to it, but it feels kind of make-believe-ish at this point. Like maybe I could travel "off the grid" under this assumed identity.

Yoga Etiquette Tips from an Almost-Ex Yoga Teacher

After months and months of being exhausted, depleted and all around cranky I have finally decided to lighten the load a bit and take a break from teaching yoga. There are LOTS of reasons for this, the main one being that I simply need to give to ME for awhile and get my Yoga MoJo back. For me it is hard to immerse myself into yoga student-ness when I approach every practice like a prelude to teaching. I'm constantly breaking down the sequences, thinking about how I would teach them, etc... Plus, it's the time commitment. The Saturday class has kept me from being able to totally unplug on the weekends, and I think that little battery-recharge is one I so desperately need.

So, with that said I present the Top Ten Yoga Etiquette Tips or Top Ten Things That Interrupt My Yoga Mojo. If you ever take a yoga class, keep this Top Ten in mind to ensure a happy teacher and happy fellow students!

1- BE ON TIME. I can't tell you how basic this is. I am a perpetually on-time/early person and feel that it is a show of respect to the activity you are partaking in and the people you are joining to be there on time. When you show up late, you throw off the teacher's meditation or pranayama session...THE most important part of the class as it sets the tone and intention for the class. You also disrupt all the other people as you open the door, close the door, drop your keys, take off your shoes, turn off your cell phone, go to the bathroom, unroll your very noisy mat and finally have a seat. If you are new to the class or instructor, this counts as doubly rude since you now do not have a chance to let the instructor know of any injuries, limitations or concerns.

2- GO TO THE CLASS THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR LEVEL. If the description says it is for intermediate students and the only yoga you've done is bending over to tie your shoes, PLEASE do not attend that class. if you are BRAND NEW to yoga, even if you are physically fit and really smart, you still need to attend a beginning level class. The reason is that the teacher in a beginning class will explain all the basics of the poses and go at a slower pace to account for all the instruction-giving. Showing up to a more advanced class forces the teacher to either A) slow the pacing for everyone in the class so you don't hurt yourself, or B) risk letting you hurt yourself and feel like a doof as you try to flow into and out of poses that you should have learned in a more basic class. VERY beginning students who are new to yoga AND physical activity should plan on spending 6-8 months in a beginning level class. Beginning students who are pretty fit could probably get by with 3-4 months of basic instruction before moving on. There is NOTHING wrong or embarassing about being a beginner...it is the best part of your yoga journey....enjoy it!

3- WHEN THE TEACHER TELLS YOU NOT TO JUMP UP INTO YOUR HEADSTAND, LISTEN TO HER! I finally had to stop teaching headstand because people were scaring the shit out of me. I would patienty demonstrate how to do a partial headstand (with one or two feet still on the ground) and then the option of gently lifting up into a headstand...all the while admonishing students to AVOID JUMPING and putting strain on their necks. Lo and behold....what always happens? Because people cannot listen, I decided to cut my losses and avoid the whole enterprise all together. PLEASE DO NOT JUMP INTO HEADSTAND...what part of that do you not understand? Geez!

4- WATCH THE DEMONSTRATIONS. The teacher demonstrates poses and sequences for a reason. Watch. Especially if you are new. Even if you are not new, watch anyway...you might learn something new. I have been taking yoga for years and always stop to watch the demo...even if it's something I've done a hundred times in my sleep. It is always inspiring to learn how someone else approaches an asana, and it gives me a moment to appreciate the beauty of the yoga asana in action. Occasionally the instructor will tell advanced students to continue without the demo, and advice newer students to watch the demo. If you are new, watch the demo and ignor the other students. Watch the demo. Got it?

5- DON'T BE A LOOKIE-LOO. Frankly, I do not attend yoga class so other students (and guys in particular) can stare at my ass or watch me do my yoga. If you are taking a break from an asana, look straight ahead and meditate, assume child's pose or tadasana, or just sit quietly with your eyes closed as you visualize YOURSELF doing the asana.

6- DON'T TELL THE TEACHER HOW TO TEACH THE CLASS. She (or he) is not your bitch. If it is too hot for you, chances are the teacher has the heat on for a reason. If you are too cold, amp up your practice and your breath to generate some heat. Bring layers. No one likes a complainer. Get it? Got it? Good.

7- TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN PRACTICE. You do not have to do everything the teacher covers in the class. If it is going to make you miserable, exhausted, injured or cranky leave it out. If you need modifications DO THEM! One of my biggest pet peeves is students NOT doing modifications when they know they need them. If you know backbends tweak your back and the teacher has given you a modifciation three weeks ago, IT STILL APPLIES TODAY! If you are ever in pain in yoga class, it is always and only always your own fault. BE YOUR OWN GUIDE!

8- WITH THAT SAID, QUIT BEING SUCH A WUSS. Yes, yoga is hard. And yes, there are times when it can be immensely uncomfortable. Learn the difference between being uncomfortable and being in pain. Attending beginning level classes for many months will give you the body awareness you need to understand this distinction. Just becaue you are feeling your muscles stretch does not mean "it huuuuuuurts." If you are really that suseptible to injury then you need private lessons for awhile, or the assistance of a physical therapist.

9- DO NOT WEAR PERFUMES OR COLOGNES TO CLASS. Contrary to what the full-page ads in Vogue magazine say, your cologe or perfume stinks. Really really bad. I don't care how expensive it is, it stinks. Plain and simple.

10- COME TO CLASS CLEAN AND FRESH. And please let that cleanliness extend to your feet. I have seen some scary feet in my day and they usually (but not always) belong to men. Also, this may sound basic but you'd be surpirsed...please shower before class and wear clean clothing. If you tend to sweat a lot, use a towel to mop up the sweat you drip on the floor....ewwww....nothing worse than walking through somebody else's sweat drops. Nasty.

Ok, with all that said and done you can consider yourself ready to attend any yoga class with confidence and good manners intact! If you have thought of something I left out, please comment!

May I Introduce...The Incredible Shrinking Boom-Boom

Well, after years and years of poo-pooing low carb lifestyles, I have finally become a believer. For the past two weeks I cut out ALL sugar and ALL refined carbohydrates plus all grains, wheat, pastries, cereal, pasta, donuts, pizza, etc.... I am now in the 120's again! I seriously cannot believe it...and the best part is, it wasn't hard at all. I felt crappy around days 2-4, but have felt amazing ever since. I am slowly adding more carbs back into my diet because I seriously do not want to lose weight THIS fast as I want it to stay off forever! I do think I will be done with sugar...I haven't had a single headache in two weeks AND my blemishes are clearing up...my skin looks great! PLUS, my husband agreed a while back to give me $50 for every pound lost...I've already made $350! I'll end up with a total of $1200 to go shopping...happy dance happy dance!

So, if anyone is interested, here is what I've been eating: LOTS of veggies...as in TONS AND TONS of veggies. Eggs for breakfast, salads for lunch and either salad for dinner, a vegetarian entree of some kind or fish and veggies. Did I mention the veggies?

The website that totally inspired me and has kep me on track is www.sugarfreesheila.com. Not only is she cute as a button, but extremely helpful and motivating. If you are interested in exploring a sugar free life, please check it out!

It's a Microbiology Miracle!

Who knew I would end up being a Microbiology Genius? I scored a 95.5% on the first test, and the class average was 75%...AND, this is even with me SKIPPING FOUR QUESTIONS. Not sure how those questions escaped my careful scrutiny, but I somehow managed to skip right over them in a rush to get to the essay questions. Assuming I had answered all four correctly, I could have had a 99.5%. So needless to say, I am feeling pretty good right about now. Let's hope the genius-ness continues!

I Survived my first microbiology test!!!!!!!

...AND I have it on good authority that Microbiology gets much better after all that icky metabolism stuff. So YAY! I counted up all the questions I totally guessed on, and that totalled about 9, so I figured I might, MIGHT get an A if I slam-dunked my essay questions AND my bonus question. Stay tuned!

Microbiology is kicking my Macro-Booty

I am lame...I haven't posted in almost TWO MONTHS...which is really pathetic. I started school at the end of August (which only partially explains my lameness) and have been a complete whack-job ever since. I have class Monday-Thursday nights and the rest of the time I am trying to get my freelance business up and running, help Tom with his business, take care of the house and three cats + one child (oops, I mean + one husband), and maybe squeeze in time to shave my legs once in a while.

Microbiology is kicking my butt. It makes Chemistry look like a walk in the park...and I studied my butt off for my A in Chem. I have my first test tomorrow night, so we'll see....but from where I stand it does not look so bueno. Not so bueno at all. I am hoping that the semester will get easier now that we have Microbial Metabolism behind us, but the chapters ahead (Recombinant DNA Technology, Microbial Genetics and other exciting topics) do not bode well. If anyone has taken Micro please let me know if it gets better!!!! I am mainly looking forward to the section of the book where we see what kinds of nasty disesase people get from bacteria and viruses...icky pictures and all!

My lab though, is FUN! It's really neat to see what kinds of disgusting things grow from our cultures. Plus my lab partner is really nice and every day I thank GOD that I do not have Annoying Guy as my lab partner. Annoying Guy is this major science geek that smirks all the way through class and corrects the teacher's pronunciation and every little thing under his breath (and sometimes out loud to the whole class). I had the joy and pleasure of sitting near him for the first three weeks until I had HAD IT! I soooo wanted to tell him off, but instead took the path of least resistance and just sat on the opposite side of the room...."Take that you science geek!"

In other news, I am no longer working in the office...did I post about that already? I got "released" from employee status back to my independent contractor status (another thing I am thankful for every day), and am now back to my insane self-employed-ness. The kittens all got exceptional homes, my hair is long enough to put in hot rollers and I am still as fat as ever. I'm working on it though...I promise I am going to get on a schedule and start taking my morning walks again. PROMISE!

I'll also promise to try to not be so lame and to update my blog more regularly. At the very least I have to let you know how easy my Micro test is...ha!