Big News!!!

I got my acceptance letter into the RN Nursing Program this past Saturday!

Now, it's official and I couldn't be more excited. I've already gotten a few calls from friends that have also gotten into the program and can't wait til our June 15th meeting to find out who else got in. I think we're going to have an awesome group and am super excited about the new lifelong friendships I'm bound to make.

Also, Allison gave me a wonderful award last weekend and since I haven't gotten a chance to get online, I haven't posted about it yet.



What an awesome award, thanks Allison!

The rules are simple: You pass it onto five of your bloggy friends who you've never met in person, but think you'd be the best of friends with if you ever did!

I would choose Allison at The Displaced Texan as well. She and I share the same conservative views and I completely admire her courage in speaking up for what she believes in. Also, she's a Neonatal Nurse, what's not to like?

I would also choose Honey at Honey and Quilts. She's an amazing quilter and I could definitely enjoy some quilting retreats with her. The girl also knows how to have a good time and would be blast to hang out with.

Becca at Lovely Yellow Ribbons is a ton of fun. I really admire her creative side too, she's always making the neatest things.

I couldn't not put JLC at French Kiss. She seriously is one of the sweetest and most kind ladies I've met through blogging. She always makes a point to support others with comments. Her blog is full of optimism, humor and romance for her Bumbee. Her's one of my most favorite blogs to read.

Steph at the Adventures of Jon and Steph is another blogger I think I'd be great friends with in real life. Hello, she's a fellow Okie for one! She's also bubbly and fun. I'm so envious of her amazing traveling experiences and so grateful that she shares it all with us through her beautiful photography.

It was so hard to narrow this down to five because I adore all of you ladies out there.

Also, Happy Memorial Day to all of you. We should say a prayer for our Servicemen and Women everyday and what better way to remember it than with a holiday. I visited Arlington Cemetery on a trip to Washington D.C. in 2005. I was in awe when I saw the vast expanse of the numerous white headstones. Just thinking of it gives me goosebumps and it's something I'll never ever forget.
Thank you so much to all the military wives as well for your own sacrifices while your husbands are protecting the freedom of all Americans.

I would like to thank...

I got this cute little award from sHw. Thanks so much! It sure did brighten my day.



So, here's something lighthearted to get that yucky last post off the homepage. Thank you all so much for all the encouragement and kind words. It's surprising how good it felt to just get it all off my chest. Also, thanks to my new followers. I appreciate all the support and comments. Don't be shy to speak up, I love the feedback.

Now, here are the Rules:
List seven things that make YOU awe-summm, pass on to seven others, link to the Queen that tagged, and post your award!

1. Holy-Moley! I've got olive skin and too many moles, but I have one that's just above the left corner of my mouth, a la Cindy Crawford. That beauty mark is one of my favorite physical features.

2. I'm a generous person and love to help others in need. I regularly donate blood to the Red Cross and am on the National Bone Marrow Registry. I pray that some day I can donate my bone marrow and help save a life. Enduring a little pain is more than worth it to give someone a second chance at life.

3. I'm 5'8" so I'm tall enough to reach the very highest shelves in the pantry ;)

4. I love with all my heart. I'd say I'm a loving person and Matt and my family are my world.

5. I'm blessed with some wonderful friends. I'm all about quality and not quantity. When it comes to girlfriends, I've struck gold.

6. I like to clean and am probably slightly OCD. I can't ever leave my apartment for the weekend with dirty dishes in the sink or an untidy living room.

7. I like school and love to learn. Considering that it will take me a total of 6 years to get my bachelor's, this definitely is an awesome quality.


So, fellow Queens, tell me what makes you Awe-summ!

I tag:

New Girl on Post

Mrs. Guru

Abbie

JLC

Yours Truly

Steph

Allison

Also, a big thank you to Melissa at New Girl on Post for her Annual Blogging Award. She's a super sweet gal that I'm lucky enough to have as a best friend in real life. If you haven't yet, be sure to check out her two blogs New Girl on Post and A Picture's Worth a 1000 Words. I promise you'll fall head over heels for her, as I and many other bloggers have.


On another note, I'm really enjoying The Host so far. Sure, it's no Twilight, but it is really intriguing and a pretty good page-turner.

My CNA classes are coming along really well. I start three days of clinicals next Monday then take the exam on Thursday. I definitely know it is an extremely unglamorous job, but the main thing is helping people who couldn't help themselves otherwise. Several of my friends work as CNA's to get some extra experience before RN school and they love their jobs because they are helping others and making a difference. I know it's a backbreaking, crude, and often thankless job, but, I'm excited to get my certification and get to working. There is a part-time opening in the Cardiac ICU that sounds really good. It's in a city that's about 45 minutes away but I don't think the drive will be too bad considering it's only 2 days a week. I've got my fingers crossed that I can get hired on quickly.

Until next time,
Hugs!!!

A Clever Title

I'm in a funk lately and guess I just need to vent.

Sorry you have to be the brunt of my griping...

The Good:

I got my first set of scrubs today for class. I know it's something little, but I've been pretty excited to get scrubs, my stethoscope, and shoes for a while now. I can't wait to wear the whole uniform to class on Monday. I'm sure I'll find this excitement pretty funny in a few years when scrubs are no big thing.

My mom bought a new bed for my room which is the guest room when I'm not around. It's a Vera Wang mattress and it's oh so heavenly. Love it.

Two-hour Grey's Anatomy Season Finale tonight!


The Bad and The Ugly:

The baby's so fussy today and Tarra won't quit yelling at her. She's not very comforting and thinks that since she's her mother she has to yell and be overly stern. Yes, Bailey's throwing fits left and right. Yes, she won't eat ANYTHING but EasyMac. But, I'm sick and tired of the hostility, crying, and screaming.

I've been living back at my parent's for a week now and I'm already fed up with my mom and my sister arguing non-stop about the baby and being stuck in the middle.

I feel like bawling and don't even know why. I'm so overly emotional it's exhausting.

Got my hair cut this evening. Paid $19 to get my eyebrows waxed! (which didn't even need shaped, only cleaned up) Freaked out when I got the receipt. Am less than thrilled with my cut too because she jacked up my bangs.

I don't like blogging right now. I feel like I don't really have anything to write about. I hate griping because who wants to listen to someone go on a rant about their personal problems?




I'm reading "The Host" right now. I think I'll go seclude myself in bed and get some reading done.

Twilight Winner!

And the Winner is:


#6 Sarah!

Congrats Sarah! Email me with your choice of either the movie or soundtrack and I'll get it shipped out.

I did the drawing on random.org but have no clue how to post the pic. Anyone have a suggestion?

In other news, today was day one of my CNA class.

I was nervous about it because I usually don't like new or unfamiliar stuff, but I was pleasantly surprised. The instructor is easy-going and not intimidating at all. She's also got a sense of humor which made the 8 hour class today go by faster. I've got four classes a week for the next three weeks until I can take the exam and hopefully get a job shortly thereafter. Nothing quite like wrapping up Finals week then starting 90+ hours of classes and clinicals the following Monday. Fingers are crossed that the hospital in town will be hiring.

I probably won't be blogging too much with all these classes going on. I always miss catching up on all your blogs too, so I'll have to squeeze in some reading time sometime.

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Time for a Giveaway!

As promised,

It's giveaway time in honor of my 50th post!

I doubt that you'll be surprised by this giveaway as I've probably been blogging enough "Twilight" to annoy most of you.

I also need to gush a little too. Did you know that an Egyptian vampire in the fourth book "Breaking Dawn" is named Kebi!?! I know I'm overly giddy about it, but I've never even met anyone else with my name, let alone seen it in a book!

I knew I liked Stephenie Meyer for a reason ;)

Now, for the good stuff. The winner will have her choice of:

Twilight the movie



Or she may choose the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack



Even if you aren't a 'Twihard', I bet you'll like the soundtrack. It features artists such as Paramore, Linkin Park and Muse. I bought it last week and haven't been able to stop listening ever since.

Here is a short playlist so you can get a taste.

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Here are the rules to enter

One entry: Leave a comment telling me what good books you've read lately and would recommend. If you're not a reader, no worries, just say hi!

Additional Entry: Leave another comment letting me know you are a follower or have become a follower
Giveaway ends Monday, May 11th at noon central time. I'll announce the winner that evening.

Also, for you non-twilight fans, I'll be doing another giveaway in a few weeks for some homemade goodies.

Good Luck!

What's In A Name?

When I started writing this blog at the end of January my life was somewhat in a frenzy.

I had been stressing for the past eight months about making A's in my ranking classes to get into nursing school for the Fall 09 semester. If I made all A's I'd have no worries about being one of the 75 applicants accepted into the extremely competitive program. Not being accepted and having to wait an additional year before starting would have been devastating.

I had just finished my Introduction to Logic class elective requirement which was a semester of stressful hell because I had to learn a new way to 'think' and I was totally unfamiliar with any philosophy courses. Not to mention, I also finished Anatomy and Physiology which was pretty intense too.

I had been late on three payments, mine and Matt's rent and two credit card bills. It wasn't because I didn't have the money, it was in the checking account. I just completely forgot about the statements and didn't pay them. This is soo not me, I'm usually much more punctual about money. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed in myself for dropping the ball and for having to pay $60 in late fees when money was already tight.

Matt and I had some previous issues arise at that time too and the fighting and stress associated with them surfaced again.

It really felt like I was hanging by a thread, barely getting along.

Things seem to be a one-eighty now.

I'm very happy.

I'm satisfied, calm and excited that I reached my goal for my grades and I'm sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'll be starting nursing school next fall. Acceptance letters go out in two weeks so I'll post the results then.

Not only did I pass Logic with an A, but I'm the tutor for it now. It's a job that allows me to get study and homework time in. I also like to help people so it's good for doing that and I've made some great new friends as well. It's really been a blessing in disguise because I was really nervous at first that I either would hate tutoring or would suck at it.

I'm a very forgetful person but I've been more organized and, thankfully, haven't dropped the ball on anything major.

Now that this semester is wrapping up, I have to say it's been one of my best. I'm content more than ever because I know I'm headed in the career path that I'm meant to do. I loved having my first college art course and exploring my creative side that I've neglected.

This semester went by faster than any other but I feel like I've really grown. I've made new friends. Seriously, the first year Matt and I lived in our apartment we only had guests over one time and that was his sister and her fiance. Now I've got a new best friend that I talk to or hang out with daily and many other new friendships that I know will grow stronger.

Matt and mine's relationship is going strong. We celebrated our six year anniversary this past Saturday. Wow, six years! It doesn't seem like it's been that long. I don't really think about the past when he wasn't around. It's like we've always been together.

I didn't expect it to be this way, but this blog has been a great way for me to look back and realize what I've accomplished and endured the past few months.

I don't think I'll change the name of my blog yet, because I'm really not sure what to change it to. I guess it serves as a reminder that difficult and stressful times are common, but they do pass.

This is my 49th post! Because I just love giveaways, there will be a new giveaway for my 50th post later this week. Here's a little hint (probably quite obvious, but oh well)

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Tag You're It!

It seems I've been in a blogging rut lately. This tag from SHW was the perfect solution though.

1.Current obsession: The Twilight Saga, I still can't get enough!

2.Namesake: My mom says that a friend of hers in college was named Kebi and she liked it. My middle name, Cedawna, is inspired by my grandpa Don. My mom was a big daddy's girl.

3.Favorite Dinner: Grilled chicken wrapped in Prosciutto with melted fresh Mozzarella, Bruschetta, and Pesto on top. My mom makes it and I request it every time I'm back home at my parent's. Parmesan risotto and Oven-roasted asparagus with Hollendaise sauce are my favorite sides.

4.Favorite brand of jeans: Right now, I'm loving the Favorite Boyfriend Fit from American Eagle. They fit great in all the right places and at $40 bucks a pair, they're simply perfect!


5.Favorite tea flavor: TAZO Passion tea

6.Favorite owned jewelry: I love my Promise Rings from Matt, but I feel utterly naked if I'm not wearing my Fossil watch.


7.Favorite TV show: Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and Colbert Report, just to name a few.

8.Listening to:

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

9.Bathroom cabinet holds: Everything under the sun... it's like a jungle in there of hair sprays, creams, and gels, clippies, hair ties, floss, nail polish...

10.Childhood dream: I dreamed of being a Marine Biologist or Veterinarian. I promise someday, I'll swim with dolphins.

11.If I could go anywhere in the next hour, I would ... be in Italy with Melissa. I miss her a ton and want to go visit so bad, it would be awesome to visit Italy for a week, or two :)


This is a beautiful photo of Portofino from her last excursion. So gorgeous

12.Person I want to meet: Cheesy I know, but I'm still hoping and wishing I get chosen to visit Pioneer Woman at the Ranch. That woman can cook!

13.Five-Year-Plan: If things go perfectly my way: In two years, I'll have my ASN and RN and I want to get married that year. I'll work part-time while finishing my last year to get my BSN. A year or two after that, I want to have a nice home and some land and maybe a little sprout or two. I also want to get my Master's in Nursing sometime in there after I get my BSN.
However, if things go Matt's way: in three years we'll get married and then wait 2 years to have kids. I'm really trying to work on him to get married sooner but we both are insistent that when we tie the knot, we're on our own. No help at all from our parents, so we need to be doing well financially before any wedding bells will be ringing. Hopefully, he'll just have a good enough job to support the two of us before I'm completely done with school. A girl can hope...

14.Today is special because: I took my Speech final and that dreadful class is finally over!

15.Where I blog: Usually on the couch or sometimes while I'm at work tutoring.

16.My perfect day: Anything that involves spending some leisure time with my fam and Matt. I'm usually pretty simple

I tag:


Hannah Noel

Tara

Yours Truly

Such A Life

The Great Deluge

As in, the Great Flood.

That's what I'm experiencing today anyway. We've had some major flooding here and everything's pretty bad. I was scared out of my mind on the way to work at the school this morning. The rain was coming down so hard, visibility was slim to none. There was so much water on the roads too, above the curb on most roads. That's about 4-5 inches of water covering most of the city streets. I drive an '06 Honda Civic coupe so I'm pretty low to the ground. My car shook a couple of times like it was going to die. I kept mumbling and praying, "Please don't die, please don't die". Luckily I got around fine, but I saw several cars pulled over with their hoods popped open to dry out the engine.

There are firetrucks, city workers, and policemen all over town blocking off intersections.




This is the view coming down the hill from the school. Looks pretty ominous, no?


And this is, um a Baseball Field, not a pond.



I sure am glad I invested in my pair of Sperry's Topsiders for days such as this.
These are mine


But, I'm now in love with these

And these