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!!!

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

Ramblings

Apparently Jack Frost didn't get the notice that last week was the first day of Spring!
This is the front yard at my parent's house this past Saturday.

We got more than 6 inches there and nearby Tulsa got between 9-12 inches of snow!
And the best part of this crazy Oklahoma weather is the fact that today has been sunny and in the 60s, warm enough to only need a light jacket outside. I even saw several people wearing shorts and capris when I was at Target getting groceries. Crazy right?

This week promises to be busy. I've got a Microbiology exam and a Pharmacology test to study for. I also have to get an outline ready for my first persuasive speech, I'm doing it over donating blood. I'm a bit shy and hate speaking in front of people. I've managed to put Speech off for 3 years but had to face the music this semester. I'm doing good so far, but I still get hot and shaky when it gets to my turn each time I have to give a speech.

I'm sending off my partner's package for the Tea for Two apron swap in the morning. I'm totally on an apron kick these days, I just can't get enough!

I promised a garden update last week. Let's just say it's not looking too good. The ground is very moist and packed down super hard so it's been hell on Matt and the tiller to break the ground. The bracket that holds the gas tank on the tiller actually broke over Spring Break, oops! So, the garden has been put on hold. I'm actually not sure if it's worth the trouble and I'm thinking about just spending this year getting the ground perfectly ready for planting next Spring. There are tons of old garden spots at Matt's house that we could till up and put all my veggies in if I give up on my own garden.

Also, I've been trying to get some info about a CNA position at the hospital in my hometown. I got an email from the Nursing Supervisor and am waiting to see if I'll have to get my CNA license or can do on the job training. I'd love to work at the hospital this summer instead of in retail like I always have. I've got my fingers crossed!

How was your weekend???

-kcc

sleep deprivation induced grumpiness

I feel like I haven't posted in forever, and I haven't had too much time to read all the blogs that I love to keep up with. School has been crazy the past two weeks. It just seems like some big assignment or project has popped up in each of my six classes, and I'm having a hard time keeping up. I've been up until 2-3 a.m. the majority of the nights the past 2 weeks trying to finish homework. I have to fess up though, I usually don't start on my work until late, usually 7 or 8 in the evening, so that's the main reason why I'm up so late getting it all done.

I was up til 2:30 last night finishing up a study guide for my Pharmacology exam that's tomorrow. I woke up at 7:58 this morning. I'm supposed to be at work at 8.

So I scrubbed my face, brushed my teeth, and threw my hair up into a messy bun. I was out the door in 15 minutes! That's a huge record for me, I was impressed. Of course, once I got up to the school, the fatigue set in and I could barely keep my peepers open. It will probably be a repeat tonight; I've got to do an outline for a research project for my Art class, study for Pharm, finish up some Composition homework, and do some painting on my second project for Art Foundations.

Why am I on blogger right now???? This is probably the reason why I'm behind, Procrastination!

Now, on to some good news. (After spending five minutes telling you how super busy I am) I've signed up for a few swaps! I'm going to do two apron swaps that are due in March and April, so I'll be busy on my sewing machine during Spring Break come Mid-March. I have to incorporate vintage linens into one and the other is supposed to be a tea party themed apron. I'm excited to go rummaging through some antique shops to find the linens.

I also signed up for a Spring Stationary Swap that's being hosted by Lou Lou in Lilly. If you want to join, hurry on over because the deadline is this Friday. I love stationary and sending snail mail so this swap is perfect for me.

I also won my very first giveaway!!! It's a cookbook called Kissing and Cooking for Couples.


It's got some great date ideas and some yummy looking recipes. It was sponsored by Thrifty Jinxy's blog and I can't wait to crack it open and try out some of the recipes.

Speaking of recipes, I've got one of my favorites coming up tomorrow, it's called Easy Banana Cake.

Also, Whitney at Whitney Caroline Designs is giving away a super cute Monogrammed Note Board. Entries only accepted until tomorrow, so hurry on over. Also, check out her store, I'm quite smitten with her personalized travel cups.



Well, I'm out!
Talk to you ladies tomorrow. I've got to get my horrible to-do list done before I go insane from sleep-deprivation!

-kcc