A Better Week

This week was a much better week for me despite still having 3 tests. My tests went pretty well and I felt like, ok just 1 week at a time, I can do this. Monday was a great OB day at the hospital. I got to be a part of a patient's labor and delivery , something I hadn't done yet. Being at the hospital made everything that I've been studying so much more real to me. When I went home Monday afternoon, I felt like I was in a daze, maybe it was the birth or maybe it was having to be at the hospital at 6:45 am but I could seem to get the last couple of hours out of my head. The patient was getting angry and frustrated that it wasn't over yet and then all of the sudden, it was time for her to push and then the baby was born and a million things were happening at once! It was exciting and yet I felt like I was in a dream. I mean a year ago I wouldn't have imagined to be in the place that I was on Monday. It was an unforgettable experience that made me realise that nursing school, even though it's a huge challenge, is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Trust

Most of you don't know that I've kind of been having a hard semester. Last semester waa definitely hard for me, but this semester, I feel like I just can't get control of my grades. I started out studying like I did last semester, but the classes are different and I've had about 3 weeks of breaks including the snow and spring break. It's been difficult to keep focused and learn on my own to make up for all the missed classes. Last week I was feeling very discouraged. I wanted to quit but I kept going only because I've come so far. I kept thinking about how much more I could do to pull my grades up but then I read a friend's blog who also had a very discouraging situation. Here's part of what she wrote:

"I am clinging to Romans 8:28 which tells us that 'in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose'. And while driving home today I opened Beth Moore's new book to read this prayer... 'Lord, help me to learn how to hang on tight to You when my life is rocked by dramatic change. Empower me to trust You and not to panic or fight for control. Help me to stop confusing a change in my circumstances with a change in my security status. You are my security, O God. You are the one sure thing. When everything around me shakes, You are unshakeable. Use change to provoke what needs changing in me, Lord, and to increase my appreciation of the only One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever'. Wow. When I read that prayer I truly felt the Lord speaking to my heart. What an awesome comfort to know that He is unshakeable. This morning I had a harsh realization of how shaky and unpredictable my world can be. But God? He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!!!!"

Needless to say, I have once again been reminded by God of how great my need for him is, every day of every week, and not just the weeks that suck!

Spring Break

This past week I had spring break so I took the opportunity to go visit my sister, nephew (14 months), and her husband in Illinois. There's not too much going on in Streator, but it was nice to relax with them, watch HGTV, and teach Caleb how to smell candles. I hadn't seen them since August so Caleb had made some major changes such as standing and the beginnnings of walking and talking. I ended up watching him a couple of mornings while my sister was working so it was fun to have some one-on-one time with my nephew. We grew up with a pretty small extended family so my aunts always had a pretty big impact on us. Even though it looks like we'll be living far away for awhile, I hope we can still remain close. Caleb and his mom.
Caleb doing his I want to get so close to your face that I blind you thing.

Then this weekend I had a 1213 A reunion at Claire's new house near Harrisonburg. It was cute and it looked great from all the painting that she had recently done. We had a great time catching up and just relaxing together. Leaving on Sunday I knew that it was my birthday, but for some reason, it just didn't feel like my birthday this year. I have been dreading it for months but once it was here, it just flet like a normal day. Does that mean I can just skip it this year?

Claire, Natalie, Me, Liz

March Update for New Years Resolutions

If you recall in my January 1 post, I had a list of 10 resolutions for 2010. Let's see how they've been going:

1. Run in at least 1 race- I have a 10 mile race this Saturday so that should take care of that one.

2. Work out 3x a week- usually happends as long as my excercise class doesn't get cancelled.

3. Visit my sister, wherever she is- I'll be visiting her her next week in Streator, IL during my spring (haha) break. (I'll be sure to post about my trip)

4. Visit Amanda in Boston- no plans for that one yet

5. Blog at least twice a month- check (so far)

6. Go to Rehoboth beach with Sarah- no plans yet

7. Read 10 fun books- definitely haven't done any of that yet

8. Try one new recipe a month- check

9. Take Public Speaking :/- maybe this summer ?

10. Stop biting my nails! - this was a bad idea; should have been post cute pictures of cats:)

Some winter weather complaining and meal swapping

I haven't blogged in a little while I guess because I didn't really have anything to talk about unless you count complaining about the weather and the fact that in the past 2 weeks I've only had two classes. Well today was a nice full day of class, actually extended by a couple of hours to make up for all of the work we've missed. Not having class the last two weeks also means that I will probably have the worst week of the semester next week with 2 quizzes and 3 tests in 3 days.

Switching to something else, Saturday night, myself and 6 other girls from church swapped some meals. I brought 6 of the same thing and swapped it out for 1 from each of the other girls. I was really hesitant to do this since I'm pretty picky about what I don't like to eat (nothing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, or cream cheese for a short list). I was sure I would only be taking home 2 dinners because the rest would probably be tainted with ingredients I can't stand. But after careful inspection of the recipes, I saw to my surprise that all of them would work! Still, after I took them home, I was a little worried to try them since I hadn't made them myself and things always look different when they are cold in the fridge and when you heat them up (like soup). But so far the first two meals have been good and probably wouldn't have been things I would have tried to make myself. I guess this means I am in the process of moving out of my food comfort zone! Yikes!

Well it's been an interesting week. Last Friday Nicki and I completed a 7 mile run in 30 degree weather. Then the sky dumped a foot of snow on the ground and halted many things. I ended up not having class Monday and Tuesday but finally went to class today. Things are getting so messed up! We are supposed to get more snow tonight and tomorrow but hopefully I'll still be able to go to class come Monday. It doesn't look like we'll be able to get a weekend run in though :(

First Day

Today was my first day of class of the Spring semester. I started off the day by going to the hospital in Radford that I'll be doing clinicals in this semester for OB. We had a 2 hour orientation of the documentation program that they use. There was a lot of information to get to know, but it was also really cool how much information will be right at my fingertips on each patient. After that my teacher took us on a little tour of the birthing wing of the hospital. Then I had to go to school to do a checkoff (catheters). Not too fun, but I'm glad it's over with! Tomorrow I'll have an actual day of "class."

I made Minestrone Soup last night. It's really good and very healthy. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 medium cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups finely chopped yellow onions (2 small)
1 cup diced celery (2 medium stalks)
1 cup diced carrots (2 medium)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme leaves
1 can (15 oz) Progresso® cannellini beans, drained
1 1/2 cups undrained Progresso® diced tomatoes (half of a 28-oz can)
4 cups diced green or yellow zucchini (5 small)
1 cup uncooked tubetti pasta or other small tube pasta (4 oz)
2 cartons (32 oz each) Progresso® reduced-sodium chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:
In 6-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until garlic begins to brown. Stir in onions, celery and carrots; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
Stir in rosemary, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, pasta and broth; heat to boiling. Reduce heat.
Cover; simmer about 20 minutes or until pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with cheese.
10 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each)