DWTS

When I saw the line up for this season I really thought it was going to be lame.  I am surprised that I am really liking it though!
My favorite has been Kirstie Alley..she is so funny!  Especially her "Winning" comment.  I used to think that was stupid, but now it's makes me laugh (not sure what that says about me!)
Don't you wish you could learn dances like that-and look like that while dancing?!  I love to dance--but typically I like when the lighting is a bit dim and I'm surrounded by people! Speaking of- do you not hate it when you're at a wedding or something and people try to force you to dance!  I hate that!  It's like-if I'm not feelin' it just leave me alone!  And-if there is a circle where people take turns dancing or some sort of a conga line-you better believe I will be excusing myself to the ladies room to hide freshen up for a solid 20-30 minutes.  It does not make me comfortable to dance by myself in front of a group of people..they all expect you to do something swanky or exciting and it's just too much pressure!
But I digress.

Who's your favorite this season??

The Adjustment Bureau

This is what I always think of when I hear Matt Damon..Remember Team America? Despicable movie but to this day I still say Maatt Daaamon.  I'm ashamed of myself.  Mostly because I learned this weekend how much of a fox he is!

This weekend Pete and I saw The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.  We really didn't know what it was about, but we were bored so we went.  And girls-this movie is a dramatic love story!  I was so surprised!  There's enough action and story for your guy, and the romantic parts are there for the girls.  I don't want to give too much away because I think the movie is better if you don't realize what's happening at first.  It's a little bit suspenseful, a little bit sci-fi, some action, and of course the romance...definitely recommend it!!

a trip to New York

I am working on convincing Pete to take a trip with me to New York during my brief break from school in May.  He is resisting because he is lame.  But I am going to push it because I need need need a getaway.
I want to go shopping, take in a broadway show, go the Today show, see Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty.
Any of you travelers out there have any suggestions for what to see there??

the day we sutured pig's feets

Please excuse the poor photo quality-it was the one day of my life I didn't have my actual camera on me and these were taken from a friend's phone and then sent to me.  I literally just spent the last 45 minutes trying to figure out how to get those photos from my phone and on to my computer.

This was a couple weeks ago in class and we spent a couple hours learning our very first stitches (for most of us) on some pig's feet our instructors bought from the grocery store.  It was difficult at first to get the hang of it, but then it was kind of fun.  I can see why people like to crochet and knit.  Don't worry- I will not be taking up suturing pig's feet on my days off.

Sara, me, Amber with our handy work ("footy" work?!)

Practicing learning how to stitch



our "volunteers"



Suck it, Minnesota

March 23, 2011

Winter returns here in Minnesota after a couple weeks of 50 degrees and melting of the 80 inches of snow we already got this winter.

It is very painful.

Recap of my morning:

Woke up via alarm early after being out too late celebrating Blaire's golden birthday (photos to follow).

Looked out the window. Four-syllable curse.

Threw on some comfy clothes, dug out my snow boots, mittens, and winter jacket that I have been boycotting for the past month.

Attempted to brush the snow off my car, but my trunk was iced shut.

Dug through the garage for something to break the ice. Found a shovel and started wacking.

Clothes and hair are now soaking wet. Glasses are foggy and dripping. My mascara is running down my cheek.  The wind picks up.

Spent 20 minutes brushing off the snow and ice.

Backed out of my driveway to the end of my driveway, got stuck.  Went forward Got stuck trying to go forward.  Went sideways trying to go backwards.  Got stuck trying to go forward.

Shovelled around my car for 20 minutes. Repeat of the above.

My car is now at the end of my driveway, unable to go forward or reverse.  Underneath the several inches of snow was a blanket of ice.

Four-syllable curse x2.  Rhymes with smother-trucker.

Emailed my instructors to let them know the snow has finally got the best of me and I would be missing class this morning.

Commence blogging.

Last night we celebrated my co-worker friend Blaire's 25th birthday!

Jess, Becca (who is joining the DNP program next year!), Blaire-the birthday girl

Brittney, Blizzard, Me

me + the birthday girl

a fun girls night :)

I was really dragging about going out after the long day I had in clinic yesterday, but sometimes your body needs rest, and sometimes your soul needs some time with the girls!

Day 12 without coffee

I am holding strong on my Lent promise this year and am still without coffee.  The first full 7 days were pure misery as I went through caffeine withdrawals.  But then one morning I just woke up-back to normal and feeling fine.  Now it is just the psychological desire to drink some coffee while I get caught up on my blogs and emails this monday morning.  Tea really just isn't cutting it.  It's just not the same.  Only 28 more days to go and we will be reunited and together once more....

My weekend was uneventful, which was good.  I worked on Saturday and had a busy, but good shift.  Working as an RN and learning how to be an NP kind of makes my roles blur a little bit.  At the clinic when I'm trying to do NP stuff, I'm all set to make phone calls and administer vaccinations, and my preceptor says to tell the nurse to do it.  And then when I'm at work I have to remind myself that I need to get an order from the physician or NP before I can order consults and labs, etc....It can be a slippery slope so I try to watch myself!
We are in week 10 out of 16 for the semester so I am pumped.  We only get a short break before we start summer classes though, but I want this semester under my belt.  Clinicals are going well.  I feel like I'm getting dumber because there's so much more that I don't know, but I'm becoming a lot more comfortable in the NP role.  And I'm surprised at how much I am loving OB/GYN and feeling those babies swim around while I try to pick up their heart tones!  I could not do OB all day every day, but it's fun to have it in the mix and not feel so scared about it anymore.
Comparing my work in the clinic versus my work in the hospital as a nurse, I am starting to feel like this is why I went in to nursing.  I didn't know it before, but being the NP is what I was hoping for.  I love that I am able to talk to my patients and educate them and get a chance to actually think about what is going on instead of how chaotic the hospital can be sometimes.  I know I have so much more to learn but I'm excited at the direction I am going with it.
Now with that being said, I better get started on my busy week....

getting to know YOU. a link-up.

Questions and link up courtesy of Keely's blog! Click the button below to join.1. if you won the title of miss america, what would your platform be? can I do empowering the people of the world to take responsibility for their personal health?

2. outdoorsy or indoorsy? a little o'both. if the weather is tolerable I love to be outside.  Especially in the sun, on a beach, with my ipod or a book.  In the winter, I'd prefer the temps to be around the 20's.  Cold enough for snow, but warm enough for a few hours of sledding or snowboarding.

3. pajama's out in public..classy or tres tacky? Comfort is the ultimate form of class, in my opinion (says the girl who has been living in her yoga pants for the past several weeks).

4. what's your favorite room in your house? My favorite place has always been my bed. I looooove getting new sheets or pillows or a duvet color and to give it a makeover and make it feel sort of luxurious.  You spend a major chunk of your life in bed-you should invest in it a little!

5. nook, kindle, or book? Real book with paper pages. After all this online grad school stuff I have really learned to enjoy reading from an actual book and not on a screen.

6. would you rather wear the same outfit for a week or not brush your teeth for a week? Definitely wear the same outfit for a week.  I usually rewear a lot of my clothes before washing them (within reason) so I don't think that would be as gross as plaque build-up and morning breath all day long.

7. what's your favorite blog at the moment? I have sooooo many to choose from, but here a few of my daily favorites: Life on a stick, REAL FAT, Live.Love.Laugh. Heart on Homestead, and legally lovely; just to name a few, and in no particular order!

8. lately i've been daydreaming about.........? Having my very own house.  I've lived on my own, in an apartment for a few years when I graduated from nursing school, but I moved back in with my parents for the duration of grad school.  This way I can focus on taking on a full class load and not worry so much about work and paying the bills.  It's been awesome, but I miss having my own space and quiet time-what with my my parents, two sisters, and my 18 month old nephew all here all.the.time. ALLTHETIME.

I googled 'rich people houses' and found the perfect backyard for my future home!

I think she's been to my nail salon....

a non-St. Patrick's day post....

Unless we are celebrating the Swayze type....

I have not been able to watch the entire length of Dirty Dancing or any part of Ghost since he died.  sadface.

Anyhow, everyone is wearing green today, including me even though I'm only Irish by association.  I also do not drink beer (and would not drink it green) and I would rather starve than eat corned beef and cabbage-YUCKUMS.  Plus, I feel bad for the poor dogs who are dyed completely green on this day.

I had an unexpected half day at clinical (in which I saw 5 patients by myself and pretty much ran the show-go me!) and so I have some extra time.  However, I have absolutely no desire to workout.  Especially since Abbie gave me a brutal new strength workout for the next month.  I've been postponing doing it on my own since she worked me in to the ground on monday.

The good news:  It is finally summer here in Minnesota!  We are well in to the low 50's and have even seen bits of sunshine.  I am breaking out my flip flops.

Lastly, on this very random post-I need help from all you creative folk out there, if you have any suggestions for me.  If you don't want to read about my boring school stuff, stop here and have a great day!

For those of you still with me: I need your advice.  For my DNP capstone project, my goal is to improve resources/information/education for parents diagnosed with cancer so they are getting support for their kids.  I'm doing this at just one clinic to see how it goes.  I've been putting together book lists, websites, booklets, and brochures that I want all patients (who have kids/grandkids) to be given when they are diagnosed.  My problem is this: How do I package all this info so that they actually want to look through it?  I don't want it to become just another pile of papers they are too overwhelmed to look at.  I was originally going to put together a folder of stuff but I'm not sure that'll work.
So I'm stuck.  Any thoughts out there from you marketing/advertising/unprofessionally fabulous people out there would be spectacular!

How come none of you guys are posting about the Bachelor?!

Did you guys see the finale last night?

I got together with blizzard & brittney (my coworker girls) for our weekly Bachelor night.

We were BEYOND excited that Brad picked Emily.  I thought the proposal was sooo sweet and he seemed so in love with her!

My high from a delusionally ignorant fairytale romance on the tv before me was quickly fizzled when I watched After the Final Rose.

We learned that they are having struggles as a couple and already broke up once.  They were almost going to have their wedding that night in Anguilla (would that not have been amazing??) but Emily is being cautious (and probably rightly so).  They are not living together and she is not ready to get married.  But they did say they are still engaged.

Call me naive or a hopeless romantic or just plain dumb, but I was pretty disappointed.

But my wise friend Blaire (blizzard) said it best when she stated that she liked that it wasn't a perfect relationship or outcome because it made it more like a real life thing.

But I wanted to see them get married and be in love and happy and perfect.

Isn't that what we all want for ourselves too?



What did you guys think of them??

Let this be a warning to all you caffeine addicts out there-

First of all, I'd like to preface this post with saying that some of this might be TMI for some of you.  If you like that sort of thing, read on...

So like I mentioned last week, I decided to give up coffee for Lent this year.  I did not plan in advance for this so I just quit, last wednesday, without weaning myself down or anything.
Part of the reason I wanted to quit coffee was because I think it's important for me to practice what I preach.  I tell sooo many of patients who are having issues with anxiety or stress or sleeping habits that they should cut their caffeine intake and then I leave the room to go chart on them and drink my own coffee.
Of course, being in grad school I have issues with anxiety, stress, and sleeping habits.  But my coffee was the only thing keeping me together. And I truly did not realize how dependent I was on it until I gave it up.

I am not kidding you-I have been miserable since I quit.  My body was used to 2-4 cups of coffee every single day for the past 2 years and now it's pissed.  I whole heartedly recommend that you wean yourself down rather than quitting completely, otherwise you might be experiencing:

• Massive, continuous, throbbing headaches. Usually rated a 6-8/10 on the pain scale.  Ibuprofen helps.  So does sleep and dark, quiet rooms.
• Emotional instability. Irritability similar in severity to that time of the month. You will yell at your boyfriend for moving your mugs to a different spot in the kitchen.
• Extreme fatigue.  Extremely extreme fatigue.  The upside is that I believe I am getting caught up on all my missed sleep for the past 5 years.  For someone who normally hates naps and has trouble sleeping at night, I have been regularly taking 2 hour naps in the afternoons followed by 8-10 hours of sleep at night.
• Constipation.  Coffee can act as a laxative for some people.  Drink lots of water during this time.
• Spotting.  You girls know what I mean by this.  I don't have much explanation for this one but I think I will do some research.  My guess it's just my body adjusting to the shock.
• Mental fogginess.  I never claimed to be witty, but seriously, I have been a little clueless.  Forgetting things and dropping things and asking Pete why all the officers in the movie we were watching were named 'Marshall'.  I miss my stimulant.

the world makes me sad

So Pete & I argue sometimes because I love to watch the news and he hates it.  I watch it in the morning, and ideally, again at 5, 6, & 10pm.  I'm not sure why.  I think I just like to feel connected to what's going on in the world around me.  I generally feel a little lost when I've spent days without catching a newscast.
But lately it seems like the news really just drags me down.  Between the devastating natural disasters we're all learning about today in Japan and the surrounding areas, and the drama in the middle east and africa, I can't even express a measurement of how lucky I am to be here in Minnesota, safe and warm and well fed (a little too well fed actually-this is America after all).
And I will just leave it at that before I go into to how "miserable" I have been without coffee this week.  It is nothing compared to losing your home or feeling unsafe in the world around you.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

just a little reminder-

You should not go to the clinic and ask the NP student out to the club when you're there for an STD check.

True story.  But I had to laugh.

On that note-tomorrow is the first day of Lent.  For those of you that participate, you know that each year you are to pick one of your favorite things (or vices) to sacrifice for 40 days and 40 nights (remember that movie? I used to lurrvv on Josh Hartnett-I even gave him my phone number once. That's a different story for a different time).
Anyways, I've been going back and forth on what I want to give up this year and I was almost going to just not do it for the first time ever.  Last year I gave up completely on all sweets.  It was the hardest thing I had ever done but I made it.  It sounds so stupid, but it was a pretty big deal for me!  I've only failed once.  It was the year I gave up "unnecessary" shopping.  Literally, about 3 weeks in I had a major shopping meltdown at Target and spent like $250 in 10 minutes.  It felt so good.  And I didn't feel bad.  But it kind of makes me feel bad that I didn't feel bad.  But anyhow, I knew that was out of the question.

So today I finally decided.
I'm going to (try) to give up my precious coffee.  I know that it's crazy which means I have to do it.  And I've been wanting to cut back and just haven't made myself do it yet.  And a big part of me really doesn't want to give it up.  Like really really really.  Even for just 40 days.  But I can do it.  I can drink tea.  But please note-if this blog turns in to posts about setting stuff on fire or cutting up pillows, you will know why.

miscellany monday: crabby edition

{1}. For the past 2 weeks, I've been +2lbs on the damn scale.

damn scale.

{2}. Snow continues to be a nuisance here in minnesota.  We got some more last night, and we're expecting another storm tomorrow.  I've got my rain boots all ready for the big thaw 'n' flood with our record snow fall this year, but at this rate I'm thinking I won't be wearing them until about July.

{3}.  I have a very busy week ahead with clinic tuesday & thursday, plus classes wednesday, friday and saturday.  Between gas prices and the cost of parking at the University of Minnesota, it is likely I will be out some cash-money with nothing to show for it.

{4}.  Last week in clinic I missed some subtle crackles that lead to a pneumonia diagnosis, instead of the bronchitis I was leaning towards.  It freaked me out and so I got a beautiful new stethoscope. 

I wasn't sure if I could blame my $40 stethoscope I've had since my undergrad nursing school for my lung sound discrepancy, but when I tried out this beauty at work this weekend-I was a changed woman.  The sound quality is amazing.

For those of you wondering-this is the Littmann Cardiology III (in plum) and it is a pretty spectacular piece of equipment.

{5}. Today I work out with Abbie (my trainer/dietician at Lifetime) and I don't want to tell her I've gained 2lbs.  But something isn't right because I've been so much more consistent with working out and following my eating plan! poutface! 

{6}. I think I deserve a massage and with the SpaFinder gift card I still have from Christmas (Thank you Uncle George & Aunt Shirley!!), I am planning on making myself an appointment very soon!

{7}. Guess what?

I am over half way through Spring semester!!

I can hardly believe in just one short (seemingly very long) year, I will be getting ready to graduate with my doctorate!

Ok, enough complaining this Monday.  This week will be nothing but a distant memory soon enough and I promise some more positivity very soon!

{fill in the blank} friday

Linking up with the little things we do for {fill in the blank friday}

1. The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is 'haha' in texts or comments. I'm not sure what I overuse in real life though? Probably something dorky like 'okie dokie.'

2. Today I am thankful for one day to do as I please when I please.  I have a day to myself to get caught up on school work, my favorite shows, hit the gym, and hopefully take care of my trolly toenails!  I am one of those people that needs time to myself every once in a while to hide out and recharge.

3. My best friend is someone that would be my partner in crime no matter what. I don't count Pete as my best friend, because he's my boyfriend and that's just different.  I still haven't gotten over the fall out between my former best friend and I a couple years ago.  I still have the most spectacular best friends ever, but I'm not sure I have one go-to girl anymore. 

4. A quirky thing about me is I have a thing with textures.  It's mainly something that affects what I eat (I absolutely haaate fruits in yogurt or jello, or mushy avocado), but it's also how I pick out clothes and blankets.  It's gotta feel good!

5. This weekend I am kind of stressing about having to work but I'm hoping it will be a low key weekend anyhow.

6. Something that worries me is something happening to my nephew Orrin or him growing up and having troubles in life.  I just can't stand to think of him being unhappy and sometimes it keeps me up at night.  I hate to think how overprotective and overemotional I'm going to be when it comes to my own kids.

7. On my night stand you would find my lamps, some pictures, some candles, books/mags that I read before bed, my alarm clock and cell phone charge, and of course-my baby sound machine that helps me sleep.

Locker Room and Gym Etiquette

Let's have a little talk you guys.  I know none of you are rude or weird at the gym, but apparently the one I go to claims membership from Minnesota's most perplexing people.  I will start off by saying that I go to Lifetime and I love it there.  The classes are fun, Abbie (my trainer) has been super knowledgeable, and the monthly cost is affordable for me.  It can get a little crowded at times and that's usually when I have my wtf moments.  So here's a little list of actual things I have experienced that drive me crazy at the gym so you know what not to do.

1.  Please do not jump rope in the middle of the stretching area.  I'm trying to foam roller my iliotibial bands but I need to be clear of the 6 foot danger zone surrounding you and your flying sweat.  There's a place for jump roping, and it was in the 3rd grade.

2.  If I put down a mat on the floor along with a bosu and/or free weights, I'm not setting it for you or your convenience.  It's because I'm using them.  And if I walk 18 inches away to get some water, it doesn't mean the equipment I set up is all free game for you to then use.  And also, if you do start to use my stuff and I re-set up more equipment, do not just leave all that stuff in the middle of the floor when you're done with it.  Do you see other people leaving equipment out without ever putting it back? nope, you don't.  Because it ain't right!  (and that means you old lady who works out with clip-on earrings and a sweatshirt)

3. This is a run-off from rant #2- If you're going to take the equipment I set up, please use it instead of just taking it away.  This is directed at the man this morning who took my step-up box I was doing split lunges on, brought it all the way down to the scary part of the weights area (where all the big, sweaty guys huff'n'puff), and then used it as a table for his 3-ring binder and water bottle.

4. Don't set up all your stuff and mat right in front of a machine or other equipment.  It's annoying to you when I have to reach around you to get stuff, and it's a little scary for me to have to squeeze around you while you're flailing about with heavy weights.

5.  Please don't stare at me when I'm struggling to do 10 on-my-toes push-ups with planks.  I know I'm sweating and turning a scary color of red, but I already feel like an idiot without your abs in my periphery.

6. Please wear proper attire when working out.  And an adequate amount of deodorant.

7.  Please, please, please wipe off the treadmill after you wipe your forehead clean of sweat with your hands then rub it all over the machine. 

8.  Please avoid excessive naked-ness in the locker room.  There are a plethora of towels available for a reason.  It really is unnecessary for you to blow dry your hair topless and in your thong for 20 minutes.  Unnecessary. And uncomfortable.  Especially when you have clearly been augmented and pierced.

9. You do not need the entire area of the bench for all your stuff.  Share the space and keep your dirty underwear from flying near my hairbrush please.

Is that too much to ask?