Road Trip

My time in Modesto is finally over! I have been here since June and I think it's time to go home. I have loved my time here working at Lifeouch, spending time with my aunt, taking up an art class with my grandma, training for the 1/2 marathon, working on my scrapbook and just enjoying what felt like a stay-in vacation. But I really do want to go home. I miss my family and my house and my cheeto puff. I am leaving for a drive down to san diego to spend some time with caitlin, then I'll finish the drive to Arizona. It will be a long drive, but I will have the best company with me for the second part of the drive (aka Jeffrey).

Last week I turned in my packet for school. Everything is completed, ordered and ready to go! I haven't given much thought about school lately, just been focusing on my running. It's been a struggle this time to put my 100% into training. I had the time, but didn't have the energy or motivation. I wish I would have trained a little harder, but sunday is almost here and I'm just going to give it everything I have. Rumor has it   that it is going to rain on sunday (or says weather.com). That should be interesting. I've never ran 13 miles in the rain. I'm going to have to wear pants and a sweatshirt while I run so my muscles stay warm, and I don't like wearing so many layers. The less the better!

Growing Up

I can't believe I start nursing school in 4 months! It seems so grown up to be starting nursing school and getting ready to have a career. I still feel like I'm still a child and learning the ways of the world. It's kind of embarrassing to admit this, but yesterday I went to the doctor's office by myself for the first time. I went to get my physical to get everything squared away for school and everything went pretty smoothly, but I was nervous. haha.

When I walked into the doctor's office I had some weird sense of deja vu. Then, when I was walking up the stairs I realized that I was in the same building my pediatrician used to be in years ago. The carpet, the lighting, and even the smell was the same. So this experience brought me back to my childhood, reminding myself I'm not ready for school.

My arm is still a bit sore from my flu vaccination and I have to get my TB test checked tomorrow. Apparently I have to get a 2-step TB test. I thought that's that they all were. The first step -  you get the injection. The second step - you get it checked. Well I was completely wrong. A 2-step TB test is getting the test done twice. Why on earth would you need to get it done twice? I guess I should have asked the doctor, but I was just puzzled. He just said it's the new thing. I feel like getting shots for everything is the new thing. Kids don't even get the chicken pox anymore, just the vaccine. So now I'm just waiting for some results and hopefully my major paperwork will be complete.

I ordered one of my nursing books today. It's called Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring by Jean Watson. They recommended to start reading this book early because it is difficult to follow. Seems like a simple title to me, but I'll find out when I get it.

So the next step will be to order my Concordia student scrubs and take my CPR class online. I'm getting excited!

Oh goodness...

As you can see, my writing has been lacking the past couple weeks. So I decided to catch up and write my little heart out about everything that has been going on lately. After 3 days of writing, I finally finished that much overdue post, but will not be posting it. It was erased accidentally when I was trying to edit. So as of right now I am currently annoyed and upset, and not in the mood to write. So here's the beyond simplified version of my life right now.

• Went down to Orange County for my nursing orientation a couple weeks ago
• Only working 2 days a week, which has left me with a numerous amount of free time
• I have been running everyday for my half marathon in November
• Not ready for summer to be over

Yes, I cried

Oh. My. Goodness. I am still in shock, but I am so excited to announce that I am a nursing student at Concordia University! After so much hard work, stressful planning and a rejection, I can  see my future ahead of me! I received an email on Thursday with the title in the subject line "Welcome to the Concordia ABSN Program." So before I even opened the email I knew the good news. I was sitting on the couch and turned my computer toward my aunt in shock saying, "I think I got into the program." Even though I knew I got in haha. She was so excited for me and gave me a hug. The email said that was accepted and should be getting a complete packet in the mail with more information (which I did that same day). I was so excited and started making my phone calls. All day I felt like I was in a dream like state. It didn't really hit me until the next morning, when I woke up crying because I was so happy. I feel so lucky to be accepted into a program, when sometimes it takes years for some people to get in. God has blessed me so much and I am so Thankful. So right now I'm ready to soak up everyday of this new adventure.

Feeling Good

I really need to update about my interview. After having anxiety for the entire week before, I am finally feeling good about this whole process. The morning of I got up at 5:30 (I definitely was not used to that) and made sure I was prepared for the day along with doing a devotion. When I got to Concordia, an ease actually came over me knowing I was in a familiar place. I can only imagine how other people felt just being in an unfamiliar place.
There were 6 groups of 6 of the prospective students, and we made rotations to 6 different interview panals. Lets hope the number 6's have nothing to do with it, haha. It did take the entire 4 hours, but went by pretty quickly. Everyone was very friendly and I walked out of there saying everything I wanted to say. So i'd say the interview went really well...in my eyes at least. Some questions they asked were
"Why do you want to be a nurse?"
"What would be your biggest challenge in the program?"
"What are some of your weaknesses and strengths?"
"How do you handle stress?"
"What are some skills you have that will carry into the program?"

I thought those were some pretty standard questions and everyone had something different to say. So it will be interesting to see what kind of nursing student they are looking for. Now I just have to wait for the final decision. I will hopefully hear the first week of August.
Until then.....

Interview

I received some news today that I was invited for an interview for Concordia's nursing program! They first told me over the phone that interviews would be held in the middle of July. So as the planner I am, I planned my summer around this interview, waiting and anticipating until I heard the news. The email stated that my interview would be on Thursday June 23. I had to read that over several times, thinking they must have got the wrong month! But no, the interview is in one week.

I am slowly getting excited about it, but I first had a slight panic attack. I am so busy this next week with Sara's wedding and work and I just freaked myself out. But I got a few days off of work and heading back down to socal on Wednesday. For my moral support, Jeff is coming down there with me to keep me calm and collect. No nervous break downs should happen, but he's there if I need him :) I don't feel mentally prepared quite yet, but hopefully with some good preparation and prayer I will feel ready. 

This goes to show that only God knows my plans and he has his arms wrapped around me as tight as can be. I plan yet another thing and he guides me in a different direction. Who knows what will happen next. I am really thankful for this opportunity that is came at the right time...God's time. 

Round 2

My application is in (again)! And I am in the running for the spring semester  of the accelerated nursing program at Concordia. The interview will be in mid July and final decisions with be in mid August.

Please send out a prayer.