Fluent Sarcasm

I SHOULD be doing something else…like, oh, say STUDYING for my critical care final. But I wanted to say hi. So, hi.
God is doing SO much in my life and in the lives of those around me and I’m SO excited. I’m pretty fired up, haven’t felt this way since high school, which is sad. I’m really praying and thinking about ways I can serve others once I’ve graduated. I really want to get into Habitat for Humanity, maybe volunteer at a clinic that serves the poor and maybe some international work. I know it sounds like I’m getting WAY ahead of myself, but I am praying about these things and trying to be smart. I just want to keep up the enthusiasm and think I’ve wasted enough time focusing on myself. I know there is A REASON why I am becoming a nurse, and I don’t want to waste this calling. There is nothing in the world like serving God and the people He loves, I want to do it ALL the time!
Okay back to studying!

LOVE!

Tweet this!

Okay I’ve never been one to post lyrics on my blog. And by “never” I mean less than 5 times (I think) since the blog’s inception.
But I just can’t get this song out of my head and, honestly, I don’t want to. Somedays on the way to or from school, I will listen to it 5 times in a row.
I feel that the theme of “beauty from ashes” is one that has always resonated with me. To know that God takes my dirtiest, ugliest places and makes them beautiful and clean, well, it’s humbling and exhiliarating.
So I will leave you with two lines and encourage you to find this song and listen to it.

“But you called me beautiful
when you saw my shame”

Nichole Nordeman

LOVE!

Tweet this!

Hey guys,
Sorry for the dry spells, it’s been quite busy ’round these here parts. As I mentioned before my BFF Cecilia was here two weekends ago. There was much fun had by all, as expected. It does my soul GOOD to have that girl around. Love you!
Anyhoo, after she left (NOOOO) I interviewed at Liberty Hospital for a job. Now you may remember that I have a scholarship/job agreement with LH, so you could say it was a foregone conclusion that I obtain gainful employment there after graduation. Still there is interviewing, resumes, applications, and all of the lovely details involved with getting a job. I interviewed with 4 nurse managers and the next day learned I got a job! I really hit it off with the nurse manager I will be working for and I’m QUITE excited. It’s nice to know I already like my boss!

Secondly God has been teaching me SO much. Our pastor has been preaching on the Beatitudes and it’s amazing! Last weekend was “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Our pastor talked about how the symbol for the church has become the smiley face, instead of the cross. He mentioned how Christians believe they should be happy all the time, but we don’t have to be. There are times when we will mourn, and we are no less testifying to the cause of Christ when we do this. It made me start thinking about being single (I KNOW, THIS TOPIC AGAIN!!!) and how I am operating under the assumption that I am supposed to be THRILLED about BEING SINGLE! all the time. But, pshhh, PULEASE, I am not thrilled about it 24/7. Honestly, sometimes I mourn my singlehood. Most of the time I love it, I love that I only have to get health insurance coverage for one, that I will eventually be able to buy myself a car with my own money, and that I can go out dancin’ with my girl in DC whenever I want (or have the time and money to fly out there)! But there is nothing wrong with mourning being single. And, once I am not single, I am sure there will be times when I”ll be ABSOLUTELY giddy about marriage and my husband. I am sure there will be times when I’ll be wondering why I EVER didn’t like being single, when I’m getting up every two hours to feed my baby or my husband left the seat up for the ZILLIONTH time. The important thing is that I praise God for every second of my life, whether I’m mourning or dancing! He is my Hope!

Shall I rename the blog “fluent sarcasm with a bit of proselytizaiton?”

LOVE!

Tweet this!

So my BFF Cecilia is here so this will be brief.

Yesterday was my first day of critical care clinical and I. LOVED. IT! I was actual sad when it was time to leave, which makes the next 4 weeks very exciting for me. And to think, I was so afraid and intimidated by critical care!

CECILIA IS HERE! Did I menion that? We’re having a blast just being us and hanging out and hatin’ on Valentine’s Day. Though I can’t truly hate it because I get chocolate and have my perpetual valentine (C!) here! We got to hang with Kellykins today! Tomorrow we plan on watching love-stories-gone-awry, such at Bridget Jones, Legally Blonde (the beginning) and maybe some musicals, if I’m lucky!

sidenote: Weren’t those whales at the Olympic Opening Ceremony AMAZING?!?! I need that set-up in my room!!! I wouldn’t mind the giant polar bear either!

LOVE!

Tweet this!

Okay peeps, ready for the landmark result? My primary love language is *drumroll* …..quality time! According to the quiz, which is HARD by the way(!), if you want me to feel loved, you need to come on over and have a lil chat with me. It’s interesting because I really thought it would say my language is “acts of service”. The book talks about figuring out your language by considering what you complain most about and I definitely (at least mentally) complain most about acts of service. To be fair, acts of service did come in second!
Today was my clinical orientation for my critical care class and I am really excited. I was a little hesitant because I don’t work so well under pressure but after touring 5 (!!) ICUs at KU as well as the ER, I’m pumped! I may get to see a BRAIN while it’s still in a living person! Woo!
Okay I probably should start studying for my critical care midterm on Monday, eek!

LOVE!

Tweet this!

That subject is for you “broseph” who berated me for an entire paragraph then kindly added your affection with two small words.

So I am here. I should have written more often before this week because I had a lot of free time. January-term and Community Health turned out to be pretty easy-going. In retrospect, it would have behooved me to have oh, studied, for the FOUR exams this week or the NCLEX-RN or read ahead in my textbooks. But no. I will say that I reorganized our canned goods shelves in the garage and it felt way better than is normal.
I’ve made a couple changes in my life, actually I’m working on week three of said changes. I re-joined (rejoined?) Weight Watchers, thanks to two nursing friends (hi Julie!) and the accountability they provide. I can’t believe I just admitted on the internet that I am trying to lose weight. Your encouragement would be greatly appreciated. God is teaching me so much through this process and I couldn’t do it without Him. As of this morning, I’ve lost 10.5 pounds. woo. I’m quite excited!
God is teaching me so much about love and relationships! I’m just soaking it all in. I’m currently reading “The 5 Love Languages: Singles Edition” and it’s SO good! Let me know what your love language is so I can love you like you want! I haven’t taken the quiz yet so I don’t know what mine is/are. I took the quiz once a while ago and it came up that my love language was touch. Which, as Kelly pointed out, is weird because I don’t like people to touch me (strangers, in crowds!) and have a thing about clinginess. I’ll let you know what my results come out as.
I am in the process of applying for my job at Liberty Hospital. We’ll see where God puts me. I am so excited about the multitude of options facing me right now. I honestly feel like the world is mine for the taking and I could do anything (well anything nursing) and go anywhere I want. This is it, this is my life. And I couldn’t be more excited!
Okay enough gushing, I need to study.
I hope you all keep reading even though I only update “once a month”.
LOVE!

Tweet this!

So this week and next week are January term or “Cardinal Term” as good ole WJC. We have Community Health, which encompasses quite a lot, like Home Health, Hospice, Case Management and drumroll please…..school nursing.
My days playing school nurse were Tuesday and Wednesday. School was cancelled Wednesday (and Thursday and Friday), so Tuesday was my only shot. It was GREAT! I forgot how cute elementary school kids are. Here are some funny conversations we had:

cute first grade boy gingerly holding his arm which is barely scratched: I cut myself.
nurse: What happened?
cutey: Well, I don’t remember but it’s bleeding pretty bad.
nurse: Did you maybe scratch it on something?
cutey: Maybe. It’s bleeding pretty bad. I’ve had two medium drops of blood. (concern in voice).
nurse: oh.

Obviously we needed to hook up a blood transfusion STAT. ha

boy with headache: Hey my head hurts.
nurse: when did it start hurting?
boy: Well, it was hurting this morning and I took some medicine.
nurse: What medicine did you take?
boy:I don’t know.
nurse: Who gave it to you?
boy: My dad.
nurse:Okay let me call your father and see what he says. (calls). It’s going to voicemail.
boy: Oh then he is in California (!)
nurse: oh, well since I don’t know what you took, why don’t you lay down and rest for a while.
boy: okay (lays down for seriously 5 seconds, then gets up). Well it’s my recess right now, sooo
nurse: You’re feeling better?
boy: yeah.
nurse: Okay you can go.

I love it!

LOVE!

Tweet this!

Or “rule” really. That rule being that I don’t post until someone has commented on my last post. But, people, it’s NEW YEAR’S EVE and everyone knows this gives you a free pass to get straight up crazy (straight up crazy? Is that an oxymoron?)!! I’m definitely feeling the need for catharsis via “let’s recap 2009 as well as the last decade” on my lovely blog!
First and craziest, I cannot believe I am old enough to remember the last DECADE and remember it well at that. I can probably remember the last two decades actually. EEK! As I tweeted earlier, 10 years ago today I was doing the exact same thing I am doing right now. Hanging out on Sanibel, wishing for something exciting to do with anyone under the age of 40 (no offense dad, mom and Gramps), drinking WAY too much sparkling grape juice, and most likely spending inordinate amounts of time on the Nokia cell phone I got for Christmas. I was a sophomore in high school, probably wondering why NO one “gets me” and desperately wishing for a boyfriend. Oh 16, what a beautiful age. Anywho, let’s move onto the nitty-gritty.

Top 10s of the last decade (in no particular order):
1. Graduating high school
2. Two trips to Europe
3. Trip to Australia
4. Trip to NYC (and seeing Wicked!)
5. My four blessed years at John Brown, where I met some pretty awesome people
6. Living in DC and near C for a year and half (DC is forever changed!)
7. Personal growth. Now before you start moaning about the cliche and throw your old self-help books at me, listen! It’s true. Honestly, sometimes I think about who I was 10 years ago, 7 years ago and last year and I am SO embarassed at things I did or said. I can’t claim any of this growth, however, it’s all by God’s merciful and kind hand!
8. Getting accepted into nursing school. Though in the midst of it I easily forget, God made a way for me, He opened so many doors for this and I’m really thankful and excited!
9. The safety and good health of my family. The past decade has really taught me to NEVER, EVER take these two precious things for granted. Each day is a gift! As is each kidney!
10. Knowing that my Lord has never forsaken nor left my side. His goodness never ends!!

Okay, I intended to do a “Top 10 of 2009″ but I’m all out of ideas! How about top 10 pictures? Yes?

Okay, started the year here. Love this photo because this is what I imagine God’s love is, rays of sunshine falling on us.

Love this. That’s it.

My hometown, Kansas City.

Backyard wonderland.

My best lil guy, well within 60 miles. I have some best guys in Colorado too, just don’t get to see them or photograph them very often! I’ve loved getting to be a part of his precious life and family!

My BEST GIRL! Well, my best furry, four-legged girl! haha. Paisley has been such a blessing and a great addition to our family! I love her dearly.

Speaking of furry best friends! Denali has been a great addition to this family too! I took a really good picture of him but I feel this one adequately puts together what D means to us and Alex.

KELLY CAME HOME! YAYAYAY! And here she is at my birthday celebration! Joy!

I flew to surprise C in DC. “Awesomeness” sums it up. I love that you can tell how excited we still are when this photo was taken!

My family. Laughing. Doesn’t get much better than this.

Okay. That took longer than I thought. I should be moseying to bed as I’m getting up at 6 (6!!) to start the drive home tomorrow. I’m purposely ignoring how depressing this could potentially be because! look up! God has blessed me beyond belief!

Happy New Year!
LOVE!

Tweet this!

I suppose I will just gloss over that fact that I got one, one-worded comment on a post I wrote ABOUT SEEING JESUS IN MY ROOM! This is me, glossing.

My glorious vacation here in Sanibel is coming to a close. Please hold while I cry like a little girl. Okay, back. It’s been really great, and honestly, the Lord has blessed me so much. While I was looking forward to coming to paradise (chuh), I was sad (seriously sad) that I’d have no hip young things to chill with this year. Shortly after we arrived, we found out my cousin Tim would be coming down (for something like 36 hours)! Whoopee! THEN! my cousin Grace decided she would mosey on down too (for barely over 48 hours)! Much excitement ensued, as well as much traveling to the airport, whew. And then, much fun occurred. MUCH. I don’t know how, but sometimes I forget what a hoot (yes, hoot) my cousins are! I miss them!
Okay, okay, enough talking, here are some photos for your delightment.

Paisley was quite excited at all the Christmas merriment!

Grace and me out to eat. There was a guy juggling glow-in-the-dark bowling pins and I was hoping we could get him in the background, but alas it didn’t work out.

try not to be jealous of my awesome tan.

The three cousins! It’s unfortunate that I showered JUST before we went out. Obviously a hott look for me.

Gramps with three of his grandkiddos! Have you ever seen such a look of elatement on a grandparent’s face?

superfluous sunset photograph

Wish you were here!

LOVE!

Tweet this!

I know, I know, yall were probably thinking, “Mandy’s going on vacation, I bet she updates practically EVERY day.” Well JOKE’S ON YOU! haha. Well, technically I’ve only had two days of vacation, as I was driving the first three days. So, here I am, writing on the second day, and that ain’t bad, so be thankful for WHAT YOU GET! I’m so full of Christmas cheer! Thus all the CAPITAL LETTERS.
As for the driving, it was LOOOONG, and I swear Atlanta drivers are trying to kill me. I also found that’s it not so easy to find (clean) hotels that accomodate pets. Another highlight of the trip was when I woke up one night and SWORE Jesus was in our room. Before you go believing I’m super holy, so much so that I am having a sacred vision, please know that I’m crazy in the middle of the night. C-R-A-Z-Y. So yeah, that was interesting. Turns out it was just the lamp shade. Make of that what you will.
The last two days actually on the island have been amazing. Paisley is such a water puppy! Which means she is truly with the right family, as we are all “water babies”.

Today I (drumroll please) got a massage. It was life-changing. MMMM. I’m hoping to get another next week!
Ended the day with my best girl (dog) watching the sun set.

Then dinner at Lazy Flamingo with strangers.

Hope your holidays are lovely!

LOVE!

Tweet this!