Thursday, December 01, 2005

Decisions About the Future!!!

Well I made a decision today that after I graduate from my nursing program, if I can't get into medical school I will be moving to either Southern Ontario, BC, or to the USA. Maybe even just a small Northern town where everything is within walking distance. Since my car accident in 2003, I just can't handle our Northern winters anymore. Driving yesterday was absolutely insane - first the downpour of rain we got, which froze glazing everything over, then the dumping of snow on top. Thankfully I spent $600 on winter tires which helped, but then you are out there driving with everyone else and having to rely on their tires, brakes and driving skills....I've had enough! Watching a packed city bus spin in circles in the middle of a big heavy intersection was a little shocking for me.
The one good thing is that once I graduate with my nursing degree, there is a shortage almost everywhere so at least I would have a lot of choices of where I want to go.
True, my graduating will be anywhere from 4-7 years from now, and a lot can happen in that time that could make me change my mind, but for right now it gives me hope of something to look forward to. And the fun part is that I have several years to hunt and research a great future home. If anyone has any suggestions of great places they'd recommend I check out, let me know :-)

Sunday, November 20, 2005

My experience on crutches

K - this is more of a vent than anything....

Ok - it was bad enough when I fell at boulevard and people literally stepped over me without looking back to see if I was ok - but boy have I gotten my eyes opened about people. Now we've all said it, "when I was their age there's no way I would've gotten away with that!" or "kids now adays just aren't raised right" Well I would like to set the record straight that sure, times have changed, and generally young people seem to be getting themselves into more trouble as there are more temptations out there to just go crazy nuts, but my experience this week on crutches has shown that young people really aren't all that bad! Every young person I've come into contact this week (I'm talking 12 - 20 both male and female), when they've seen my hobbling along, they've slowed down to help me out, open doors, ask if I need anything, etc. Perfect strangers. Yet the number of adults that have slammed doors in my face, closed elevators in my face, honked their horns at me while I am trying to cross the street, oh the list goes on, it is just ridiculous. Best example, Canadian Tire on Saturday. Stood in line for 20 minutes at the auto center. Went to leave, nice young man opens the door for me. Just as I am going through the door, an older man who was walking behind me shoves me aside to walk through the opened door himself. (?) Then slams the second door in my face. Doesn't even look back. And what a great example he just set for the young man who so nicely opened the door for me. And he couldn't open the other door himself - he had to walk through the door that was being held open for the "handicapped" person? Now I guess I shouldn't be totally surprised cuz yes no one's perfect, and as time goes on, generations get more and more selfish. But I hope the next time I go to grumble about 'young people nowadays' that I never forget this past week....

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Oh Woe Is Me

Wow time flies - has been over two months since I last posted! And of course once again I have another klutzy story, and am using the time I'm SUPPOSED to be working on an assignment to mess around on the computer - what else is new!

This months injury I have avoided the ER at all costs - too stubborn. I decided to just suck it up and deal with it (tomorrow I HAVE to go to the Dr though!) A quarter of the way around Blvd lake, deep in coversation with my buddy Anthe, I end up sprawled out on the path and messed up my ankle! And here we are, two nursing students, looking at each other like, "now what!" And of course nothing is open on a Sunday to get any crutches, and of course I couldn't buy a core floor home, and of course Molly has to go outside 10 times a day....ANYWAYS! Thankfully a friend's mom has loaned me a pair of crutches so that has made a big difference...and every time I start to feel sorry for myself, I think of poor Mali (the former homeowner of my beautiful house), in a foreign country, receiving foreign medical care, hobbling around on a full leg cast....

Working the night shift is still going well - although I do believe I reached burnout at some point over the past couple weeks. First I got the flu, then some pretty bad migraines, then wrote a test where I couldn't even recall some pretty basic terms. After the test we had a short lecture on stress (how appropriate) and I really don't remember a thing!!

Started clinical Oct 31. I am at *****, a beautiful brand new nursing home. Nice to finally get some patient contact besides just learning theory "stuff" (just can't stand our clinical teacher - I swear she has it out for me!) Only two more weeks. Actually only 3 more weeks of school, then exams, then freedom for a month (YAY) Can hardly wait! I need a break - this three day weekend was awesome, even though I got injured, it was still a nice break!!!!!

Anyways back to my assignment - due Friday, haven't even STARTED it yet and I've known about it since the beginning of September!

Toodles

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Time to post again.....

Well since it's been awhile, and the fact that it is almost 4 am and I just can't seem to wind down for bed yet I figured I would babble on for a minute or two....

New events in my "oh so exciting" life.... ended up in the ER again last weekend - think I've lost count of my number of ER visits this year. This past visit was a little too embarrasing to post for the world to see how clutzy stupid I am - I'll leave it to your imagination with these key words: poison control, 5 am grogginess, and "only me!" Anyone who knows me is rolling their eyes right now at this addition to my soap opera life.

Am totally going insane trying to balance the school/work/home ownership/motherhood thing. Tonight I swear I stared at my computer screen for 10 mintues trying to remember how to make the cursor on the screen move (that's it...just reach for the mouse....it's not that far away....you can do it....just reach)

I really do love the night shift - totally shocked since I always considered myself to be a morning person. When I first started this new shift, I was wide awake, super productive, and I have never felt healthier! Wish I had started this schedule years ago. Love going to an afternoon bookstudy (which reminds me I have to switch groups AGAIN) Now that schools started, things are a little crazy, and I am not quite so AWAKE at work right now. Had to step down as union steward. That lasted a whole 3 weeks! Have my own problems to worry about without trying to pile other peoples issues on my shoulders!

Today's school mishap.... left for school a half hour early hoping to do a little reading before class as I am almost a week behind everyone after my little hospital stay. Get to the classroom - wait FOREVER for this class to pile out, push my way through the stragglers, grab a seat, and bury my head in the textbook. After a while I look at my watch and notice that everyone is late (clue #1 I missed). Go back to studying. 10 minutes later I notice it's still a little too quiet. Check my hand made schedule, yep, I'm in the room listed on my schedule. Class must be cancellled. I am ticked - I got up early for THIS! Decide to check to see if there is an email message from the prof about this inconvenience. Nothing. Take a quick look at my schedule - I made a typo on my schedule I drew up....I was in the wrong building! So here I am, the one that has to be EARLY for EVERYTHING, 35 minutes late for a class that I had missed a week ago as well. When I get there, there is only 2 seats left in the tiny classroom at the very front of the room where I had to cross in front of the projector, and in front of the prof, and sit in front of everyone. Class had to be stopped to allow me to get past so what a lovely grand entrance I made! Only me!

Weight loss - well mom and I still have our contest of who can lose 50 lbs the fastest, but we've decided to approach it a little differently this time. For every 10 lbs one loses, the other person rewards them with something. Thought this would be a little more motivation. No major loss on my part so far.... 3.6 lbs, but I guess it's in the right direction. I'm getting tired of the constant comments in class about how, "no one respects a fat nurse,"; "how do you expect to help others if you can't help yourself", blah, blah, blah....well at least the guilt trips are working - now whenever I see chips or chocolate, the first thought in my head is, "that's just not healthy". We'll see how long this lasts!

Miss you like crazy Milo, and so does Molly. Sounds like Milo is adjusting well in his new home and having a blast....spoiled like crazy which he deserves.

Well it's after 4 now and I HAVE to attempt to get some sleep or this upcoming evening will be another zombie experience at work.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Time to lose weight!

Today mom and I started a contest to see who could lose 50 lbs the fastest - the Dr really gave mom a hard time the last time she went to see him about how she needs to lose weight because of her diabetes. She has had the diabetes for years with very few problems, but as she is getting older she is starting to see the effects of the diabetes. He told her she has to lose 50 lbs which would basically make all her symptons go away. (if she needs to lose 50, I can just imagine how much he would think I need to lose!) Anyways since this was her wake up call, I figured this would be a good time for me to smarten up too and we can help each other out. I myself am high risk for diabetes since almost every member of my family has it so this can be my wake up call!

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Small update

Nothing really too new and exciting happening but am coming down with a cold and want to go to bed early, but it is only 7:00, and if I go to bed now I will be up at 3 in the morning wide awake!

Had a wonderful lunch today with a group from work, my "good riddance" lunch as I nicknamed it. About 2o were able to make it despite it being a crazy week with the deputy minister arriving tomorrow, and our deputy registrar there today. Unfortuneately it was planned a little short notice so not every one was able to be informed in time so many missed out. We went to the ***** for an amazing buffet. Everyone really enjoyed it so I was happy to see that. 3 managers were able to come, as well as our union rep - was nice they were willing to take the time out of their busy schedules to attend - meant a lot to me. I'm going to miss a lot of them - there are a lot of great people at the ***** ! Only two more days working the day shift - can hardly believe it - some of these people I have worked with for 8 years!

After lunch our union rep approached me about being the union steward for the night shift - well I definately have experience in grievances and disciplinary meetings (as most of you who know me will agree) So that will be a new and interesting experience. I will have a paid training session coming up soon, just not sure when or where at the moment.

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Bye Milo :-(



Today I gave Milo away to a new home - wasn't easy but I know it was the right thing to do...now that school is starting again, and my schedule is changing, and the constant upkeep of owning my own home, I can't give him the attention he deserves. He is going to a loving family with 3 kids who live in the country with several acres to run. I know he will be happy there. You will be missed Milo!

But I still have my Molly :-)




Thursday, July 28, 2005

Big Changes!

Well it is official. As of September 8, I will be enrolled as a nursing student at ***** (finally). The amazing thing was that there is a three year waiting list to get in, but someone happened to just find out yesterday that they didn't meet all of the requirments to enroll this year while I was meeting with the advisor, so they are letting me slip in their place!

As of August 23 I will be moving to the evening shift at work permanently which will be a big change for me considering I am a morning person! Shall be interesting! So I will still be working full time hours (5:30 pm-1:15 am) and taking classes during the day. Starting out it won't be too bad considering I only have approximately 2 credits remaining in my first year so I think I can handle it. I will be attending 2 classes this fall on campus, and in the winter I will be taking one class online (chemistry), one class on campus, and then my clinical wherever I am assigned, so hopefully it won't be too tough. By starting the evening shift a couple weeks before school starts, I think I should be able to slowly adjust to the new schedule!

Thursday, April 14, 2005

My life in the past 6 months (Nov - Apr)


To summarize for those I have lost contact with...the latest developments in my life during the past 6 months

November 04

- bought my first house (above)
- became insanely busy as I started taking classes actually on campus at ***** with a modified (still full-time) work schedule.
- failed my first test in my life - never write a test the week that your house is closing...you're meeting with the bank/financial advisors/lawyers, etc... the moving company is moving your stuff...you're trying to clean out the old place...not to mention the "rush" of owning your first home (CHEMISTRY WAS NOT ON MY MIND) For the "fun" of it, after I wrote the test I went to the drug store to take my blood pressure....200/110. Yep - I handle stress well


March 05

- Milo came into my life March 9th - will have pictures posted some day
- Dad came up for the first time to see the house and to help out with a few little things. Went to see Stuart McLean again at the Community Auditorium.

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