Prom

My daughter will be graduating from H.S. June 11th. I am so proud of her. She has turned out to be such a bright woman with integrity and grace. Her senior prom was last weekend and I thought I'd post a few pics of her and her date.

I'm in love with my iTouch

I got an iTouch for Christmas and I'm loving it more and more every day. Makes me really want an iPad once the second/third generations are out and tested. Someday when I'm done with school I'll be able to replace my laptop with one I hope! So far I have added apps for Kindle- LOVE having a book to read wherever I go. Many very cheap or free books, and when I buy a book I always have it with me. I also have the Harry Potter Spells app for fun, and a Medscape App for a drugbook, proceedure instructions/info and I can even read articles or do CME's on it (education credits). I have barely scratched the surface of the app world. I feel like a kid in a candy store LOL.

Another niece or nephew is coming!

My brother Jonathan and his wife are awaiting the imminent arrival of their second child today! This is the day after his movie release so it's a very exciting weekend. I love being an aunt and I only wish they lived close enough to visit. Japan is so very far away!

*~ Update~*

It's a girl! No name, length/weight yet but mother and baby are doing fine and my brother says he's going to bed with his older child and I am sure he's exhausted!

Winding down

Last week of the term. Just one more clinical day and then finals. I followed a nurse in the PCU today, very different than the lockdown unit, I learned a lot today and actually felt useful, helping the nurse start an IV. I am looking forward to spring break, starting next monday after 3 pm :)

Saying Goodbye

Mud Puddle has been having some health issues for the last month. It started with a swollen and then bleeding nose, that made it hard for her to breath. The vet ruled out bacterial infection, fungal infection, and then we thought it might be part of her autoimmune disease that attacked her ears a few years ago. But it's not any of those things. The results are back and it's squamous cell carcinoma and fast growing apparently. So we talked about it and the option of surgery which the vet felt wouldn't work, and would only add to the pain. We decided the kindest thing would be to end her suffering. I told the kids, and everyone is sad. Mud Puddle is going to the rainbow bridge on Monday.

100 Book Challenge in 2010!

I decided to sign up to do the 100 Book Challenge in 2010 on J.Kaye's Book Blog


This will be hard, because Nursing school takes up so much of my time, but I love to read, I have to have more stress relief outlets and I can make up some time during the summer. On a good day I can read a book so I know this one is possible. Plus I'm behind in all my reading fun! I have a stack of books waiting for me from Christmas :)

January

1. Acacia- Fantasy series. This was an enjoyable read.

2. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief- Excellent. My kids and I finished it just in time to see the movie. The book is better.

February

3.King of Torts - I really did not enjoy this book. Why does everyone seem to think Grisham is such a great author?

4. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan - Loved it. The boys are really into this series now.

March

5. Lamentation by Ken Scholes I really enjoyed this book. First in a series. I started it as my "van" book, to read while waiting for the boys to get out of school, but I couldn't put it down! I am going to download the next one for my itouch.

6. Anything but Typical- A novel written from the perspective of an autistic 12 year old boy. This subject is close to my heart since I have one exactly the same age. I could only read it in snatches, because it made me cry. Very well written and reality checked by people on the autism spectrum so that it truly reflects how they perceive things. I highly recommend this book!

7. A Game of Thrones A song of Ice and Fire Book 1- Wonderful fantasy, similar to Acacia in some ways. I'm already reading the sequel on my itouch.

8. Half the Sky- This is a life changing book. Difficult to read, as it is hard to face the reality that most of the women in the world today live under such dangerous circumstances and face the kind of treatment we generally like to think ended when slavery was abolished, apartheid was ended, etc. In reality many women are still sex slaves, and according to this book there are more slaves today than at the peak of the European slave trade. It's not all bad news, this book goes into many details about the work being done to change things for women all around the world, and how you can get involved. It all boils down to education, and enlightening the local people that there is another way. If you get a chance, read this book, then pick something that resonates with you and help.

9. A Clash of Kings Book 2 of the song of Ice and Fire series- I can't help it, I had to keep reading until it was done. Bed can wait!

10. A Storm of Swords Book 3 of the song of Ice and Fire series- Still satisfying, I'm going to be sad when I get to the end of this series.

11.A Feast for Crows Book 4 of the song of Ice and Fire series- Only took me a day and a half to read this one wanting to get to the good parts! Once I got to the end I discovered the last book in the series hasn't been finished yet, and it was a bit of a cliffhanger. How disappointing, but I guess I need to do something other than read this vacation!

12. The Titan's Curse- book 3 of the Percy Jackson and the Lightning thief series. The kids and I can't get enough, really enjoying sharing this series with them.

13. Witch and Wizard by James Patterson - Such a dissapointment. I didn't realize this was a YA book and it was much lighter reading than I was hoping for. I was bored for most of the book.

April

14. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan- Book 4 in the series continuing the story of Percy Jackson and his friends in their battle against Kronos. Still excellent and such a fun way to share mythology with the kids!

15. World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler. Post oil world. Interesting world he's developed that feels like a return to the late 1800's. A bit on the religious side, but the plot is good and the characters are well developed. I finished it in one day while doing other things so it's a quick read!

16. Welcome to Temptation and

17. Bet Me- a combined two story paperback by Jennifer Crusie. Lighthearted romance. I will be reading more of her books. Her characters are different than the usual romance protagonists.

18.Destiny's Road by Larry Niven- Very typical sci fi for it's era. I enjoyed it but something was missing from the flow. It is worth reading, but I felt lost at times.

19. Aftermath by Charles Sheffield- Post supernova EMP from a nearby star knocks out technology in this futuristic postapocalyptic novel. It had well developed characters, and a plot that kept you turning the pages.

20. This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer- The third in her series of YA fiction about the moon being knocked closer to the earth. I didn't enjoy this one after about CH 14, the author seemed to be going off on a tangent, and the characters didn't feel like they were following their personalities in the decisions they made. I did however enjoy her first two in this series, Life as we Knew it and The Dead and the Gone.

May

21. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks- I read this for class, found it a great read. It's about the Black Death, and the main character's struggles.

So I have been slacking, and it's September! I'll add the links later.

Books I read this summer

22. Daggerspell by Katherine Kerr- Great fantasy series.

23. ACLS Book- American Heart Association - Preparation text for Advanced Cardiac Life Support. I passed my certification so it must have been good :)

24. The Mermaid's Chair by Sue Monk Kidd- Romance but with a twist. Love ended and regained. A bit gory in parts

25. Safe Harbor by Luanne Rice- another Romance novel. Sailing and sisterhood, and love over time. Nice story

26. Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark- Romance, and mystery. O.k. but not my favorite.

September

27. Canticle by Ken Scholes- Continuation of the series. Very gripping and great characters.

December

Well I ended up reading only 27 books this year, but considering all the things that I had on my plate I am pretty happy to have read that many!

First flowers!

I noticed a tree in bloom near my friend's house on Monday. That and the pansy's in bloom and the return of blue skies has me cheerful. Spring is on the way! Of course along with that comes allergy season, so we are getting ahead of the curve and starting the meds now before we all turn into sniffling stuffy noses.



This pic is from 2000, but it's one of my favorites. I am looking forward to the tulips!
I have been doing well with my coursework. Only 3 more weeks in this term, and I am mostly done with our psychosocial paper. Next term we move on to Populations and Epidemiology. I am really looking forward to Epidemiology since infectious diseases are a special interest of mine. I find them absolutely facinating.

Lost Souls

This term has been a difficult one for me so far. Not so much the academics, although that is always a lot of work and time consuming. This time it's the emotional toll. I'm working in a hospital psychiatric ward, and while I'm fine while I'm on the floor my heart is breaking for the lost souls who are there, and their families. There are so few resources in this state and in this area in particular and so much need. I feel badly for my patients who had no chance from the beginning. Not only do they lack the insight to see what they must do to get well, but they lack the social support to have a chance. No stable family life, their history is a mess, and despite myself I find it very rough to look at these people especially the young ones and not think but for the grace of god go my children. While they don't have something like psychosis or schizophrenia, autism comes with some similar challenges in being able to construct an independent life. Right now they are doing so well in school and functioning at such a high level that I have high hopes that they will lead lives that rival any "normal" person's in their success and fulfillment. I feel very blessed and I am taking things one day at a time right now, doing what I have to do to sooth my soul, and being very very kind to myself, my family and my friends.

Half Done

The end of this term marks the halfway point through the nursing program in total number of months. I got an A in this term, and my clinical instructor said I was the best in the clinical group. This is the second time a clinical instructor has told me that so I am very hopeful this bodes well for my chances of getting into the clinical specialty when they are chosen for senior year. Only 25% of our class will have that opportunity. I had a wonderful term and I learned so much.

Now it's time to celebrate before tackling mental health next term! I plan to clean my house, have our annual gingerbread house decorating party, listen to christmas music, bake cookies and sleep in a lot. Oh and watch movies and play games with my kids. It will be so nice to relax.

Thanksgiving

This year more than most I have so much to be thankful for. I am happier than I have been in my entire life. I have a wonderful family, a loving husband, fantastic loving friends, a warm roof over my head, plenty of food to eat, the opportunity to go to school and learn what I love. And above all I have my health. Last week I successfully weaned off the Prednisone and I have been med free for one week! We will see if I am in remission in six months. So far not a hint of a blister of itchy spot so it's looking good!

Birthday Season

November is birthday season at our house, with all 3 of my son's birthdays. Jake invited friends to go see a movie. I took them to see Astro Boy. It was cute. Nick chose to have a bowling party and that was a big hit as always. Max has decided not to have a party with friends, but we will celebrate on tuesday as a family. It's hard to believe I now have a 17 yr old, almost 15 yr old, 12 yr old and 8 yr old! No more littles at my house :)

School has been keeping me busy as well. I have a major paper due on Tuesday, and then Wednesday I have clinical and a class I'm helping teach for my nutrition class. After that it's smooth sailing until my final. I will appreciate the break as it has been almost non stop for two weeks. Overall this term has been easier than last year since I only have two classes instead of 3 hard ones.

Easy Peasy

I have been slacking on my journal. The fall term is in full swing and so far it has been a breeze. I am really feeling relaxed and enjoying myself. I really like my clinical instructor and I am taking every opportunity I have to learn. Wednesday I got to do my clinical in OB. I watched a fetal monitor strip, and understand better what is good and what isn't. I saw a non-stress test on twins, and best of all I got to help support a laboring mom while she was pushing. We almost got to see the baby born, but our time in clinical was over and we had to leave before the baby was born. It really felt right for me. It confirmed my inner feelings that OB is the right area of nursing for me.

In other news, our town has been hit pretty hard by H1N1. 25% of the middle school is out with the flu, and a good 1/5 of the high school. I am going to get the vaccine as soon as there is some available at my Dr's office (I have to have the shot and the student clinic only has the inhaled version which I can't have) There were a lot of people at the hospital too with the flu so I really want to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Fortunately our school is prepared to be flexible about making up clinical days in case we get it.

Summer Bliss

I've been on summer break for two weeks. Enjoying the sleeping in, reading fiction and cleaning my house. We are going on vacation for a week to visit Lane's family. I am looking forward to it!

Week 3

Getting into the meat of this term. The kids are doing well, and everything is going as smoothly as I could hope for. My schedule is Mon, Tues, Wed packed full from 8-5, and Wed 6-5. Then Sim 3 times on Thursday. I have every Friday "off" to study and do other homework. This week I had to stay up late to prep for Clinical, my first day of full patient care at the hospital. So I was pretty tired and took a nap today. I had a great clinical on Wed. I picked a patient that was complex, but stable so I learned a lot without being too stressed. Next week I get to observe in the OR. We have two tests on Monday so I am going to have to study a lot over the next three days!

Spring Break

My finals are over and I did very well. I got a chance to visit with my family and it was so nice to see them. My brother came from Japan with his wife and my nephew. Boy 2 yr olds are busy :) He is just darling and so smart! My mom and stepdad came as well and we had a mini family reunion. I will post pics at a later time when I get around to getting them off my camera.

Mostly I am reading and watching movies and sleeping. It feels SOOOO good to just decompress!

It's been awhile

Almost done with winter term, but there is still a bit to go. I have to start studying for finals. Just two and a half weeks to go.

My grandmother fell and broke both of her ankles so I've been spending quite a bit of time visiting her. She will be going home on friday from the nursing home so we are all happy about that. They think she will fully recover.

I am really looking forward to spring break. My brother and mother are both coming to visit so I am happy.

23 yrs Challenger Remembered

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

You are not forgotten Christa and the rest of the Challenger Crew!

Week 3 update

So far everything is going smoothly this term. I have taken two exams and aced them. No time for anything except school but I'm a good kind of busy! I did take a break yesterday to go for a walk with Nick. It was cold but nice to be outside in nature for a bit!

Winter Term

We're all back to school. I had an apt with my specialist in Portland on Monday. Everything is fine, it was just a required check in and refill prescription type apt. If everything continues to go like it is then I will be able to start tapering my other meds once I pass the one year mark on them. My labs look excellent. She was really happy with my progress.
I am taking Nursing Genetics, Pathology, Pharmacology and Nursing classes this term. I am going to be up to the tip of my head in schoolwork so may be a bit slow on the blogging. So far everything is going well. However my Patho and Pharm teacher is the same person who wrote our Contemporary Med Surg textbook that is 6 inches thick. A little intimidating LOL. He's really nice though but I can tell he really expects us to know a lot already and we have just started! Jumping in on the second day I felt a bit behind. Hopefully that won't last long. I have already read 5 chapters plus additional readings. I am excited about the new term though. I love learning so I'm going to dive right in and do it!

Merry Christmas One and All!