Happy Birthday, Andrea!

Yesterday was Andrea's birthday. We celebrated with a hot dog roast at her grandma's house outside of town.





Rob & Danea
Mom & Dad
Al & Ben
Ben took this last picture and I think it just captures Andrea amazingly.

Back to the Birthroom?!?

Breaking news...looks like I'm headed south of the border to help at Shelly's birth center in June. Wow...only 4 weeks left in school!!!

An Exciting Weekend in the Plains

My blog is full of recent adventures, so I thought it was time to welcome you into the hermit/nerdy side of my life. Yesterday I spent hours making note cards, drawing pictures to remind me of properties of electrolyte imbalances and fluid distribution, and listening to taped lectures at double speed. (Thanks to David for that handy tip)

Last night I did venture out with a group of friends to our local International House of Prayer. I'd heard of the one in Kansas City, but had no idea we had a satellite one here. We were there till about 1am. Though I found myself quite restless early in the evening it turned out to be a sweet night.

Today I woke up and started studying and doing online tests for school. Save for a quick trip to Big lots for emergency salsa, that's been my weekend. Yes, the riveting life it is! My presidential duties this week including purchasing, and erecting a faux 8 ft palm tree to kick off our "giving tree" project. If we learn nothing else, at least Kathy and I come of with some corny tag lines for everything we do.

Perhaps I am suited for spinsterhood and graduate school. ;0))

Weekend in the Big City

My dear leaders from my 3 TMI mission trips are in the US on furlough. When I heard they would be in TX I couldn't pass up the chance to go see them. (And once again do a crazy 36 hour weekend of driving)

Saturday was my birthday and I stayed with Charity. The birthday hat was sent to me by my mom. We went to teh store and she made a meal that would make Martha Stewart proud. (Chicken in puff pastry with basil cream sauce.) We ended the night with some mocha almond fudge ice cream.

Our evening entertainment included watching her dog Gus play with her mom's dog (Yorkie vs Maltese puppy) and some renovation shows

Sunday after church we drove to Dallas about the time Wayne and Pam were getting into town. David met us and we took them to Freebirds. I stopped for some take out at Panera Bread before heading home (my favorite place!!!). Though I love 'em, I think I need to swear off these whirlwind trips for a while. Back to the books...

Presidency & Politics

As of this afternoon I'm the President-elect of the student nurse association at school (the local chapter of the national association) Kathy & I launched a full scale campaign...well actually we just put chocolate next to our posters and asked for them to vote for us (President/Vice President). Here we are filling up boxes.

Thursday the girl that was running against me decided to take a different position, so I was almost guaranteed the spot. We wrote in another one of our classmates for Treasurer so at least we have ONE guy. Here the current President gives me a gift basket (complete with Red Bull and lots of pens).

The ingoing and outgoing officers (minus Spencer who had to leave before the lunch)

Happy Birthday, Mindy!!!

To one of the bestest friends EVER!!! Happy Birthday! (Thanks for greeting each new year before me)

School Trip to National Student Nurse Convention

I walked out of the hospital late Tuesday night (the 10th). Uncharacteristically I hadn't packed or prepared for the trip. After a stop at Ben’s house (I have now introduced Andrea into the circle) to see everyone I ran home. Amber and I sipped coffee on the way to the airport and I was off.

As an adult I’ve traveled the world and navigated my way through quite a few airports. So, it was a bit weird to be back in a student role having a chaperone freaked out someone would miss a connection. In Dallas I stepped up to the desk to see if I could obtain credit for my miles. My chaperone came up behind me in a tizzy rebuking me for leaving her sight. Um…I was at our gate…and I told the girls… Regardless, it reminded me that I was in a different role. I’m back to being 15 and traveling in a TMI travel group. =0))

Listening to lectures the whole way there afforded me a few naps. As you can see here we were being complete nerds on the plane studying for upcoming tests (and tests we were missing due to the trip)

We arrived in California to be informed that we could not check in until 4pm. Our chaperone was set on a nice lunch and wanted to poll the locals. Many of us were on super strict budgets and weren’t looking forward to cab rides and a big tap. But she was set on a nice place. We ended up getting some cabs and going to this place the desk attendant swore we’d like. In fact, she would call ahead and make reservations for us.

We had a little trouble with the English barrier between our drivers, and were a bit concerned they had never heard of this place. Still, we made it there. We walked in and it was the most ghetto place ever.

“Um…I’m pretty sure if there is a PICTURE menu, you don’t need reservations.” Was the observation of the person behind me. A gruff deep Latino voice came over the loud speaker “uhhhh number ocho wet burrito with cheeps.” It was quite the place and we continued to giggle every few minutes when the gruff voice would announce the meal up at the counter.

For weeks I had been asking the current president of our local chapter just what the heck this was all about and only getting the answer “umm, it’s hard to explain its just cool and you’ll see in California” Yeah, took me about 3 days to finally figure it out. Basically it’s a national lobbying organization for student nurses and we vote on national leaders and resolutions sent to groups like nursing associations or the AMA.

Friday was my turn to sit during resolution sessions and vote with the other schools from Texas. The night before they stayed up to the wee hours of the morning interviewing candidates running for national organization so Texas would know how to vote. Apparently TX has one of the hightest numbers of votes (based on membership) and they aren’t shy about it. I pretty much sat back and went with the flow except for a few things that I chose to stand in opposition. (got a few “you go girl”s on that)

As you can see in the picture the delegates from TX like to eat...the had it delivered right into the house of delegates.

Though we were down the street from Disney I didn’t go (can you believe its like 83 dollars these days?!?) WE did eat at a restaurant outside the park and took pictures in the “R..N” section of the word CALIFORNIA outside the park. cheesy. =0))

It was an exhuasing trip with late nights. Sunday I went on a nice stroll in the sun to read and prepare to go home. Once again American delayed the return to our West Texas city, but I was home by midnight.

I guess the trip just seemed wild because it really hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m in nursing school and will be a nurse next year. I’ve been discouraged with school recently. Its not necessarily hard information, just that they throw such a huge quantity at us. Being social hasn’t worked out for me as much and I think I need to go back to being a hermit. =0)) Ok, so maybe I need to balance both extremes.

The outgoing officers

THAT was WILD

I have just returned from a 5 day school trip to the National Student Nurse Association Convention. It has been quite some time since I've had to travel in a group herd style. Much of the time we spent voting on position statements and candidates. I had to continually remind myself I am now from Texas, not Michigan. "Don't Mess With Texas" is a whole new attitude to me. My group was loud and proud. Be assured once I get some sleep and finish my homework due at 8am tomorrow I will post.

"For Your Heathen Ipod"

That's really their tag! Attention those of you with an Ipod or Nano. You can download a copy of the ESV New Testament for FREE. www.podbible.org

What?!?

We woke to at least 3-4 inches of snow on the ground! Last year before Easter I was in Lubbock taking my NET test and interviewing for the school. I spent Easter in Dallas and believe we hit 100 that day...

Amber outside cleaning off her car

Easter Weekend

Thrusday:
8-3:30pm.....school...wait around for results of our med test (required to get at least a 94)
4pm ..............out with classmates to sigh relief and play some trivia
7pm...............Maundy Thursday service at church. My first MT service, but very beautiful and solemn
8pm...............Not so solemn consumption of M&M's & Moonpies at Marc & Amy's while we watch the Tivo'd episode of the Office.
11pm............. Drive Rachel home and stop by local coffee shop which had live set to hug my hippie friends

Friday:
8-12...............at school...thankful to get out early and only have a quick student welfare meeting
12...................decide to officially run for president of student nurse association (and immediately wonder what the heck have I done?)
1.....................nap...ahhhhhhhh
2-4.................clean, read email, run a few errands notice its 38 degrees outside
4pm...............enjoy movie

Someone Warn Italy!!

Random News of the Day:
Just reading that Aeroflot (termed "aero-FLOP" for years by those of us who have enjoyed their services), the Russian state-owned airline, has put in a bid buy controlling stake in Alitalia.

Fun With Needles

While slightly bored today with lab I pulled out my digital camera...Tomorrow that needle is going in MY gluteus. Shouldn't there be some lifetime limit to how many times people can practice on you? So in case you go back to school you don't have to get a bunch of practice pokes all over again?

Another Whirlwind Weekend

I shattered last weekend's millage and went between 750-800 miles in 36 hours! The destination was the birth center in Taos for some continuing education for my midwife certification. I stayed in a little ski lodge amid pine trees and dusting snow.

The classes were wonderful and definitely the most thorough NRP class I've taken. I was amazed how much research has changed neonatal resuscitation recommendations in the last 2 years. (after we were trained to be so concerned about suctioning on the perineum and intubating.) While it was encouraging to be around midwives for the weekend, it also left me a little sad. I really miss practicing. For this season I'm in geriatric post-op, so I'm trying to to my very best where I am.











In addition to the general info the teacher shared her own journey starting out at a high volume clinic and how she had to work through her own struggles and fears after that experience. Coming full circle to Taos (where my journey with MIA began almost 4 years ago) and hearing her encouraged me to keep going. I'm also a bit more motivated to contact other midwives out here (the nearest being 2 hours away) and finish paperwork for my Texas license.

While I enjoy solitude, by hour 6-7 on any trip I'm ready for human interaction. It's good to be "home". I pushed to get home and was happy to attend my own church today. J spoke on Luke 5 and encouraged us to forget that we "know the story" and really think about how Jesus used such "unlikely, unfit" characters to "(catch) save alive". This last week I've been so discouraged about life in general. I find hope that God doesn't want me or use me because I am [or feel I'm NOT] this fabulous person who can do it all. By his work of grace he calls me in and lets me in on what He's doing.

Weekend in California

Unfortunately Nic's groom was unable to obtain a visa to get into the US, so their wedding has been postponed. However, we still enjoyed a lovely weekend in Central CA.

Friday was quite a blur between school, errands, and dealing with HR at the hospital. K's knock came all too soon and we headed out to navigate to the airport. Inevitably every time I go we get a little lost. Apple has revolutionized my life (I may be on the brink of entertaining the thought of getting a Mac when I graduate) and I carried with me all of my lectures from the past week in a device that fits in my hand. With all of my textbooks and lecture notes in my laptop I felt a sense of accomplishment as I studied in the airport even while walking between gates.

My plane sat on the tarmac of LAX for a while as we waited for a gate. It was nice to have someone else make the travel arrangements and I only needed to worry about going with the flow. (for more info on J's frustrations with Budget see his blog) We loaded up in our rented mustang convertable complete with GPS economy car and were off to Nic's house in central CA. Even after a stop at a shady rest area, where I demanded the keys whilst Jonathan left me in the car, we made it in once piece.

After a few hours sleep, I wandered into the kitchen where we sat for a few hours chatting with her family. Neighbors and grandkids came in and out for coffee and conversation. Ahhh, the pace of the country. Nic showed us pictures of fiance and her time in Mozambique. The big excitement was that I caught a neighbor dog taking one of their chickens and Mr. H went out with the rifle.

Around lunchtime we went to Trader Joes (yaaaaayyyy) and gathered supplies for a fabulous lunch on the beach. (Soy 'n' flax chips with hummus or pico...just to name a few of the items on the menu) It was a little overcast. We walked one beach then chose a quieter one for the picnic. Late afternoon we were back at the Hiltons and more people stopped by to chat. I spent some time on the phone with people I knew from various ministries that lived in the area while the menfolk went outside to work on Nic's water pump.









Saturday night we drove down to LA (after one more stop at Trader Joes and an emergency "dinner" at Starbucks) and stayed with one of the "kids" from our '98 trip to Venezuela and his wife. He used to sit on the kitchen floor in South America and hope we'd give him samples of what we were cooking. He's now a pastor and we got to hear him preach Sunday to a high school group. It was amazing to hear him speak so articulately and passionately.

2007 John & Kathryn

<-----Nic & John 1998


After church we were off to the airport and I began my saga of getting home to Lubbock. My classmates were asking me "but what did you DO?". We didn't do much but got to relax, sit in the sand, and talk to people. No late night clubs in LA or celebrity sightings. =0)) I had a great time and wouldn't have traded the time talking with friends for any club in LA! I have a feeling my long drive this weekend to go to my NRP class will just seem dull.