Capsizing in the Pacific

So...last weekend, Craig and I decided to sign up for sailboating lessons. If you ever visit Anacortes you will know why. There are beautiful sailboats everywhere and it is so tempting to go out there and join them. We thought sailboating lessons would be a good way to start on possible sailing adventures. The lessons were two days long and we were pumped! We got up on Saturday to a windless sunny morning. When we walked into class, the first thing the instructor said to us was, "oh, you must be Craig and Katie." Okay...a nice warm welcome.... and then the second thing, "husbands and wife's can't sail together on the first day." Hmmm...okay. Craig and I sort of looked at eachother. The instructor went on to explain that through her experience she has found it is a bad idea to put a husband and wife in a boat together on their first day of sailing. It made me wonder how many times she has seen a wife or husband throw the other out of the boat out of frusturation. I guess you're less likely to throw a stranger out than your own spouse. Okay, we went with it. So the third thing she said was the icing on the cake, "One requirement we have for all students is that they must capsize the sailboat, flip it back over, and get in." Oh boy. Craig and I looked at eachother and gulped. The instructor went on to explain that we shouldn't worry because she guarenteed us that indeed our life vests would keep us a float and she would "rescue" us if we so needed. She also went on to explain the effects and symptoms of hypothermia. Hmmm....this doesn't sound so fun anymore... Now, if we were in the warm caribbean waters this might seem like a good idea but way up north here, we are lucky if the pacific waters are much above 50 degress. Oh boy. With hypothermia, sharks, and drowning on our minds...the lessons went on and we finally got out into little two person sailboats. There was barely any wind so it wasn't too scary and it really was a lot of fun. I have to admit that I'm not very good at steering the boat and swapping sails at the same time..I often forget that I'm doing one and just do the other. This results in me spinning into some pretty tight circles with the boat at a pretty big slant. Maybe we should learn how to recover from a capsize after all. I think we both made it through the first day without getting hit on the head with the boom and we overall had a good time. Class was over for the day but we had to look forward to the dreaded capsize the next day. Sigh. Neither of us slept well since we both woke up explaining all the dreams we had about capsizing. To make matters worse, we woke up to an extremely windy day with not a break in the clouds. It was freezing out. I had sweats and a jacket on. We debated not showing up for the class and skipping this whole capsizing thing. Neither of us could talk ourselves into that, so we dragged our cold selves to class. We ended up standing on the dock shivering as the instructors got the sailboats ready. There were a total of six people in the class and all of them had wet suits on except one lady and Craig and I. I have to say at this point I somewhat panicked. There is no way I am getting in this water..I'm freezing just standing here dry. Craig and I tried to figure out a way to....well...make an excuse to leave, but everything we came up with was way to obvious. So here we are minutes from being stuck in a tiny little sailboat and being tipped over into 50 degree water. The instructor kept telling us not to worry...our life vests would keep us a float. This I knew, I was worried about well...freezing! How did we get ourselves into this? So we got on the sailboat, Craig trying to figure out how he wasn't going to land direclty on the sail when it tipped and I'm trying to figure out how in the world I wasn't going to get tangled up in all these ropes. There wasn't too much time to think as the boat started tipping. There it was...the nearly freezing water inches from my face. Splash! Sailboat tipped. A freezing Craig and Katie. I have to say...I've been in cold water before but this was different. I couldn't breathe! I kept trying to inhale but to no avail. It was at this moment I realized that I didn't have a clue what I was supposed to do now that I was in the water. Because I was so distracted with not wanting to get in the water, I didn't hear a word they said explaining how to get back out of the water. So the boat is tipped, and I can't breathe. Craig starts swimming to the other side of the boat (he must have listened). The instructor starts yelling at me to throw over the rope. I'm freezing, and I'm supposed to be functional? To think that I acutally paid money to do this. So which rope to throw over...I dont know, there are only about 20! Panick! I grabbed one, prayed it was the right one and tossed it over. I hung on to the boat and Craig, my super duper husband somehow does something with the rope and flips the sailboat back over with me in it. Everyone starts yelling at me to help him in. So I "run" over to the back of the boat, grab his life vest and help him in. Whooo weee! Finally, the capsize was over. We got out of the boat, gave some high fives and ran to the car to crank the heat. I was pretty proud of Craig for flipping over the boat so quickly and proud of us both for at least giving this capsizing thing a try. We just chalked it up as one of our many weird adventures. At the end of the day, I think we were both glad we took the class, we have a new respect for pacific waters, and we agree that boats with motors are a better fit for us. :) P.S... I really wish I had some pictures of this weekend...but ...my camera isn't waterproof.. :)

*sigh*

Where to start. Last week, I was getting all my ducks in a row for future nursing school endeavours. I hit a couple of brick walls. First off, the accelerated nursing program at the University of Washington only offers a masters or a doctorate...which I knew. There is no option for a BSN only. Because I don't want to spend the next several years in school, the BSN option would be better for me but given that they only have a Masters or Doctorate accelerated program, that is my only option at this point. So the Masters option is less schooling so naturally I originally went in this direction. After further research, the Masters focal areas are not what I want to be doing. After speaking with a couple of nurses and talking to the UofW school of nursing program director (who is also a nurse) it turns out that all the focal areas in the Master's program are nurse educator roles. Although I like teaching, I don't think that is the direction I want to go. I dont want to spend time in school for something I don't want to be doing (I've learned that lesson...the hard way!) Next up...getting a doctorate (yikes!). Now this is a pretty new thing in the nursing world. Basically by 2015 it is going to be required that all advanced practice nurses have a doctorate (other than ones that already have it...they will be grandfathered in.) Well the University of Washington is preparing for this and offering all practitioner degrees at the doctorate level only. The bad news, the schooling is long. At the end of the day you might as well have gone to medical school. To make matters worse the Doctor of Nursing degree is very new and very controversial. Some people think it is a way for schools to make another dollar, some claim it is going to hinder the relationship between doctors and nurses, some think it is going to cause public confusion having a nurse that is a doctor (I can see that). On the other end, people think the extra education will produce better prepared nurses and it will bridge the gap between research and clincal practice. Ugh...what to do? The scope and pay of advanced practice nurses has not changed, just the amount of education. The extra classes that you get in a doctorate program are things like "leadership, and research theory." I'm sure there are more clinical hours too, but I think I would be better off getting experience working full time as a nurse. I don't think more theory and leadership classes are going to make me a better nurse. Sounds like the university is doing this in the name of the all so mighty dollar. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. In the meantime I had to decide if I was just going to throw this whole thing out the window or go forth with my pre-reqs that started Monday. Well, I couldn't bring myself to throw it all out just yet so I started my first class. I really like it, in fact, I look forward to studying. Wednesday I hit yet another hurdle however. The O-Chem class that I need is only offered at the local community colleges in the fall and they want Chem 1, Chem 2, and Chem 3 for pre-reqs and the professor did not approve a waiver for me (since I only have Chem 1). Great. I did some research and found a couple of online courses that might be options. I'll just say this. Chem 1, Chem 2, and Chem 3 have no business being pre-reqs for O-Chem. From a material standpoint, they are two separate entities. When asking the professor why I needed all these chem classes...I was told, "It is not a class content pre-req as much as it is a way to prove that students can handle the academic intensity of O-Chem" Hmm...I think (could be wrong) but getting an engineering degree just might be proof that I can handle the "academic intensity" of O-Chem. Just a guess though. In fact my sister (who is also a mechanical engineer) took O-chem and she said it was her easiest science course she took. It is frusturating but I really want this to work out. They wonder why they have a nursing shortage? Well, I now know why.

Check this out..

This is really neat! I learned a neat little fact about Seattle from a co-worker today. Back in the 1800s the original downtown Seattle had a huge fire that destroyed a huge portion of the city. After a city meeting it was decided to rebuild it. While rebuilding it, they decided to raise the elevation of the streets (for water reasons) which eventually resulted in an entire new city being built on top of the old one. The even cooler part...you can tour the undergroud city! Here is a little blurb from a website I found:

"The Seattle Underground Tour lets you tour that city beneath the city, in a three block-tour, giving you a chance to discover the underground streets and storefronts. It’s a chance to get a feel for what it must have been like to live in Seattle at the end of the 19th century. You’ll also hear stories about Seattle’s rather colorful, and at a times rather messy, past. This isn’t the stuff we learned about in our history class! But you’ll have to decide for yourself what is true, and what is simply urban legend."

And the answer is....

Nursing it is!

Since the very first day I was asked, "what do you want to do when you grow up?"...the answer was always...A "Baby Doctor". Since I can remember, this is what I wanted to do. Well, some how nearing the end of high school graduation, I got a scholarship to a school...it just so happened that this school only had engineering. So engineering school it was. I ended up not staying at this school, but some how I stayed with engineering. Becoming a Baby Doctor fell to the sidelines and my career as an engineer began. The "dream" has still not left so it is time I do something about it. It has been eating at me for years now. With medical school in consideration, I decided not to go this route. First it is really dang expensive, second it takes forever, and third...I'm not so sure I want a doctor's schedule. Nursing is (in my opinion) a perfect fit for me. There is a great program (rated #1) at the University of Washington for folks with 4 year non-nursing degrees. It is an accelerated program in which the first year you go full time, 7 days a week. At the end of that year, a BSN will be awarded (new this upcoming year hopefully) and then you go into the masters portion. After the first year you can work as a nurse and go to school (most classes are online). When you apply you pick a focal area. My focal area of choice is the Neonatal Nurse Specialist Option. I'm going to do my best to get in, but it may not happen the first time around. There are hundreds of applicants and only a handful of slots. I'm going to do my best and push on through. In the mean time...work, school, hospital volunteering, and applications are on my plate. Wish me luck!

Back to School?!?!?

I can't believe it myself. I am going back to school. When I graduated from engineering school, I vowed never to return. Hmmm....I guess I just needed a long break. I'm not going back to school full time just yet, just taking a couple of classes this summer. Although I love engineering (sigh), I am finally going to pursue something I have been wanting to do for a very long time (thanks to a lot of encouragement from my wonderful husband!). I assure you...it has nothing to do with engineering...nothing at all. In order to start, I have to get some pre-reqs under my belt. Working and doing school might prove to be difficult during the fall semester since I may have to negotiate with my boss as far as my work schedule, but I'm going to give it my all. First thing first...classes start July 22nd. It was weird going to get school supplies again. I have to say though...knowing I'll be studying something I care about really does make a difference. I haven't mentioned what my new goal is but....I'll give you a clue...

The classes I'll be taking this summer are...

1) Human Anatomy and Physiology

2) Nutrition

Any guesses????

Some thoughts...

At work, I have this little calendar that is titled "Day by Day with Jesus." Everyday when I come into work, it is the first thing I do...I flip to a new day and read the message. I liked this one so I wanted to share it.

Those tiny drops of humanity. Those round, wet balls of fluid that tumble from our eyes, creep down our cheeks, and splash on the floor of our hearts...They are miniature messengers, on call twenty-four hours a day to substitute for crippled words. They drip, drop, and pour from the corner of our souls, carrying with them the deepest emotions we possess.

and tomorrows (sometimes I can't help but look ahead ;))...

When God chose to reveal himself, he did so (surprise of surprises) through a human body. The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. the feet upon which the woman wept were calloused and dusty. And his tears...oh don't miss the tears...they came from a heart as broken as yours or mine ever has been.

Our First Visitor!

Last week we had our first visitor here in Anacortes. Craig's brother Scott came from Wyoming to spend some time in Anacortes with us. The trip started off with Craig meeting Scott up in Seattle for the first weekend. They stayed up there, ate some good food, saw the space needle, and of course gambled (yeah...I'm not sure the gambling went so well ;)). Once the weekend in Seattle was over, up to Anacortes they went. The first night we BBQ'd and visited and of course I made some brownies for dessert. While I was stirring the brownie mix, they both stood in anticipation waiting for...well I thought for the brownies to be baked. I was wrong. As soon as I put the mix in the baking dish I headed for the sink to wash out the mixing bowl and mixer. Wow...big mistake. Both of them...in unison...."No no no!....we'll take care of that." Alright, I stepped away and let them at it. They both started licking the bowl and the mixers. I had to grab my camera for this one....

The week continued with lots of fishing and eating. One night we headed to the beach to roast some hotdogs over a campfire. Before starting the campfire, the boys figured it was a good time to see if they could catch any fish. While they went over and tried to catch something I snapped a few pictures and waited in anticipation for them to catch something.


Hmmmm...20 minutes passed and nothing. Craig said he got a bite but no catch. At this point we were getting pretty hungry so we started the campfire and got out the hotdogs. After eating all the hotdogs, we decided to roast some smores. I had to laugh because for some reason, both of them managed to get marshmellows smeared on their faces. Neither of them knew or didn't care (I'm not sure which one) and I didnt' say anything but it got really funny when they decided to smoke their cigars. Cigars and marshmellows on the face...they were so funny.

While they were sitting there relaxing, I decided to try my hand at fishing (show them boys how it is done). Mmmmm...about two casts in (maybe three) boom a bite! I reeled it in. The boys were behind me still by the fire, smoking their cigars. They were both playing it cool...like..hmm...no big deal. So I cast my line out again. Booom. Bite. another fish. At this point I could tell they were getting restless. After the third one, they both jumped up, cigars in hand and headed for the fishing poles. No more relaxing for them, back to fishing they went. Of course the cigars couldn't go to waste so I shot the following pics.








They both did catch several fish. We still haven't caught anything big off the shore but it is fun nonetheless. They fished until the sun went down.

The next big adventure for the week was the deep sea fishing trip. Craig and Scott had to get up really early to get on the boat (5 am). Now if you know anything about Neumans, you know this is far too early in the morning. On top of that... when they got up, Anacortes was having some of the worse weather we have had since we've been here. There was thunder and lightening and of course rain. The boys went out anyway ready to catch a big king Salmon. The trip lasted about 8 hours. They came home in the afternoon cold and tired and a little bummed that they didn't catch anything. I guess one guy on the boat almost caught a sand shark and Scott got a good bite right at the end, but it got away. The good news... they didn't get seasick on the boat and they saw some killer whales and a harbor seal. Overall, they had a good time. Maybe next time the fish and the weather will cooperate a little better.

The next day was the fourth of July. We got up in time for the local parade. Craig and I are still used to big city living so we were surprised when we were able to park right next the parade. The parade was nice. I think half the town was in the parade and the other half was watching. The parade was pretty neat and we had a good time. Later that night we went out to dinner and then headed to the fireworks. We weren't real sure where the best place was to watch the fireworks but we found a neat little spot by the water. We were amazed how uncrowded it was.



We had a really good time with Scott and we can't wait for more friends and family to come and visit!

A Cotton Anniversary

Two years ago today (minus a few hours) I walked down the aisle and said, "I do." I can't believe it has already been two years. It feels like yesterday when we were planning the wedding. Here we are two years later. I think of everything we have already done in such a short time. We have changed jobs, moved to a new state, sold our first house, bought our second, and here we are. This year, traditionally we are to get eachother gifts made of cotton. We call it our "Cotton Anniversary." I guess this is a step up from last year's "Paper Anniversary." Today on the phone, Craig said, "this is our cotton anniversary....that's a long way from our golden anniversary." Gold...Cotton...yeah I see the difference :).
I love you my dear sweet husband. I look forward to every day we spend together, have together, and I look forward to our future. I couldn't ask for a better partner in this life.