So...I have not written in quite some time, mainly because I have a ton of pictures to post and I haven't gotten around to downloading them. I'm going to write without pictures for now :).
Heavy on our minds: Ike
First thing. I want to let all our friends in Houston know that they are in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with all the aftermath of hurricane Ike. We've been thinking about you all, and we wish everyone a smooth transistion back into their normal daily routines.
Updates from here: New career. Last week I completed two more pre-reqs for nursing school. The classes weren't tough but time management wasn't easy. Working and taking two online classes means a lot of time at the computer. I started to feel like I was getting carpal tunnel, so I got a new mouse pad at work (one with a wrist rest) and the pain went away. As I was excited to finish up my two classes it was also the time to start getting my application for nursing school ready to go. The school was trying to make a very important change this year that I was anxiously awaiting. Currently, the first year is an accelerated BSN. You take every single class that a BSN student would take, you just squeeze it all into one year, instead of two. In this accelerated masters/doctorate program, they have not been awarding a BSN after this first year. Instead, you are supposed to go off and get a nursing job (without any sort of nursing degree, just an RN) and work as you get your masters for the next 3 or 4 years. This really bothers me. The fact that you complete all BSN coursework and clinical work, and pay almost $40,000, and then to walk away without any sort of degree…? I know the school does this because they do not want people dropping out of the masters/doctorate program after the first year. By not awarding the BSN, students really don’t have a choice but to keep going for the next 3 or 4 years. The advisor even admitted that trying to get a job as a nurse without any kind of degree can be an issue. However….it is a must as many students (including myself) need to be making some money while going to school for then next 3 to 4 years. The change was supposed to be made this year, but as they updated all their information for the new year, the change was not made. I was really banking on this change for many reasons. First, I want the degree I work for and pay for, and I want the option to take my time through the doctorate portion in order to take in account…say a future family. This lack of change from the school has really put me at a crossroads. Do I want to be a nurse? Yes. Do I want to go to school for the next 5 years? Not in particular, but I can do it. As I narrowed it down further and further, listening to all the school’s informational sessions, something else was really bothering me. The fact that students have to spend 3 – 4 years in school to get a nurse practitioner degree (doctorate) is another issue I have. Getting a doctorate to be an advanced practice nurse is new. What has changed? Well, the amount of school has certainly changed…but has the scope of practice? No. Has the salary? No. Heck, five more years in school, I could get a medical degree. Frustrating. Is this just one of those brick walls? You know… the brick walls that are just there so you can prove how bad you really want something? A brick wall to separate the ones who really want it versus the ones who don’t? Where does this leave me? For the time being, I am going to stand down on my pursuit to becoming a nurse. Whether this means for this week, or this year, or forever…I don’t know. I am disappointed, however my spirit is full, and I know I will find my way. Okay…now off of the subject of career. Wait, one more thing. The show “The Office”…it is becoming my reality. Craig and I love to watch this show. I’m not sure why since we both watch shaking our heads with our hands over our eyes, saying, “oh no…is he really going to do that?” or …”oh no, here he goes again” or…, “oh no, this is so awkward” or worse of all... “That happens to me all the time.” I don’t know who writes for this show, but I do know they have worked in an office, an office full of engineers, and more than likely, he sat at my desk. People…The Office is real. Come see me at work sometime. You’ll know. You’ll get it. Not funny. Yet I can’t stop watching.
Next up. We have a trip next week! We are going to my sister’s wedding in Colorado. She is getting married on Oct. 2nd. After the wedding we are heading to Rawlins, WY to visit Craig’s family. Two new babies have arrived, so we are anxious to meet them! Maybe I can get the pictures of my family’s visit to Anacortes posted before we leave…we’ll maybe….I’m a lazy picture downloader.
One more thing, I have to mention. We finally found a church here we really like. Although we live in a very small town, there are a lot of churches. We went to a lot of them, and we finally found one we both really like. The congregation is pretty big and the people are so welcoming. The services are traditional, and they do communion every Sunday. We like that. They also did a baptism yesterday. The ladies of the church made a quilt for the baby being baptized. After the baptism, they wrapped him in the blanket. It was really sweet. The twinkle in the baby’s eyes reflected the twinkle in the older woman who wrapped him in the blanket. I did all I could not to tear up. It seems that it will be a good place to get involved and maybe even start up a new Sunday School class. We’re excited about this.
Alright, thanks for sticking with me through this short story…almost a novel of a blog!
My sister has been telling me to see this movie since it came out. She loved the movie and fell in love with Wall-e. So much…that she wanted a Wall-e. In telling Craig that she wanted a Wall-e, he excitedly jumped right in explaining how we can totally get her one, they are selling all over, and they are a really popular stuffed toy right now. I had to laugh, and then explain to him…no…she doesn’t want a toy Wall-e, she wants the real Wall-e. “Oh”, he said (sounding kind of disappointed). Maybe we’ll get her a toy Wall-e for a wedding gift.
