Spring Break '09

My friends and I started brainstorming Spring Break months ago. I have never really done anything big or exciting and so this year I decided I was going to do something fun. After much debate we settled on Arizona.
I did the most sponatanous thing I've probably ever done in my life with this trip. After plans of staying at our friend Justin's house fell through, our friend Jessica suggested we stay with a guy she knew that lived in Gilbert(right outside of Mesa)she called him right then and he said yes! Very excited we departed early Saturday morning for a very long drive.



I was the navigator for the trip. Me navigating, who'd of thought

The drive may have been long, especially since I'm prone to car sickness, but since I had never been to Arizona I found the drive so fun! I especially liked the portion of Lake Powell you can see right before Page. I got to see Wahweap where my two best friends lived adventoursly one summer : )

We finally arrived at our destination and met our hosts for the first time, and oh man were they amazing! After a quick tour of the house they immediately took us out to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings(and they weren't even ashamed to be seen with us in all our beauty of no make-up and pajamas). Once we got back Jaron got out his dirtbike and immediately started taking us on rides. We rode all through the neighborhood and took lots of shortcuts : )



Our first night was spent hanging out in Tempe/Mesa area. The boys took us to a drive in movie where we saw Race To Witch Mountain. Afterwards we headed to Club Red where we danced the night away and shook out built up stress for hours.







Sunday morning we woke up to breakfast in bed! well kinda, Nate woke us up so we could eat. He made eggs, bacon, french toast, and had gotten the best kind of orange juice: simply orange. We ate on the front sidewalk and enjoyed the morning sun before we changed into suits and headed to the pool. It was so nice outside! I took the second book from the twilight series to read over my vacation so I popped in my earphones and read about Edward while soaking up the sunlight. It was so relaxing and the sunlight always makes my day.


After a quick spruce up we headed to Mesa where we went and walked the Mesa Arizona Temple grounds. It was such a peaceful place and it smelt amazing! The grounds are covered in flowers of every color and scent and it was seriously beautiful.





We rushed back to Gilbert because we were late for making dinner for the boys. To try to re-pay them for being the sweetest boys ever we cooked breadsticks, fettucine chicken alfredo, and salad with brownies and ice cream for desert. The night didn't stop there! They took us to a bonfire by the lake, the boys were hilarious and kept us laughing the whole night.






Monday was declared a girls day where we borrowed Jake's GPS and headed to go explore Phoenix. We had plans of attending our first pro baseball game but after the GPS lead us to an abandoned field our hopes were starting to get a little weary. However, after a few phone calls we were back on the right track and arrived to the Cubs vs. Brewers game. We chose the lawn where we could watch in the 90 degree weather. We cheered in our matching Cubs tanktops,and even though our team lost it was still lots of fun.





The rest of the day was spent spending money at one of the malls in phoenix. I rationalized all my spending on the fact that I had saved so much by the boys paying for everything up to that point. With that in mind I bought two new seamless cami's(most amazing things ever) about 8 new pairs of earrings, two new shirts, and yet another pair of high heels.
Back at Gilbert we got some In & Out Burger. Now I only have the California one left before I've ate at one in all the states. Later, I got to drive my dream truck! Matt had a black, jacked up, Toyota Tacoma TRO sport that he let me drive. He took us to a restaurant Bj's to get pizzocookies. It made my whole trip to drive that truck and it just re-instated how much I love tacoma's and how I will get one someday.






One hot car obviously wasn't enough for the night because Jake also took us for a ride in his Camero! See what I mean about these being the sweetest boys ever, we were so spoiled. He obviously thought he was as hot as his car...

Tuesday morning was the final day and we couldn't think to much about it because it was so depressing! I had fallen in love with Arizona and was already getting anxious to come back. We opted for one more day at the pool then got some Bahama Bucks before cleaning the house, packing up, loading the car, saying goodbyes, and once again made the long drive.

This was the funnest spring break I've ever had... yet : ) A huge thanks again to the amazing "strangers" who took such great care of us and showed us an awesome time.

Accepted!

On Tuesday the 17th I received my letter of acceptance to SUU's nursing program!!! I was on my way home from Arizona when my roommate Julia called me. She said she had just checked the mail and there was something there she thought I might want to read, knowing the letters were supposed to be out this week I panicked thinking oh crap here's my first rejection to nursing school. Just as I was about to tell her I'd just read it when I got home she said "It's not just a letter, it's kind of a big envelope". With that said I put my phone on speaker as she opened my letter and read it to me, however as soon as I heard the word accepted I started screaming and shaking out of excitement, I shook so hard my phone shut off and I didn't hear the rest of what the letter said, but I read it for myself when I got home just to make sure I had heard her correctly.
So it looks like this nurse thing is really going to happen. In two years I'll have the RN title : ) I'm so relieved I got it, finally the hard work from the past 3 years has paid off and I actually have a direction as to where I'm going with life and can quit doubting that all the detours I had to take(like transferring, getting screwed on pre-reqs) to get here were for a purpose and I'm really supposed to be a nurse. HALLEJULIAH!!!

vacation...

Tomorrow morning, 6 am to be exact, I am on the road to a much needed vacation. Me and three other friends are going to Arizona!! I'm pretty excited about it mostly because I've never been to Arizona, minus the small section you drive through on your way to vegas. It's going to be 4 days of sunshine, boating, lakes, wakeboarding(maybe if I get up the guts), tanning, shopping, eating, and relaxation! so tonight I look forward to painting my toenails, packing up my shorts, bathing suit, and short sleeve shirts! (after I get off work of course)

Then once I make my return from AZ I get to go home for 5 1/2 days! also very exciting for me, minus the fact that I get my wisdom teeth out that Friday. But i look forward to resting, getting some reading in, and watching Twilight over and over again after I buy it : )

Needless to say I'm very excited about the upcoming week and cannot wait for tomorrow to get her.

Crazy days...

The past week and a half now have been crazy days at work for me. My supervisor has been gone on medical leave and so I've had to be two people, her and me, for about two weeks now and let me tell it's hecka stressful! Last week not only was I new to typing up service plans(she usually does that) and had to do 12 in one week, but I also had to: hire two new people, train three new medaides, and help with 4 new move in's. Needless to say the previous description sums up my 17.5 hours of overtime last week, yes that's right 57.5 hours were put in by yours truly in a course of 5 1/2 days : )

Anyways, enough of the complaining/negative part of the post! I've been trying so hard to stay positive and happy through this all and yesterday while I was pondering how to do this through all the madness and series of things going wrong one right after another, I came across some pictures on my phone that made me bust out laughing, literally in my office all by myself laughing out loud. They were pictures that instantly reminded me of how blessed I am to not only have such a job, but also to have such amazing co-workers! Without some of them I would not make it through a day, let alone a week like last week. So I figured I would post my amazing findings and share some good times whether you know them or not : )

I get little notes for me left in the most random places...


Dinnertime=photo time


Amazing housekeeper! Hilarious woman I tell you. New mop head shipment had come in and she took the statement literally. It's amazing how we get excited over the littlest things in that place.


Sometimes when we come on shift at 6 am there are presents waiting for us outside when we get off that we never expected to find.


When we get sick we have to wear masks 24/7! this is my 3 week long look during the pneumonia quarantine


Lately the new thing has been the strictness on hair nets...






The med rooms are real spacious work area's, especially for hiding medaides : )


Thank you all for being so great and for making the crazy job of healthcare even more enjoyable!!

Rascal Flatts Concert & Meeting the Band

February 26 2009 will now stand out as a date that I remember forever. Not only was it my first Rascal Flatts concert but I also got to meet them! here's a run down on how the night went:

First of all we(we being my two sisters, my friend Brook and I) wanted to get to Salt Lake early to avoid rush hour and any other complications that could have made us late for the concert, plus get a good parking spot.

It was still light outside when we got to the arena so we took the opportunity to sneak some pictures with the tour bus's parked out front.


They were trying to imitate the band but it didn't quite turn out the way we'd planned.

The next stop was the gateway to find food and restrooms. After a quick Panda Express dinner and a potty break we headed back up to the arena. I must say that on this walk to the gateway we were all trying to sneak peeks into the trailors and trying to see on the loading docks just to try and glimpse of anyone. My sister Channy even confessed her love to the security guard, of the band even though he thought otherwise.

With about an hour and half until showtime we found ourselves standing in the cold at a tailgate party where the country music radio K-bull 93 were giving out backstage passes and front row seats. They were having people call a cell phone number and callers like 5, 7, or even 12 would win. Of course everyone around you has their phone's out and unless you were a winner all you got was a busy signal. but then...

They announced it would be the last back stage pass given away of the evening so I got out my phone anxiously, almost more anxious for it to be over cause I was freezing to death, and dialed the number. After two tries with a busy signal I pushed send one last time and it started ringing. I freaked out immediately but in the back of my head I knew he was going to tell me I was only caller 3 and to try again. It was so loud and I couldn't hear so I just started yelling into my phone "Hello! hello! did I win? Am I caller #5?" All I could hear in response was "Where are you?" My arms immediately went into the air and I started waving obnoxiously. He told me to come up front and even as I started walking I couldn't believe it was me he was talking to. He asked me what my name was as I got closer and told me, "congratulations you're going to meet rascal flatts!" Before I even had the pass in hand I turned to the crowd and starting screaming and jumping up and down. The lady tapped me on the shoulder and handed me my pass and told me to get to the portal immediately, and that I was the only one that could go.

After a picture of course I took off running into the Arena and headed to the portal I was instructed to. However, the ushers kept sending me to the wrong place and panicked I wouldn't get through I started running despite the workers telling me to walk. Finally I was pointed in the right direction and headed down the stairs behind the curtain. The man so graciously informed me I'd made it just in time before they close the enterance(It was about 45 minutes before Jessica Simpson was to take the stage).

I was ushered into a room where people lined the walls surrounding it. Shortly after a man came in and gave us the instructions: No personal photography was allowed and that they'd be taking one professionally for us, No cell phone usage, No asking for personal autographs since we'd be receiving one, and no bags allowed by the band. He exited the room and not long after everyone started clapping and cheering. I looked around the corner and sure enough there was Rascal Flatts in the same room as me.
I decided to break one of the rules while I waited in line and started sending a text to let my family know that I was about to meet Rascal Flatts.
The line moved slowly but before I knew it it was my turn. Gary the lead singer turned to me and said "Hey Cowgirl come on over here!" I shook his hand as well as the other two members. They asked me if I was a roper cause I looked like one and I told them I wished I was. Then we posed for the picture, they patted me on the back and said "Nice to meet you. Have fun and enjoy the show" I informed them that I would and thanked them. I was handed my autograph and personal items and left the room.

Here's a picture of the professional one they took of us. Not very good quality on here but the best I can do to show people on the internet.


Even though it may have only been for a short moment I loved every part of it. The things they said and did were hilarious! and they were so nice and seemed very sincere, real and down to earth. I'm not sure why luck was in my favor that day but I'm so grateful for the once in a lifetime opportunity I received.

I made my way back to my seat and the rest of the night was spent singing my heart out to my favorite songs. They were amazing performers and I didn't want them to ever end. I was laughing so hard at some points but yet their songs always have a way of touching me to the point I was almost crying at some parts. Needless to say it was amazing and worth every penny. Here are so more pictures from the amazing night.





our souvenir t-shirts

To sum up the experience: tickets $85.00 + Cowgirl getup $25.00 + Parking $5.00 + Souvenir t-shirts $30.00 = a lot of money

Meeting the band, rocking out, and making memories with three of my best friends = Priceless : )

illness

yup I caught it. This is the third week that I've been suffereing through/fighting an upper respiratory infection and a sinus infection. It started one sunday night and when I got up for work at 5:30am the next morning I felt horrible! After a week wearing a mask at work and coughing up a lung every 5 seconds I finally went to the IHC instacare and got some happy pills : ) Needless to say Amoxicillin and Mucinex have been my best friends the past two weeks. I'm still not back to 100% though and even though I know that being a workaholic makes it harder to heal I'm ready for it to be over, seriously enough already.

3 Years...

It's been 3 years this month that I've been working as a CNA. Holy Cow time flies! I can still remember my first day of class and how I went home practically in tears telling my mom that I was quitting the class and was no longer going to be a CNA. My mom of course, being the rational and positive one, informed me that I was not going to be a quitter after the first day and that I was going to go back and give it my all. I'm so glad I have a mom like that and even more grateful that I listened to her. Getting my CNA has been one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

Over the past three years I have had the blessing of taking care of the elderly in two different nursing homes and one assisted living facility. It's funny to think that I was one of those kids who absolutely hated going to the nursing homes in primary. When the adults would make us go around and shake their hands I was so scared of them and couldn't wait until we got out the doors and I was free from what I believed were the crazy people. Now I practically live at my job and have adopted so many grandparents over the years.

Of course there is always a down side to what I do... I have lost a lot of those that I took care of and grew close to. Death is something that learning to deal with comes with practice, and I've had lots of it. I'll never forget the first resident I cried over loosing, and how I thought to myself, "how am I ever going to do this?" Now I can't help but smile when they go because I know their in a way better place and out of the pain that some have fought with for so long.

I have learned so much about life from those who are on their way out of it. Many I've crossed paths with have been such an inspiration to me of how to live life with love, passion, health, ambition and determination. Old people are also the most blunt people and they can usually make or break your day. However, my residents never fail to bring a smile to my face when I see them every day. I love them all so much! I truly do think of them as my own family. Granted I do look forward to being a nurse one day and getting a change of scenery in the medical field, something besides Geriatrics, but for now I couldn't ask for a better job.

Not only have the patients/residents I've met and taken care of made an impact on my life but I've also met some of the most amazing people through my fellow co-workers. Some of them even changed my life in ways I never would have imagined. People always tell me that it takes someone special to do what I do and to be honest I don't always see it in myself but I definately see it in those that I work alongside on a day to day basis. I can honestly say some great health care professionals lie in ones I've met/worked with. My job reminds me of my belief that everyone I meet really truly is for a reason, whether big or small.

It's amazing how what seems like the simplest decisions/choices end up making the biggest differences in my life : )

Finally!!!!

My nursing application for SUU's nursing program is finally done and in!!!! Hallelujah! I just turned it in today, and talk about being a procrastinator because it's due by noon on Friday. Phew! Now I just hope the department checks their mailbox daily so their for sure to get it. The stress of getting it in may be over with but now I continue to wait to see where I'll be come Fall '09 and what I'll be doing. Waiting is a very frustrating thing for me and I just want to have my future all planned out(well as far as schooling goes that is).
The benefits of getting in to the nursing program at SUU would be:
#1. I would know where I would be attending school come fall and I could start making plans like roommate's and housing.
#2. I will know my graduation year. No more guessing how much longer I'll be
in school. And it will only be 2 years instead of 3.
#3. I would graduate with my bachelors, not just my associates.
#4. I could possibly be accepted into the program with some fellow co-workers
who also applied, and that means I could already know some of
classmates.

They are all really good reasons to get in but there would be a down side to getting accepted.... right now part of me loves where I'm at in my life and that if I don't get accepted here I could go pretty much anywhere else I want. If I get in I'm going to have to get used to the fact that there's no leaving Cedar City for two years, minus my weekend trips to Provo. It would be really hard but I can do it!!!

Superbowl Sunday

Gotta love the Superbowl...parties : ) This Superbowl Sunday was probably the funnest one I've had. The weekend itself was already really good, my friend Brook came down for a visit along with some guys from Logan & Orem who also used to attend school/live here. Our friend Cody and his roommates were throwing a party for the big game and not only are they big into the game but their whole front room is a projector screen and love sacs.



The weather was amazing for February and the boys took full advantage of it by playing their own little football game. Us girls took advantage of the sun as well by rolling up our pant legs and cheering the boys on.




Of course it wouldn't be a Superbowl party without food and I snacked pretty much all afternoon! Rice and Meatballs, Chips and Dip, Oreo's, M&M's, Veggie tray, and tons of Coke were some of my favorites. A Few of my other friends were also watching the Superbowl so right before halftime we stopped in to say hello to them, sample their snacks and leave haha.

I was personally rooting for the cardinals to win, but even though my team lost it was still a great day and I had so much fun.