best friend weds.

I first met Melissa when we started nursing school together. She's one of the best friends ever! seriously she's always so thoughtful, helpful and did I mention she's crazy fun! We've obviously had many memories made in the past 2 years and I wouldn't have survived 4th semester without her.
Melissa got engaged back in October to Evan, and as sad as I was to have another friend enter the married world I'm so happy for them because they are the nicest people and the best part is I still hang out with the two of them and it's great. The 3 of us even took off for a late night trip to Mesquite one night before graduation : )
The big wedding took place June 4 in Kanab. I had ventured down to Cedar City that Friday to meet up with my other nursing pals to make the trip to Kanab. I loved that weekend, despite the worrying about my test results all weekend, because it was all of us back together again and I've really missed them since graduation. It was my first wedding with the whole hotel wedding party, outdoor wedding etc... but we rocked Kanab like it was 1999! we kidnapped Melissa the night before for a bachelorette party-along with her cousin and the best man's GF. There isn't much to do in Kanab and everything including food places close early so after we pretty much begged this restaurant to feed us we took off to the nearest and only bar within miles which was in Fredonia Arizona. Yes we are that cool to cross the border for our bachelorette party. We improvised melissa's bachelorette attire with what we were able to find in small towns and the result was hilarious if I do say so. Not as hilarious as the podunk bar with the live band that loved us because we were the ONLY ones dancing away on the dance floor. You could definitely tell we were not locals : )
The wedding was beautiful and the bride looked gorgeous! we spent the morning getting the bridesmaids hair curled in our room all morning and running back and forth between Melissa's parents room to ours, (and me checking the laptop every 1/2 hour to see if our results were posted seeing as how Melis and I had taken it on the same day, same time) but it was worth it. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Orton love ya both!!

Party animals!!! (get it...we're partying in between 2 animal heads. love small towns!)



I forgot to mention that before we left cedar we got free glitter gel toes! Thank you starving student card.





My friend Ty. and his Tie....
Friends for life thanks to the nursing program!! oh and Chandie her cousins face is popping up in there too. Horrible picture of us. Ty needs to work on his photography skills obviously.

Congratulations Best Friend. Wedding. Love. Marriage

unemployment.

I'm in a funk. to make a long depressing story short let's just say, I thought that graduated life would take off faster and differently than it has. I feel so worthless not having a job, seriously some might think it's nice to have any responsibility etc... but honestly I feel like my nursing school knowledge is draining away one day at a time. I hate not having an income, I mean in school it was a great excuse because my schedule was worst than a job and didn't allow time for one but now I have no commitments, no deadlines etc... I can't plan my life, my summer, or anything. I go through on a day to day basis. I'm a stress case to add to the problem, I sit and worry and stir about how I'm never going to find a nursing job and that I'm going to have to move to another country where there's not 5 thousand nursing schools within 12 miles of me. I sit and get so sick and start stressing so much I'm making myself sick to my stomach all over again like I'm taking that stupid test. anywho, I'm in this weird depression funk where I'm disappointed with life lately, and it's irritating mostly because this should be the happiest and exciting time of life.....things are different.
However, I'm trying to not get too down and let it show because despite my job, and roommate frustrations life really is great! Truly it is and I'm blessed in so many other ways so I hate complaining. The other day a random thought crossed my mind that I need to enjoy the journey. Struggle with that a lot, because I stress and worry about things out of my control and it was a great reminder that while things are not totally great or totally how I wanted them to be at this point of time I need to still enjoy life, everyday!!!
"life is what you make it. So take it and make it beautiful." on that positive note, I'm off to have a NYQUIL induced sleep because these allergies don't give me no rest.
-B.

PS. I got my license in the mail already!! It came last week and I was so happy when I got it that I couldn't stop myself from having a mini(okay pretty long) photoshoot with yours truly and the piece of paper. I may have crazy emotions running through my body these days but I'll admit signing my name on a registered nurse license is awesomeness, unemployed or not.

Uncle NCLEX

I'm a nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and now that it's all over and I passed my test the secrets can come out such as test dates etc...
I'll never forget the day I set my test date. The anticipation of the dreaded e-mail showing up had been dragged on forever as it showed up much later than what we'd thought. I'd been checking my e-mail about 10 times a day and that morning I checked it and there it was, an e-mail with my ATT(authorization to test) and a number and website to find dates to register. I pulled up the website, and set the big date for June 2, 2011 and 2 PM. I freaked out that day, and proceeded to freak out for the next few weeks. I was really nervous about this test, and as I allowed it to get the best of me my former test anxiety from high school came around and I was always sick to my stomach and scared as all get out. weird I know, but biggest test of my life!!
The morning finally arrived, I swear I double checked I had everything (my ATT, picture ID, etc...) 50 times before I drove off to the freeway. I had gone up earlier in the week with Candice and Brookie so they could show me where it is and such so I didn't have stress about where I was supposed to be. The drive up I actually listened to church music to calm myself, had a mini panic yelling attack when I parked my car in the parking lot and walked into the building. I checked in an hour early and was relieved when they told me they'd let me take it, sweet. I read the rules, signed my sheet, got the fingerprints and paml vein scan what felt like 50 times, sat down and tried to smile for my picture, did the vein scan one more time.

My proctor was sitting in what I nicknamed the control room. A tiny "room" with computers all over her desk, a massive glass window overlooking wall to wall lined cubicles and computers(looks like a call center). She gave me rules and patted me down, okay not really but pretty much have to airport frisk you, and led me in to my computer. Suddenly the room was REALLY hot, and I began to get question after question. My computer shut off at question 76 and after one question above the minimum questions for the test I was sure I failed. I walked out to my car, got in and immediately just sat and cried.
Thankfully the story from the worst day ever looks up to the best day ever, June 4, 2011 when I checked my account on Pearson Vue to see in all red letters that my test results were available. I paid the money for quick results( I wasn't about to wait a month) and sure enough popped up this little box where at the bottom read
GRADE: PASS
I dropped the laptop throwing my hands in the air and once again started crying. Don't make fun of the tears, you can't describe this feeling unless you've been there. It's seriously the best and worst thing ever! I was so relieved to be done and so happy I'd done it on the first try. Life couldn't be better!
I'd like to say that I did it alone and that it was just me that takes the credit, but I can't. Holy hannah I have the best support system ever. Seriously, family, friends and others thanks for putting up with me these past couple of years and especially these past few months. The drama of nursing school, and NCLEX is over!! I'm done. finally all done. Now I just gotta find a job....
much love! Brittany Olsen, RN, BSN :) : ) : )

ps. the story behind the title comes from Ash, I started packing around my KAPLAN NCLEX book with me everywhere because ya never know when you could catch a few practice questions and/or get some reading in. Not that it really ever happened for me but I felt less guilty doing whatever I was doing if I had it with me. anywho, ash nicknamed it my boyfriend and when I passed the boards she told me she didn't know how Kez would cope having to say goodbye to uncle NCLEX. let's just say I'm happy to say goodbye : ) such a great break-up boyfriend. I hope the best for each of us in our parting!

life of late.

I love summer and I'm so glad it's here!! even though I've been doing lots of studying everyday I've been able to have lots of fun. I'm so glad to have my best friends here close so after a rough day of studying or just short on time we can go get a treat, catch a movie, etc... their great. I've done more than just get treats lately.

Kite Flying...

Night Y hike followed by a "bonfire" roasting feast up the canyon...








another night hike to re-visit the spanish fork hot pots or natural hot springs from 2 summers ago, turned out to not be such a great idea. The high waters of the raging river that runs alongside them was so high that it had washed the hot pots out... but I found a hose where they had tried to tunnel the water into one so we all got into one big huddle sitting as close as we could and going from person to person spraying them with the hot hose to prevent hypothermia : ) we're adventurous that's for sure! turned out it wasn't a good idea but luckily I still had a blast anyways, and who can't laugh about something like that not-so-pleasant surprise, and after the freezing 3 mile hike back down we went to Denny's to warm up!





Girls Nights...
One in particular. Danny, J.Love's husband, called me a few weeks back and wanted to plan a night where we could surprise Jess with a girls night out free of the cute kiddos. I was so excited! Luckily it worked out to be on the same weekend as the 5 year reunion so J.Pate was in town : ) Jess and I went shopping while Jenny made her way from the airport then we had a delicious dinner at a new restaurant(ish) place called Communal, shared deserts that we ordered after they had closed. It was SO fun to be together again, without their husbands and babies it felt like back in the high school days and we just laughed and talked about life and where it was taking all of us these days, etc... one things for sure that was decided, We'll be friends forever : )


and many many more things I'm sure, smaller activities that I guess weren't picture worthy : ) I've been doing LOTS of studying and LOTS of practice test questions. My life lately besides allowing myself some fun time at night consumed of being in sweats or basketball shorts, not ready for the day studying at my little desk for hours each day then hanging out at the fam's house. With the pre-test jitters I'd actually started taking baths!! I think baths are gross, and everyone who knows me knows I'm a shower gal, but I was so sick all the time stressing about and dreaming about this test that I started taking baths at night and turns out only way I could relax. weird but true. I also still drink lots of diet coke in preparation for this test, let's just say that McDonalds dollar large soda's are genius and a result of my graduation money now being MIA...
anywho, life is good. Summer is great! thanks for finally showing up summer, it's really nice to see you again.

D-Day.

D-day aka test day is right around the corner!! Since I'm not saying when the test is I'll just say... Pray for me, and keep your fingers crossed for me so that within a very short period of time I may be a nurse. a Real nurse with the big ol RN behind my name. that is all.
off to study...

kobe.

Before my best friend took off to serve the lord in Chile she came for an over night visit to the CC and the morning she left she left notes on notecards all over my room and in hidden areas. Some more obvious than others. I thought I had found them all when one day I discovered one as I went to put on my cowgirl boots I felt resistance and low and behold I found one. I text her telling her I was still finding notes and she was thrilled saying she had purposefully hidden some to take months to find so I'd still get them after she left. Well yesterday her goal was met as I was sitting at my desk studying and decided to use my medications cards and I found this...

Guess who cried?? that's right because I can cry so easy these days. It's amazing to me how she's thousand of miles away and yet still manages to know when I need her most : ) love you my lil sista kobe!!! thank you. thank you!

People.

I'm not talking about people magazine, although I must admit that I have been very intrigued by the latest issues at the check out stands as the royal wedding saga and pictures continue, but I am talking about people in general. You see lately I've had more free time on my hands than I have had in months and I've not spent it the best way I could be but I have been doing what I love lately and that is people watching!!!
I love staring at people, and not in a rude way but sometimes it is, because people are so interesting!! I love looking at mannerisms, body language, and behavior in general. I've also noticed recently in my people watching that I'm surrounded by some great people in my life who teach me a lot, and while I already knew they were great just taking a minute to observe them aka stare I realize even more how much I admire them or look up to them. My favorite example this week was watching my dad take the time to make sure our single lady neighbor got her lawns mowed and edges trimmed. I love that man, he's so great!

I also get amazed by how lazy I am when I look at other people being so productive, adventurous and creative in life. I've never been one to cook, scrapbook, makes bows, or do anything but school and work pretty much but I have some goals that I'm looking forward to when I don't have the guilt trip of a test and finding a job hanging over my head. I've been inspired of some things I need to do in my life.

people watching this week has reminded me to try a little harder to be a little better. thanks peeps!

blah.blah.blah

I set my test date yesterday, that's right the big NCLEX will be taking place soon(date being kept secret so if I fail I don't have to face everyone asking how it went etc.. I can simply go on like I hadn't taken it yet.) I was freakin out all day and was seriously sick to my stomach with a massive headache majority of the day. Growing up is hard, and this reality check is coming so soon that it doesn't feel real that the day I've been anticipating and "preparing" for is here, set in date, penciled in the planner. So weird. Weird enough I couldn't study all day because I couldn't concentrate.

I'm super frustrated today. Studying and taking a sample test this morning left me in a terrible mood so I turned to Grey's anatomy for comfort as I frequently do. I love that show and seriously it relates to real life SO MUCH!! (and not just realitive in comparing of patients conditions and what s/s are talked about although in school it was not uncommon for us fans to shout out "oh yeah like on Grey's Anatomy! Grey's anatomy had an episode about this!!"). Because it relates to life so much, and I swear more relative to my life a lot, it is not uncommon for me to cry. Don't judge. So as I turned for comfort I should not have been surprised when I found myself in tears 90% of the episode. I won't spoil anything because it was the season finale and although I feel it was lame comparision to the past 2 season finales nonetheless shouldn't be spoiled, but there was something that was talked about that I loved. For instance a quote that talked or said something among the lines of...."I always thought I would be alone. In fact I always wanted to be alone. Not that I can't love or don't want to be loved but because if you do love someone and lose them it is hard to recover and is similar to tissue damage. Although, tissue damage could be repaired or removed and healing occurs, this type of healing could go on forever..... Being alone is easier. It's comfortable." I couldn't agree with grey's more.

Life is crazy. it really is and I bring it up often because it amazes me sometimes when you look back on life and think I never thought I'd be here, or I always thought I'd be doing this, living here, having that, etc.. by now. Life rarely happens or works out how we plan or try to plan. It can be exciting and frustrating yet in the end it's still a miracle that somehow we end up happy! Thank goodness I'm no in charge of planning where my life goes, although I still like to try.

I was at channy's house yesterday when she brought out a new book by Elder Holland, a thought and picture book, and one of them really stuck with me: "No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse." I'm trying to take that in and stop whining about everything. I'll try hard to not bring up the words boards, NCLEX, test, studying, in every sentence of conversation for the next few weeks. However, before I totally commit to that statement lemme say: I can't help but feel so inadequate and retarded these days. It's weird when everyone talks to you and tells you how much confidence they have in you and how great you are, blah blah blah. and yet when you look inside yourself all you see is fear and inadequacy, and want to just hide under the covers and not get out of bed!!!

Man I would really LOVE it if this rain would stop. A rainy day is great but a rainy week at the first of summer?? come on already!

lately.

graduated life has been good to me so far, minus the fact that I
still have to study and should be more than I am and that I still don't have notice of test dates available to take the test. Studying for the biggest test of my life and not knowing when I'm taking it is not fun, and stressful enough to make me wanna vomit! however, things are good!!
Last week was actually pretty busy. Some highlights of the week included: Talking to Elder Olsen!! My brother is a stud which is no new news, however it was really good to hear his voice and talk to him for over an hour. Man I worry about that kid and miss him so much. I never thought I'd miss being harassed and teased as much as I do : ) I feel bad for him though, Mexico doesn't "believe" in eating dinner and the poor kid must be starving to death. Let's just say he pretty much admitted to losing the 10 pounds he'd gained in the MTC. Also he found the idea of putting Jesus stickers/pictures all over his packages hilarious! and to quote "I don't think I'd even dare open it". It was good to hear him laugh and sad to hear him tear up talking to Kez.

I finally went and paid an overdue visit to Jacqui's mom! It was so good to see her again along with her sisters and of course roxy : ) We chatted about what's new in life, how things were going and how our missionary is doing and what she had via skype on mothers day. We laughed as always and she started in on my case about starting to actually give guys the time of day now, haha! we'll see about that one. however it's nice to know that I'm close enough again to go visit more often.

Celebrating Brookie passing her RT test as well as pranking Adam, jacqui's brother. We're easily entertained and lucky enough they thought we were just as funny as we thought we were and actually went along with our plans to meet at the set meeting point.

The Surprise party of course was a huge part of my week, as already discussed.

Friday we found ourselves in Salt Lake all day with Grandma and Grandpa G. Grandpa had a doctors appointment at the VA and so we decided to make a day of it. While they were at the doctors we bummed around temple square and saw some things we hadn't seen before, along with enjoyed running into our cousin Robert. Lunch at the Lion house along with the grandparents first time in the museum. It was a really fun, HOT day.








I also finally met little Avery : ) I made the drive to Nephi Saturday for another long overdue visit to the McKinley house. Avery is adorable! and as always it was good to see Jess again and see her in action rocking the mom of 2 thing! Max is a character of course and once he woke up from his nap I tried to redeem myself for almost making him fall out of the wagon the previous night(long story), and by the time I left I finally got a high five!! Can't wait to play with this fam more often now we're only 45 mins apart instead of hours.

A hilarious late night Chili's run with Erin, brookie, and candice. our Waiter probably thought we were smoking something, mostly candice haha, but we had a lot of fun and candice and I also had a lot of food!! well worth the ill feeling, those chips and salsa along with chocolate molten and diet coke are delicious!!

Sunday dinner with the fam and guest : ) "Brittany why don't you come sit over here and tanner can squeeze in over there" haha oh boy it was a treat!! I'm so grateful to be close to my family's house again. I've missed these sunday dinners, walks, FHE, and game nights.

So that's pretty much what I've been up to lately! Added in with cleaning, organizing and trying to decorate my new place. My roommates are nice, interesting but nice, good thing is I have this giant room, giant closet, and giant room to contain me and occupy my time! I wish I had more kitchen space but since I don't use it very often I guess I'll be just fine! point is no drama... yet : ) hoping to keep it that way!! I've also been chatting on the phone frequently with Cyndi and Analisa back in Cedar about life and things occurring down there. I miss them and I miss Melissa and Jess too. good thing Melissa's wedding is in a few weeks and we can re-unite! Also, I've substituted my daily Brad's diet cokes with visits to the McDonalds by my house, large drinks for only $1! Mickey D's is going to be knowing my vehicle very soon I'm sure. So there ya have it, I'll post some pictures for my viewing pleasure soon of the new room when I get a few more pictures on the walls(vaulted ceilings are causing a slight complication) but we'll settle for this now to just show you I have my own hallway....

See. It's huge, not even half the room!! that's my own bathroom down that lil hallway. I actually get to remember what it feels like to get ready in a bathroom again after a year of getting ready in dim light on the floor in front of a full length mirror in my room : ) I still need to investigate how to get CMT in my room, it's in the living room and I want it!!
Oh today we surprised my mom with a luncheon for mothers day, I love that woman and forgot to do a shoutout due to her day being thrown in and overshadowed by the big graduation weekend. But I do love you mama and I'm so grateful for everything you do for our family and especially me. You're my biggest fan club, personal assistant, psychologist, etc...and I couldn't do it without you. Thank you thank you!!

I watched a movie tonight that made me miss my brother even more and made me also made me miss Jacqui having a cell phone!! Let's just say something borrowed made me tear up in multiple parts and that's lame but I really wish I could just call up jacqui and vent to her and have her listening ear like I used to. Also wish I could drive over to my parents and see Taylor standing there in his "Jimish ways". Lucky for me, today was p-day and I got an e-mail from both!! and both with pictures. I got Taylor's this morning and Jacqui's tonight(someone upstairs knew I needed to hear from her today). Here's the hooligans...
brother I'm proud of all your baptisms. I'm also extremely jealous of your tan : )

Turns out his older sisters have taught him something in life!!! never ever would have thought a picture like this would surface. looks like missions change people afterall.

that's all for now. I should probably take a few more test questions tonight, and stress more about the upcoming test. Then I'll do something fun and relaxing in my massive room before bed! life is good.