Life in General

The last few days have been pretty rough.  With my daughter gone and my husband working, I haven't known what to do with myself.  My friend told me, "You're always so busy, you have no idea what time to yourself feels like."  True.  Then she went on to say, "You could make some whoopie pies and deliver them to me at work ..."  So, I'm wondering if she was just angling for some free snacks.

Mmmm, whoopie pies

I have been on duty for the local ambulance, but we haven't had any calls.  Granted, that's a good thing, but still doesn't give me anything to keep my mind busy.  So I've slept ... a lot.  I think I've kind of surfaced out of my funk that I was in for those few days, but the house is still rather empty.

Today, I slept in (only because I worked an overnight shift Sunday), but did get my butt out of bed finally.  I mostly contribute that to my friend whom is in the Master's of Nursing program at my same University and needed some help.  I'm constantly editing her papers and giving her suggestions on how to build them.  1)  I should have my MSN before I have my BSN; 2)  I'll be quite content with my BSN and will NOT, repeat NOT, be going to Grad school.  Ewwwww ...

I made some coffee and drove to her house versus sitting with my laptop and editing it like I usually do.  I needed out of the house.  I stopped by the fire station on my way home and confirmed plans to work on EVOC training tomorrow.  EVOC is an Emergency Vehicle Operating Course which I need to continue to work for the ambulances and now fire department.  I currently have been driving one of these (minus the push rack, though that would be a nice addition):

No, I do not live in Dallas

EVOC will also train me to drive these:

Me?  The driver of an ENGINE?  HELL YEAH!!!

I told the Chief when I applied to work there, "Do not get the notion that I will EVER go into a burning building."  Now, I'm working my way towards the Engine and Pumps.  My friend who is a Nurse and also a full time Firefighter/Paramedic remarked, "Just wait till you go to training and start smashing out windows and destroying stuff.  You'll be hooked."  I just cannot picture me "packing up" with a SCBA and going into a place that could very likely collapse on me.  Nah, I'll hang out a nice distance away ....

I made the full circle back to my house and started puttering.  Well, cleaning up the dining table (dumping spot) led to, "Hmmm, maybe I should Windex it since it's pretty dusty."  Then, I looked up at the window sills and the panes.  Hmmm, that's a lot of dust and ickiness, too.   So, armed with Windex, I just kept finding more things to clean.  The dishwasher needed loaded, laundry needed switched over, "hmm, that bathroom sink/vanity could use a scrubbing," oh that can go in the trash ... it was a feast to my ADD delight.  I swear I have Attention Deficit Disorder.  I am so distractable and get started on 8 things, before I get done one of them.  Puttering to clean my house is the perfect task for my ADD since it all gets done eventually, but when I'm sick of Windex, I can do something else for a bit.

I'm happy to report that all laundry is done, folded and put away even.  Still have a few items on the drying rack, but they'll be ready to go away tomorrow.  I'm on duty, working on EVOC, and hopefully doing more productive things.  It will be weird for my husband to come home to a cleaned, dusted, and organized house.  He might wonder who abducted his real wife!

A Menagerie

Chaos ... that does not begin to describe my life ... but at least it's more of an "organized chaos."  Yes, I'm aware that's an oxymoron.

I heard back from the other Scholarships that I applied to.  Sadly, I did not receive them, but I am happy to say the amount I did receive covered what I would have had to take out as a Private Education Loan (at a substantially higher interest rate).  Therefore, I'm very grateful for the two I did receive.

For a couple months, I have felt like this guy:

"Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller ..."

My nursing school was supposed to place us all by mid May.  Arrive mid June, and I'm still saying "Partnership?  Partnership?  Partnership?"  I had applied to two at what would be referred to by locals as the "Miracle Center."  I had excellent references, resume, and clinical performance - what I needed was someone to grant me an interview so I could pitch myself (which I HATE doing).  That did not happen, so then I waited a fretful week for my instructor to return from the West Coast and make a phone call to a community hospital to attempt to place me there.  The community hospitals are not as stuck up as the MC and do not require job board applications, but they sometimes require interviews and slots were quickly filling since I'd waited so long for a reply from my first two applications.  My instructor did not call like she said she would when she returned.  That's when I took matters into my own hands.

Tuesday, I was partnered on the local ambulance with a Medic who is a longstanding employee of that Community Hospital (they run their own EMS service).  He had even been Chief of Service for a decade prior to returning to "just being a Medic."  I vented my frustration at not having a Partnership yet and my instructor's lack of follow through.  "I think I know just who to talk to ..."  Yep, he did.  We went to the Nursing Education office in person and found the TWO correct people to talk to.  I was only expecting to get an interview, but the lady with the list gave me my choice of whatever was open (which I was correct that slots were filling fast).  "When your school gets around to calling me, I'll tell them you're all set."  I did the best to contain myself prior to leaving the building ... but when we left, I'm not ashamed to say that I looked something like this:

 

Well, sans the pink ... I was in EMS field gear at that point in time.  I also hugged my partner and squealed like a school girl - prior to composing myself and climbing back in our truck.  I got the area I wanted, at a hospital local to me which also happens to be a critical access hospital.  Translation:  they see A LOT of patients with "interesting" cases and coordinate transfer to bigger hospitals or treat and discharge home.

I can't shake the feeling that the Partnership was handed to me due to who I was standing next to.  I'm not above using my connections to land an interview, but having things handed to me due to who I know just doesn't sit well with my conscience.  All I can say is that I'm going to prove that I would have earned it on my own.  Maybe I'll even earn a job there after the Partnership and Graduation.  

Oh yeah, Graduation.  I'm an odd graduate ... I officially graduate in December, but I was able to walk in May in the big Commencement ceremony the University holds each year.  I'm almost 30 and wanted to walk with my Class of 2012.  Unfortunately, the pictures of me in a cap and gown have made everyone think that I've graduated already.  They keep asking when I'm going to take my Boards and start working.  It sucks to have to keep telling them I only walked.  Then they saw the Partnership announcement on my fb page and thought I was leaving them (I currently work in a hospital as an ER Tech) for another hospital.   It will be nice when I only have a couple work titles (RN and EMT) versus CNA, Tech, Secretary, Greeter, Registration, and EMT.  

Tomorrow, our daughter boards a plane to visit her Grandparents for 8 weeks.  It happens every summer, but it doesn't get any easier.  Luckily, Grandma keeps her busy with horse camp, girls' camp, and other adventures.  This year may even include Busch Gardens.  

I can also say this is the first time in my memory that I've been truly grateful for my brother.  Coincidentally, his work booked him on the same flight our daughter is taking.  He even coordinated seat assignments so they'll be sitting next to each other.  It makes me feel so much better that she'll have her uncle (who's 6'9" and somewhat burly) to accompany her. 

The best part of tomorrow is that my Grandmother is riding with us to the airport.  It's nice to spend time with her catching up on family stuff.  This is a Grandmother that tells it like it is.  "Well, I only have a few useful grandkids, the rest are useless.  If only they'd get off their butts instead of wasting oxygen lazying around then maybe they'd contribute to society."  Plus, we're going to go and see my niece and nephew (her great-grandkids).  My brother may be flying, but my sister-in-law is the better half anyway.  :)  And I haven't seen my niece and nephew since Christmas.  So ... of course I'm bringing toys.  I strive to be the "cool aunt," though of course I'm my brother's only sibling and the other aunts live out of state.  So, I'm already a few notches up.  Hahaha!

Just For Laughs

Yes, I'm a Slacker

Actually, if you knew what my calendar looked like, you wouldn't call me a slacker.  But, when it comes to this blog, yes I am.  Life is chaotic and since school has been done for Spring semester, my laptop has hardly been opened.  I need to figure out how to email my posts and send them from my phone.  So, it's time to catch up. 

Spring semester ended with Commencement.  No, I do not actually graduate until December, but I walked since I'm class of 2012, not 2013 (as a December grad, I'm given the choice).  I'm NOT going back to that campus after I graduate, unless our daughter decides to attend in 6 years when she graduates high school. 

We had a a few nights out, one with our daughter and the next night was adults only.  Then we packed up and headed to NH/MA to for a few nights to get away for our wedding anniversary.  Grades rolled in and I checked for my last one as we drove onto Cape Cod.  I shrieked (and freaked out my Hubs) when it came in as an A- which meant A) Dean's List; and B) Graduate Cum Laude for my Degree.  If I hadn't transferred from another College to the University [making those credits null towards my GPA], I would be borderline Summa Cum Laude.  Oh well, I'll graduate just the same, but Honors is nice just because I'm almost 30 and didn't go to college until I was 25.  Makes me feel like I didn't "lose my brain" completely [I was a great student in high school].

I've been working [A LOT] and our daughter decided to play Rec Softball this year.  Practices and games are chaotic - I don't know how parents do this year round for different sports.  Our daughter has always done karate and has participated in tournaments, but nothing like the chaotic schedule of softball.  Years ago, we had started playing catch and she missed the ball, got hit in the face, and never wanted to play again.  We didn't push her too much on it, but her best friend has been playing Rec ball for a few years and finally got her to try.  Luckily, her bf's dad is also the coach, so with our work schedules, he has been able to transport her to games and I arrive shortly after it has started.  She's enjoying it, though, and improving every day.  We've finally gotten it through her head that she's not going to be a star player from the beginning, she was getting frustrated way too easily.  Academics have always come easily to her, throwing distance and running bases were new.  They won their first two games and have another one tonight.  We're headed to the batting cages tomorrow for some practice.  We started doing that last year and I forgot how much I enjoyed playing, too.  

Hmm, you may wonder why there is a picture of a seat belt on my blog.  I work for 2 EMS services.  One is in my hometown and I have to commute to the Station for duty.  The other is for the next town over and I live 3 miles from the Station - that means I can take call from home since I have a pager.  I also have a radio so I may acknowledge calls "on the air" even if I'm not on call.  I'm also innately curious, so when I'm not on call and my husband is away for work, my radio is on so I can listen and help if needed.  A few nights ago, in the midst of a long work stretch, I crawled into bed after showering with my alarm set for 0415 (T-minus 7 hours away).  I was out of bed 5 minutes later, redressed, grabbing my radio, and out the door.  A multi-car MVC with rollover, possible entrapment, and probable CODE (someone dead/dying) was paged out - less than a mile from my home.  It was a spectacular crash - and I mean that in the sense that parts of one of the vehicles were everywhere, not spectacular as in "KEWL, DUDE!!"  No one was wearing seat belts.  Injuries were extensive.  Multiple ambulances were paged/responding/arrived/loaded/transporting in an amazingly short period of time due to the rural-ness of the location.  We almost requested a helicopter. 
I was back in bed in under an hour, but it took a while for the adrenaline to dissipate.  At one point, one patient was yelling at me he couldn't stay still and it hurt too much.  "You may have a spinal injury, I'm waiting for equipment to arrive."  He continued to argue.  "If you ever want to walk again, stay put and let me do my job.  If you want a wheelchair for the rest of your life, go ahead and get up."  He stayed put.
Now, I'm not going to be a hypocrite and tell you that you must wear a seat belt when I freely admit that don't always wear a helmet on my motorcycle.  But, if you don't wear a seat belt, be prepared for people like me to show up.  We are trained to prevent further injury.  Let us do our jobs or be prepared to face the consequences.  If you're lucky, it will only be a wheelchair and not a casket.

Still On A Roll ...

I received an email from the Director of the School of Nursing ...

Dear [Student],

I am pleased to let you know that you will receive a scholarship of $300.00 from the [Scholarship Fund] for the final semester of your BSN program, Fall 2012!  A letter of notification will be mailed to you on Monday.

:: YIPPEE!! ::

That makes 1/2 of the scholarships I've applied to have responded, and positively at that!  Still waiting to hear from the 2 others ... hoping to keep this momentum going.    I looked into the specific scholarship and found that it's in memory of a former nurse who was also a devoted wife and mother.  That fits me, except for the former nurse part ... gonna be one soon!

Now if only I could get on a roll and start my psych paper for the semester ...

Who, ME?

So today has been a productive day.  I hadn't thought so entirely, but I'm going to check it off as one.  I did some laundry while I was doing homework.  The homework was to analyze and compile the surveys my group did for our Community Nursing class.  I made pie charts out of everything and was in absolute heaven.  Yes, I'm a geek and I own it. 

On the way to pick up my daughter from her friend's house (my neighbor and I have rotating Thursdays/Fridays for them our girls to play together), I got the mail.  "Junk, junk, bill, more junk, oh and likely more junk" was what I thought when I was looking at the sender names.  Two were form the University:  One was from the bookstore about Graduate Gifts (To the Family of the Graduate) trying to sucker my family into buying things that I don't need; the other from the Alumni Association (who has definitely already started asking me for money even though I haven't even graduated yet).  I then remembered that I had applied for scholarships this year, but didn't know who the letters of denial would be coming from.  I have applied for multiple scholarships through the years, but always get denied due to my husband's income hence I hadn't applied for any recently and decided to give it one last ditch effort before I graduate this December.  

I opened the letter and started reading:

Dear [Graduate],
Congratulations!  You have been awarded the [Scholarship] sponsored by the Senior Alumni, for the 2012-2013 academic year. 

:: INSERT HAPPY DANCE, WHOOPING SHOUT, AND JUMP INTO THE AIR HERE ::  (Yes, I did all three things at once and I'm not ashamed to own it)

The Scholarship is actually worth $1750, but it's divided over 2 semesters and I only have one left.  I'll take $875 and run with it, no problem.  That's $875 less that I have to take out a Private Student Loan for (I don't qualify for any grants or much in subsidized loans, so I always have unsubsidized loans plus a hefty Private Loan each semester).  The biggest plus is, since I'm only in school for one semester, I may not HAVE to take out a Private Loan due to this Scholarship. 

Yes, today has been productive indeed. 

Absence

I did not realize, until today, how long it had been since I'd posted.  Spring Break has come and gone and I've been back in class for a week already.  There wasn't anything spectacular about my break ... just a lot of work and housework.  I had to go back to work to escape the housework! 

Spring Break was nothing like a “break.”  I ran practically every day.  It also reiterated why I detest fb … a lot of people I know traveled this SB and went to warmer weather.  It snowed here … rained … and we have a bunch of ice in the driveway.  I love snow … as long as it shows up in December and January.  Not like the crappy winter we’ve had … then we get hammered in March with storms.  Not. Fun.  I never even looked at my skis this year, though my daughter did go a lot of times (seasons passes are great). 

My SB consisted of work, including some overtime, so that was nice … and homework, that was not-so-nice.  I am writing a paper about Substance Abuse Policy and how it has evolved (and how it still doesn’t work).  My research has been very enlightening.  Did you know that it used to be legal to buy Morphine in a kit that was tailored to help people self-inject it?  It was sold in the Sears Roebuck catalog (where else?) in 1897 for $1.50 each.  Granted, they hadn’t discovered how addictive Morphine was (yet) … but that’s kind of amazing.  I don’t have a link to cite it (it can be found by googling DOI: Io.or17/Soozz226Xoioo6z89), it was an article I had access to by being a University student.  The name of the article was US Prohibition and the Origins of the Drug Trade in Mexico by Gabriela Recio.  If you’re able to find it, I highly recommend it. 

The last few days of SB was spent preparing for my daughter’s 12^th birthday.  Already?  Wow.  She had a couple friends sleep over.  I made pizza and cut up fruit for "make your own fruit salad."  They ended up just bringing every bowl of fruit into the living room and munching.  My friend decorated the cake for me after I made it and the frosting.  I just didn't have the time [or interest] to decorate.  My mom always did ours, and I know how [I have done many cakes over the years], but this year just didn't fit with everything else I was doing.  I refuse to buy a store cake, since I grew up with homemade they just don't taste right.  My friend loves to decorate them, but hates the mess of making them.  DEAL!  Plus, I brought her coffee and cinnamon rolls for breakfast when I picked it up. 

The girls played Just Dance 3 on the Wii for about 4 hours, with only one short break.  They definitely slept well that night!  I always make breakfast, usually pancakes.  This year we also had what was left of the fruit to go along.  They danced some more before lunch and then it was time for me to do errands so the friends went home.

I accomplished a lot of homework at work during break also.  I'm one who loves to check things off my list of school work ...

Case study [not due till Apr 12th] - done! 

Care plan [not due till Apr 5th] - draft done!

Community vital stats [not due till Apr 11th] - done!

Self assessment paper [not due till Apr 3rd] - drafted, but still working

NCLEX questions to prep for 4 exams - ongoing till I drop

I look forward to next winter when I will have graduated.  It’s been a long road, but I will finally graduate before Christmas this year.  That will be a total of 5.5 years, and a lot of year-round school in the beginning (yes, that means a lot of summer school).   I will be on a Carribean cruise by next January.  Well-deserved and earned.