It was a gorgeous weekend here in north Texas. I went out and played putt-putt for the first time in years. I even managed 4! hole-in-ones.
I have good memories of playing putt-putt with my Pepaw. When we’d go to visit for the summer, he’d take us to the playland while my grandma was at work. We play a round of putt-putt, and then spend our tokens trying to earn tickets for a grand prize at the end of the summer. It was always a time of serious concentration as we’d sit down, count out our tickets and decide what we wanted. Trading in the tickets was always a sign that the summer was coming to an end.
I want a new hairstyle. Any ideas?
Muzak City
One of the last things I expect to hear while dining in an Asian restaurant near Houston? The muzak version of El Shaddai by Amy Grant.
Seriously.
Online Nursing Degree Programs
Since I’m currently enrolled in an ADN program, I’ve been doing research into bridge options for different advanced nursing degrees. Earnmydegree.com (focused on ‘Helping Working Adults Earn Their Degree to Advance Their Career’) ordered up a review and I do like what they have to offer.
With many sites geared toward generating education leads, it can be hard to find the program that you are most interested in researching. Earnmydegree.com makes this process easy with their clear navigation across the top of the page that divides the education options into several categories. You can browse by degree level, degree subject, online colleges, and campus programs.
Once you drill down to the page with information on online nursing degree programs, the site has taken the extra step to provide some additional information on advanced nursing degrees. Did you know that there was an online MBA/MS in nursing program? I didn’t, until I looked at this site. For someone interested in business management and nursing, this seems like a very viable option.
And, I like the quote at the bottom of the page: “Nurses are angels in comfortable shoes.” — Author Unknown
There are so many companies out there who don’t really care to provide a service to their customers — they just want to generate the lead. When a company takes the time to add in these little details in order to truly customize their offerings, customers will notice and appreciate them.
If I were to make any suggestions, I’d recommend they look at the font color for the slogan across the top of the page “Bachelor’s, Master’s, and certificate degrees in nursing, travel nursing, and more. Advance your career with a BSN or MSN.” On my screen, the color is really hard to read. I’d also like to see an area for student reviews on the schools, and/or more personal opinions and experiences dealing with each institution.
Overall, if you are searching for online nursing degree programs, Earnmydegree.com is worth a look.
Seven Things
In awe of his big gunz, I couldn’t turn down being tagged by Badblood. Here are seven things you might not know about me:
1. I, too, saved someone’s life. It happened the summer before I entered 8th grade, while I was attending church camp. After walking down by the river, I came back to the campsite and my friends were buzzing around, “Laura’s choking!” I could see my her passed out on the floor. I sent people to get adults, did the Heimlich maneuver, cleared her airway, and performed mouth-to-mouth. Once the adults showed up, I took off running. I ran through the trees until I couldn’t move any more, and I collapsed crying. I will never forget the feeling of hugging her once I finally calmed down.
2. As a senior in high school, I was voted Most Likely to Succeed and Most Reasoning.
3. Speaking of school, I was very involved in activities. I was the head athletic trainer, played trumpet and percussion in band, played soccer on the guys’ team, president of SADD, president of FTA, honor society treasurer, member of student council, I emceed all the shows and award ceremonies, and I said the morning announcements over the loudspeaker. Notice I was not in the chess club — we didn’t have one.
4. I’m not meant to be on the road when it rains. On the way to a football game, our van hydroplaned into the bus in front of us. An ice chest landed in the middle of my back, and I couldn’t lift my arms for several days. In my early 20s, I hit a concrete dividing wall head-on going about 60 mph because I lost control in the rain. To this day, I get very tense every time I’m in a car when it’s raining.
5. I know what it means to “see my life flash before my eyes.”
6. While working for Microsoft, I gave a presentation to a group of 10 people. Yep, Mr. Bill was one of them.
7. I like to slow dance on rooftops.
I Need a Hug
Things are always crazy when I come to Houston. My sister just found out she’s allergic to everything (and yes, she’s allergic to so many different things, I’m just going to say everything). No beef, gelatin, cow’s milk, cheese, cashews, sugar, chicken, turkey, mushrooms, blueberries, vinegar, malt, yeast, barley, rye, wheat, green olives … there are plenty more, but you get the idea. Isn’t that crazy? We went to Wal-Mart last night to try and see what options they had available. At 230a. Yes, we are those strange people who give stores a reason to be open 24/7. While we were looking around, my sister decided I needed a shirt that says, “I need a hug.” It worked on my nephews, so I’m not complaining!
Today, she fixated on finding me a dress. Yes, you heard me. A dress. I’m not sure how I let her talk me into these things, but I now have a lovely dress that flutters when I twirl around in it.
We also trekked out to the Apple store and found her a bright, shiny new Mac Book. I using it now, and it’s been a very interesting adventure so far. Other than configuring the wireless settings of traveling salespeople, I don’t think I’ve touched a Mac since I was in the 8th grade. What goes around, comes around, hmm?
Finish the Sentence
by Jaxia @ 10:54 am on May 8, 2007.
1. I’ve come to realize that my last kiss was: too long ago.
2. I am listening to: small birds chirping, and the wind through the trees.
3. I talk: to myself.
4. I love: finding new things to read.
5. My friends: are my family.
6. My Car is: too cute!
7. My love life: is where I want it to be.
8. I hate it when people ask: questions when they don’t want the answers.
9. Love is: is a good comic strip.
10. Marriage is: what you make of it.
11. Somewhere, someone is thinking: about you in a tinfoil swimsuit.
12. I’m always: ready to try something new.
13. I have a secret crush on: If I told you, it wouldn’t be secret.
15. My cell phone: can beat up your cell phone.
16. When I wake up in the morning: I make my plan for the day.
17. Before I go to bed I: play a few games of Sudoku.
18. Right now I am thinking about: getting ready for my trip to Houston.
19. Babies are: the future.
20. I get on myspace: when I get an email that says I have a new message/comment.
21. Today I: have to fix my computer.
22. Tonight I will: curl with a new book.
23. Tomorrow I will: see what the future holds.
24. I really want to: find some clarity.
School’s Out for the Summer!
Guess which nursing school student made a 99.6 in clinicals, a 99.1 in skills lab and an 85 in lecture? Yes, yes … the grade whore in me is very distraught over the B, but the realist in me is still doing the happy dance. Our class lost about 1/3 of the nursing students who were admitted at the beginning of the semester. I’m just so thankful that I made it through!
Yay!!
Comic Book Dreams
I had a very intriguing conversation about comic books which led me to question my lack of interest in them. I finally decided it must be because of my dreams.
I dream in storyboards. The scenes are sketched out, with just a hint of color shaded here and there. I can actually see the pencil/chalk lines (I guess my inner artist fancies pen & ink over paints). Occasionally, there will be a word or two on the page, usually to add emphasis. Overall, they remind me of architectural proposals or movie staging. Since I do the same thing to everything I read, the images in the comic book conflict with my own visuals. It’s like falling in love with a character in a book, and then totally hating the actor picked to play him in a movie because that’s not how you pictured him.
What about you? How do you dream? Do you dream in color? Does it look like a live action movie? Are you a participant, or a passive observer? Are people speaking your “first” or “primary” language? Does anyone else dream in storyboards? If so, how do you feel about comics?
Swoon
David Anders, Taye Diggs and Amy Brenneman all in one episode of Grey’s Anatomy?! I think my fan girl crush-o-meter might be experiencing a serious meltdown.
P.S. — This is me trying to avoid studying for my nursing lecture final that I must take tomorrow at 8a.
Herbie The Lovebug
While it may not sound like much to some of you, my weekend was packed! On Friday, I met up with a friend from college (yes, from the first time I tried that whole education thing) who I last saw over 10 years ago. She was in town to celebrate the birthday of a friend, and they were kind enough to let me tag along. I had a good time — I got to catch up a bit with my friend, meet some new people AND I learned how to make sangria at home. Can’t beat that
On Saturday, SK and I took Toby to spend the night at the lake house. Since the drive is through hill country, I was looking forward to seeing the wild flowers in bloom. The sky was overcast for most of the weekend, but because of all the rain we’ve had recently, everything was green and in full bloom. Springtime is a wonderful time to drive around Texas. I guess we weren’t the only ones to think so — at one point, we stumbled across what seemed to be a VW convention! There were Volkswagons all over the place! SK even pointed out one that was painted like Herbie the Lovebug. I didn’t realize there were so many different kinds of VWs out there.
After we made it home yesterday, I did some studying, and then had dinner with Jac. I’m trying to be good this week and get in a lot of studying. I have a test on Friday, and my final is coming up soon! My first nursing major careplan is due this week, and I’m a bit nervous about it. We did get some feedback on our mini care plans, but there’s such a big difference between a major careplan and a mini careplan. This major careplan counts for 20% of my grade in my clinical class. 30% comes from the various skill checkoffs, and the last 50% is the subjective evaluation by our clinical instructor. I sure hope she’s in a good mood when she does mine! I wonder if she likes chocolate chip cookies?
