First Day

I survived my first day of school.  I feel like it was a huge accomplishment because it was not very fun.  It should have been really easy because two of my labs were canceled so I only had one class.  No, it was mega stressful and I got a headache early in the day and it didn't go away until 10pm.  It was manageable until I was sitting in lecture, then it got worse, and then it got even worse when I got home.  I took two Motrin at school and they didn't help at all and so I took two Aleve when I got home and those finally helped a few hours later.  Yikes, let's hope the rest of the days aren't quite as horrible.

I'm not even sure what was so bad.  I hung out with a few people I met all day.  We got a table in the library and studied for a few hours before lecture.  I did some work-work for about two hours and then switched to reading for my lecture class.  It took me a bit longer to read because I was interested in the stuff and didn't just want to skim through it.  Then I decided I wanted to go for a run before lecture.  By the time I changed, headed out, and got back I only had 15 minutes before class so I had to change super quickly (while I was still sweating) and run to class.  The class was pretty good but they went over so many different things for lecture and lab and community clinicals and exams and quizzes that I was pretty lost.  It was a bit intense. 

Here are some observations I had throughout the day:

1) When people around you stress out, it makes you feel worse.  I need to surround myself with more people who have positive energy because it was not helpful that the people I was sitting with were stressing over everything.  I am really trying to approach school the same way I did work and that is with a positive attitude and with a calm outlook.  I can stress or I can not, and I will be in the same place and still have the same amount of work.  I would prefer to not stress.  We'll see how long that lasts.

2) A lot of people are already friends and I feel like an outsider. Not the best feeling, but I hope I find some people I really connect with.  The people I hung out with yesterday were really friendly and fun, but they were already friends and they didn't really click with me in the sense that we were going to be best buds.  Maybe after a while we will bond, but it would be nice to get to know everyone and to find some common souls.

3) Running in Baltimore is WAY different than running in DC!  When I lived in Baltimore before, I ran up in the northern part, but now I am in a completely different section of the city.  Most of the streets were ok and not too sketchy, but there weren't a lot of people out (walking around or running) and it felt way different than the streets of DC that are filled with runners, tourists, Secret Service, etc.  It was pretty though and a nice route.

4) My days are a lot more busy than they were at work.  I had more down time at work where I could take a breather, chat with my co-workers, make a phone call, etc.  Yesterday was pretty full of reading, working, and attending class.  I guess I got a run in there but it felt like everything was so much more scheduled, and it is.  I am bound by my classes and study times and I don't really make my own schedule.  However, it is exciting and fun learning new things and being in a school environment.  

5) The bus ride is much shorter!  It was so nice getting to class and home in less than an hour combined.  So much less time wasted on a long commute.  Of course,  no napping or anything, but I can deal with that without too many problems.

6) I can still drive a stick shift.  Ok, not really related to school but kind of is.  We got our new car from my co-worker and it's a stick shift.  Ivan made me take it out for a drive and I didn't die once.   I learned how to drive on a stick shift and my first car was a stick shift that I drove for about 6 or 7 years.  I didn't particularly enjoy it and I will always prefer an automatic, but it is kind of like riding a bike.  Once you learn you don't ever really forget.  I drove it home from the bus stop yesterday and am still slow going into 1st gear but I moved and didn't die.

I think those are my only comments.  I am on the bus heading back to school today.  I have some readings to skim before my 9am class and then I have an afternoon to get some more work done before heading home (my afternoon class was canceled).  So, first day was a mix of everything: excitement, stress, nervousness, interest, and everything in between.  I will be happy when I feel like I have things figured out and get into a routine!  And I miss my fun co-workers and hope I meet people as cool as they are.

And because I have no pictures of school yet (I am sure snapping candid photos around school would not help me make friends), here is a fun picture of Evan from this past weekend.

We went to the playground a bunch of times throughout the weekend and he wanted to bring his fox each time.  Mimi made it for him and he put it down the slide numerous times.  He also gave him a few kisses here and there.  It was pretty adorable.  It looks like he's picking his nose here, but he's not.  If you look closely you can tell he's just pointing to your nose - and that is because in order for me to get him to look at the camera, I asked him where his nose was.  This is him showing me his nose!

[EDIT:  It is now later because I didn't have time to post earlier and Day 2 of nursing school is a lot better.  I don't feel quite so overwhelmed.  And I met a new friend which is nice and she's in my lab group so we will be working together a lot.  ]

Last Day

Today's the day!!!  My last day of work!! 

AAAHHHHHHHH!!

Someone pinch me!!  It seems so surreal and I'm sure I won't notice that much at first.  It helps that I'm not actually leaving forever and I'll still be connected as a consultant.  I just won't really be back in the office and I'll only be interacting with a few people.

Here's what my desk looks like now...just a few more things to take home and a bit of dusk to clean up.

See that pink cup?  My sister bought that for me the first year I started here.  It's a hoops & yo-yo cup and it was hilarious.  It doesn't work anymore, but it gave me many laughs. 

I'm so excited about nursing school and this new chapter in my life.  I've had a lot of "chapters" and they have all been great experiences, so I'm sure this one will be too.  I already have homework - chapters to read before the first day of class.  Fun times, right!?

Thanks for sharing this journey with me and being there through work, pre-reqs, applications, and decisions!!!  I promise I won't turn all my posts into complaining sessions about how much school I have....

Have a great Friday and a fabulous 3-day weekend!!!

Thursday's Random Thoughts

I had so many thoughts about what I was going to write about today, but now I can't think of any of them.  So, I guess I'll give you some randomness.  Here are ten random thoughts floating in my head.


1) All I can think about right now is my PiYo Drench workout that I did this morning.  I was in Downward Facing Dog (my least favorite yoga pose EVER) and sweat was dripping off my thighs and my chin.  I was really sweaty.  And my legs still feel a little wobbly even sitting on the bus.  That workout was 48 minutes, so it's the longest one.  I kinda miss the beginning workouts that were only 20 minutes.  I will say my triceps pushups are getting better and Ivan actually noticed a smidgen of a muscle in my arm - so maybe I'm getting stronger....even if I spend a lot of time in child's pose!

2) An amazing thing happened this week.  Remember a few posts ago I mentioned that I wished I had a person that was 100% devoted to helping me out (for free - because I realize that that is a paid position)?  Well, God must have heard me because as I was complaining to my co-worker (for the umpteen millionth time), she said her dad might have an extra car that we could have.  Just like that.  And he did and he's willing to sell it to us for $1.  Not only that, but he's been running around town getting it ready and sprucing it up.  Yesterday he took it to get a new battery and was going to pay for it himself, and then when he explained that it was for someone who was going back to school and couldn't afford a car, the guy said he's donate the battery and put it in for free.  The whole this is just amazing to me and I feel like someone must really be looking out for me...because how often do people give you cars?  Never.  Even my parents didn't give me a car when I was in high school, I had to use all my savings bonds to buy their old car (mainly because they didn't have enough money to buy themselves another car, so they needed my money to put down a down payment on their new car - not because they were mean people or anything).  This car is significantly older, but it is still a gift that humbles me to the core.  And I do realize that nothing is free in this world and that it's gonna cost money to transfer the title, etc., and it's gonna cost gas money and maintenance and things like that, but it will be so helpful.  I can officially stop worrying about how I'm going to get to clinicals.

3) August has been a month of lasts.  Today is the last time I'll see my favorite co-worker (she's going on vacation next week), I had my last staff meeting on Tuesday, my last DC commute is coming up, my last paycheck, my last partner call, etc.  September will be a month of firsts.  First time wearing scrubs, first nursing lab, first nursing class, first time working as a consultant, etc.  What an exciting and scary time this is!  My stomach is in a constant state of butterflies.

4) Yesterday I tried Oats in a Jar for the very first time.

I had a bit of peanut butter left so I just put my oatmeal in there and warmed it up in the jar.  That way what was left of the peanut butter was softened and melted right into my oatmeal.  It was delicious.  I don't buy peanut butter too often because I eat it too fast, but the next time I do I will definitely be making this again!

5) Today I am going out for lunch, courtesy of my favorite co-worker.  We are going to i Ricci and I CANNOT WAIT.  I have already looked at the menu a million times as I drool thinking about what I'm going to order.  I love Italian food and rarely get it because Ivan doesn't like it.  Plus, lunch with my friend is always spectacular.

6) Evan got a new bedroom set yesterday.  Some close golf friends of ours had an entire bedroom set (bed, mattress, box spring, dresser, night stand, desk) that they were getting rid of and asked if we might want it for Evan.  Umm, yes please!!  Even though he still sleeps in our bed, one day he will need his own bed and this bedroom set is beautiful.  The wood is in amazing condition and is super high-quality.  I can't wait to decorate his room (on a budget...).

7) I can't decide what to do for Evan's 2nd birthday.  I know I don't want a party, but I still want to do something special.  A cook-out at the lake?  A family bike ride?  A trip to the zoo?  Rocks at the Nature Center?  I don't know.  I have to work that morning because another coach will already be gone, so we'll have to celebrate in the afternoon, but I still want it to be something he really enjoys.  We'll see.  Birthdays are stressful.  We are thinking of buying him a balance bike but I can't decide.  Anyone out there have a balance bike for their kids?  Do they like it?  Hate it?

8) Talking about sleeping.  Last night we had a super cuddle session in our bed.  Evan slept in my arms all night long, curled up right next to me.  I loved every minute of it.  When he does eventually move to his own bed, I will be a bit sad.  Cuddle time during the middle of the night is the best thing ever.

9) Ivan has liked every dinner I've made all week.  It's a miracle.  After ever dinner he has said, "That was a great dinner" (well, he says it in Spanish so I guess he doesn't say that exactly) and he only says that when he means it.  Often he says, "Thanks for dinner, it was ok but maybe don't make it again".  I make sure to write down all the dinners he likes so that I keep them in good rotation.  His favorite meal to date is my mom's Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.  He asks for it at least once a week and I make it probably twice a month.

10) On Facebook it's Throwback Thursday, so I figure I'll post my pic here too. 

This is an old picture from college (I'm sure it's obvious, but I'm the girl on the left in the gray Army shirt) - the first time I went to college.  We had a Model OAS team and each spring we'd head to DC to compete with all the other teams.  Our school took it mega-serious (although plenty of others took it as a time to party in DC) and it was a super stressful class, but I have some great memories from that time.  And surprisingly I am still friends with some of these girls!  I really hope I meet some amazing people in nursing school, although it will be hard to top the amazing people I met in undergrad and graduate school previously.  As exampled above - I really do have very special and amazing friends that I probably don't deserve.  Over the years they have done so many things for me and I'm not really sure I've done as many things for them.  Hopefully one day I can repay everyone for all they have given me in life.

Ok - those are my ten random thoughts!

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Tell me two random things floating around in your head.

Did you love or hate college?  Are you still friends with your college friends?

Transitions

Yesterday another graze box came.  Yum!  If you want to try a graze box, you can use my code at KATTRI44B and get your 1st and 5th box free.  I am loving it!  And I am not being paid to promote them or anything, I just thought I would share.

It is kind of fun seeing what little snacks come in each box.  I probably won't get too many more because once I start school I can't really justify buying a snack box once a week for $6, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.  For some reason I tend to migrate towards the sweet snacks rather than the savory so far.  Today I'll try a more savory one.

Yesterday I also wrote my first "transitions" email.  That's a euphemism for "I am leaving my job and won't be seeing you anymore".   I just sent it out to two people, my two partners on my current grant.  I will send out another email to everyone else I work with later this week.  It's sad and my eyes tear up a bit at thinking that this stage of my life is ending soon.  I really do love my current job and although there are plenty of frustrations, it is a great job and a great organization to work for.  I realize I will probably never have such a flexible work environment and such freedom to design and carry out a project. 

I also started to pack up my office.  When I first started here I brought a lot of stuff from home to decorate.  I figured that I spent more time in my office than I did at home so it should make me happy.  And it did.  It was filled with photos of friends and family, gifts from  Honduras, and various other trinkets.  Now it is all getting packed up and will probably just go into a closet at home since we don't really have any place to put it.  It really makes my office look bare though.

That's where I had a lot of decorations...and now, so much emptier.

I have agreed to consult ten hours a week, so I am not gone completely.  I just won't be going to the office anymore and will only be interacting with a few people.  It'll be different.  And hopefully I'll still have plenty of time to study.

Change is tough!  

And I'm not sure people really get it.  Everyone comments about how excited I must be - and I am - but on Sunday my neighbor hit it right on the dot.  She said, "You must be really scared" and she was right.  As excited as I am about heading back to school and finally pursing nursing, something I have wanted to do for years, I am terrified.  More scared than excited.  It is incredibly scary quitting my comfortable job, losing my salary and benefits, and embarking on an entirely new career not having any idea how the future will turn out.  Plunging my family into even more debt and just hoping it all works out.  Exciting, yes, but more than that -it's just down right scary.  Maybe one of the scariest things I've ever done.  Joining the Peace Corps and living in Honduras for two years was pretty scary too, but I think this is even more so.  My life motto has always been "Don't let fear stand in the way of your dreams" and when I make a decision I try to think about what I'd do if fear wasn't a factor.  And then I do that.  So, that's what I'm doing.  Yes, it's scary leaving my job.  Yes, it's scary taking out thousands of dollars in loans.  Yes, it's scary leaving my current career.  However, if I take all that fear away, nursing is what I want.  Therefore, I'm going for it.  And that's that.  

And for all you doubters out there, I've put a lot of thought into this - I didn't just decide it on a whim.  I didn't choose nursing because becoming a doctor was too hard.  And no, I don't want to be a Physician's  Assistant or work in Medical Administration.  I realize nurses are underpaid and overworked.  I know I'm not going to become rich.  However, if you know me, you'll know that becoming rich has never been a dream of mine.  I want to become a nurse because I care about people and I want to help them, take care of them, and advocate for them.  It's that simple.  And in case you're wondering - yes, about 90% of the people I tell about nursing school suggest some other degree: doctor, PA, medical admin, etc.  It's annoying and doesn't help my fear factor.

And that's the end of my rant.  :-)

And now a complete change of subject.  Yesterday I went on a 4.5 mile run.  I felt nice and strong the entire way.  I really think it must be the PiYo workouts I'm doing.  It must really be making me stronger.  Who knew that strength training could be so effective!!  I've only been reading that you should do it for years - this is the first time I've really been serious about it.  And it appears to be working pretty well.  Today I did PiYo Buns.  I was really excited about it because of my weak glute problem, so hopefully it will help.  All I know is I did a ton of squats.  Since I do it so early in the morning I'm kind of still asleep throughout the entire workout.  My legs feel a bit rubbery though, so I know I must have done something right.

Ok - I'm gonna take a snooze on the bus.  I hope you have a fabulous day!

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What is your life motto?

What's the scariest decision you've ever made?  How did it turn out? Please share!!

A Test Trip to Baltimore

Yesterday I had my first orientation day of nursing school.  It was a one day thing - the next orientation isn't until August and it is a one day thing too.  And then classes start in September.  I can't believe it's coming up so soon.  Crazy!!

The day started out with a SHORT commute. 

This was the picture from the window of the bus heading into the city.  Looks a little dreary.
Who cares though - it only took 30 minutes!!!

This was the best thing EVER.  Rather than sit on a bus for over an hour, my bus ride was a short 30 minutes.  This was amazing.  It felt great.  And the bus drops me off a block from the nursing school and picks me up half a block away.  Totally convenient.  What is not so convenient is how I am going to get to clinicals.  I have to be there by 6:30am and they could be anywhere.  So, I am not sure what is going to work - should Ivan drop me off (even if it's a 40 minute drive both ways?), should he bike him and Evan to my sister's (a good option in good weather but not so great in bad weather), should we borrow my sister's car the night before and then he could drive it to her house in the morning?  Would she even be up for that?  We have some logistics to figure out!

The day was pretty interesting.  There were several dates we could choose so there were only about 1/4 of the class at this session.  Most people looked pretty young and a good number were still finishing their first bachelor's degree.  However, I did make friends with another girl who was 33 and talked to guy who was married, so there are a few "mature" students like myself too.  And it's not like I don't like 22 year olds, but we are in very different places in life so I won't be hitting the clubs in the evenings most likely (not like I did that as a 22 year old either though).

In the morning we reviewed our classes and labs.  Our lab/clinical uniform is khaki scrub pants and a white scrub top.  It is pretty hideous.  It doesn't sound too horrible but khaki scrub pants are not cute.  Think about grandma pants with an elastic waist band in khaki - that's what they look like.  And a white shirt???  Really?  And because I have a tattoo on my wrist, I have to wear long sleeves.  Apparently there is a no-tattoo policy.  At least it's on my wrist and not my neck.  I'd much rather where long sleeves than a turtle neck!

Then we moved on to drug calculations.  We did this for an entire two hours.  This is super important and we have an exam on drug calcs the first month of class and we have to get 100% to pass.  If you don't pass the first time then you have two more tries, but still.  It's a bit nerve-wracking having to get 100%.  On the other hand, I sure wouldn't want my nurse to have only gotten 90% on her drug calc test - so 100% is probably a good policy.

The other review we did was Anatomy and Physiology.  Yikes!

Sympathetic nervous system?  Cardiac cycle?  I better do a bit of reviewing!  It wasn't too intense though.  And here's hoping I can handle it all.  Everyone (staff, current students, and alums) kept remarking about how difficult the two years were and how different it was from any other type of classes/studying we've ever done (actually learning the information and retaining it, not just memorizing it for a test and then forgetting it later).  I just need to be as organized as possible and really buckle down.  And get my family on-board with my schedule.

All in all, it was a good day and made me excited to start!  Anyone else out there make a crazy life change in the middle of their life????

What was I Thinking?

So I finally got my financial package to Hopkins.  I only have to come up with a $38,000 supplemental loan in order to pay the tuition.  Plus somehow get money to live off of, and to be honest, I don't think they give living expense loans to undergrads.  I think that that is a grad school thing.  I'm not sure what I was thinking when I applied to nursing school, how in the world did I think I was going to afford it??  Obviously I am not going to take out a supplemental loan of $38,000, if I even knew what type of loan that was.  I maxed out on federal loans (the limit is so low for undergrad), so maybe they are thinking private loans or something??  Maybe it's because I turned my paperwork in late and they didn't have much money left?  Who know, I just know it's not possible.

I still haven't heard from Maryland and even if I did get in, without living expense loans there is no way I can actually go.  My husband's salary won't even cover our rent, so we can't survive on it.  We'd need a little money to live off of and I am not sure that federal loans cover that.  

So I am trying to figure out what my options are...which are few and far between.  Of course I will try and meet with the financial aid people at Hopkins and see what they say.  But I have to be realistic...I kind of doubt they will give me an additional $38,000.  Maybe it's best to wait a year and apply to a direct-entry Master's program, because I would at least get more federal aid for a program that was considered graduate level.  Maybe it's best to just think realistically and put nursing school on hold and think about my life plan if I were to not attend.  Or maybe look at the RN program at the community college and see whether it's a possibility to go there part time and then transfer to a RN-MSN program or something.  None of the options sound great to me - since I kinda had my heart set on attending this fall.

I don't know.  It was so much easier making decisions when I only had to worry about myself.  Maybe it was a bit selfish to think that I could go back to school with a husband and child to support.  I will have to ponder these options for a while and see what works out.  When I applied I was just hoping something would work out and a miracle would happen and I'd somehow be able to go.  Umm, not the best plan.  Miracles don't happen that often for me.

Just this little miracle.

School is over (and no pictures)

Chemistry? Done!!!  I'm not sure if it was done well, but thank goodness it's over.  Last week the final was cancelled due to snow and so we had to take the make-up last night, a full week after we should have finished the class.  It was not ideal because I spent all weekend moving and didn't even get to study at all.  It was not a good situation.  I felt like I had to guess on a lot of the questions but I am hopeful that it turned out ok in the end.  Or that I had a high enough grade going into the exam that the final won't be the end of the world.  We shall see how it turns out...I may or may not divulge depending on how embarrassing the grade turns out to be.

The apartment is starting to look livable.  Ivan stayed home from work yesterday and put the baby's room together.  I will probably need to redo it because furniture is in front of windows and the clothes were dumped into the drawers, but at least he tried.  I still need a cabinet to put my food in though...it's driving me bonkers having it all over the floor in bags.

And the biggest adjustment?  Leaving the house on time.  Now we live farther away from my sister's and the golf course but Ivan thinks we can still leave at the same time.  So instead we rush around like crazy people trying to make sure I don't miss the bus.  And then today I waited at my new bus stop only to forget my bag in the car when I left and then my husband had to meet me at the mall and give me the bag.  I guess we'll get it eventually...just have to smooth out some wrinkles.

Work is crazy these days...busy and different somehow.  I feel like I fit in there less and less.  It's an odd feeling but one that I hope passes.  I have been there so long but it feels like somehow I am getting pushed out.  It's mentally exhausting and on top of it I have a lot of work.  Not a good mix.

Alright, I better get some shut-eye.  Twice now I've been up until after midnight...which means a short measly 4.5 hours of sleep.  Maybe I can get a bit more here on the bus.  Minus the fact that the guy next to me has the light on...

Happy Tuesday!!

Snow and ice

Wow, this weekend went super fast.  Maybe because I had a meeting all day on Friday instead of working from home.  And those three days of meetings really wore me out.  I wanted to sleep in on Saturday but Evan had other plans.  He was cutting a tooth and so pretty much was up all night.  I think he fell asleep at around 4am.  And then he was up at 7am.  Definitely not what I was hoping for after only getting a few hours of sleep all week.  He made up for it on Sunday though and we slept until 8am.

Sunday we got our first snow fall of the season!

It ended up being about two or three inches.  I was pretty excited.  Except that my friend Sarah was supposed to come and help me pack but we were too worried about the road conditions so she didn't come.  It was a good thing too because the roads were horrible.  However,  I was sad I didn't get to see her.  Hopefully she makes it on Saturday!

I put Evan in his new snowsuit (compliments of Mimi), and we took Dolce for a walk.

It was getting a little dark so it Is kind of hard to see Evan, but he was all bundled up in snow pants and a winter coat.  That little hat is a bit problematic because it likes to fall down and cover his entire face.  That made him a bit unhappy.  At one point I took him out and let him play in the snow, which he loved, but then getting him back into the stroller was a fight.  Dolce spent the entire time eating snow, which is so annoying because then he has to go out nineteen times in the next hour.  It's a struggle I tell you!

I did get some packing done, even without Sarah's motivation.  I also made English muffin bread, pumpkin soup, chicken soup, and chicken enchilada soup.  And Ivan nicely washed the dishes while. I gave Evan a bath.

This week is a bit stressful because I have my Chem lecture final tomorrow and then moving on Saturday...which means I have to be packed by Saturday too.  The other night while I was rocking Evan to sleep (I know, he's probably too old for this but I don't care), I heard rodents in the walls scurrying about.  I'm not sure if it was mice, rats, squirrels, or what - but it was disgusting and I was counting my blessings that we were moving to a better place (can it be worse???).  We just have to physically move to that other place and that is what stresses me out!

P.S. I found the BOB weather shield!!!!!  I had been looking for it for months and couldn't find it - and then I'm packing up the bedroom closet and found it in a bag.  I was SO HAPPY!!

Did it snow where you live this weekend?

Strange pizza, hide and seek, and next semester

So of course I had two posts yesterday, which is nothing short of a miracle, and then today I've got nothing for you.  Such is life, right?  Jam-packed one day and then empty the next.  At work I am trying to create an online learning course...I am a bit under-qualified for this and it is taking up all my brain energy to try and do it.  I feel like this happens a lot.  Anyone out there a Lectora whiz?  Wanna take a stab at designing a course for me for free?  Haha.

Since starting Chemistry our family dinners have gone down the drain.  I just don't have the time nor energy to cook a lot of meals.  Plus, Ivan annoys me and eats a big plate of food right before I get home and then isn't hungry for dinner.  Yesterday I made Evan a can of soup and some rice and I ate a pizza.  I had gotten some stone-cooked pizza crusts from Costco and decided to pop one in the oven for me.  I didn't want the plain tomato sauce with cheese though.  I wanted something different.  Enter my new pizza creation.

It was butternut squash, deli ham, and cheese.  I was afraid it was going to be gross but it was actually really good.  Evan liked it too.  He wasn't into eating too much last night because he saw the dog playing with a toy and got jealous.  The toy was Dolce's but Evan thought it was his so he was a little perturbed that Dolce was playing with it while he was trapped in a high chair.  Yeah, so dinner was super short.  

Then we played hide and seek.  I hid and Evan looked for me.  It was really funny and Evan loved it.  I love playing all night with him and not having to go to class.   Ugg, not too many more classes and then I have to decide what to do about next semester.  Do I just relax with no classes or do I consider taking a Spanish class or something.  I don't know what I feel like doing.  Or what I want to pay for.  Decisions, decisions.

I brought my running stuff to work today, I am determined to get in a few miles during lunch.  We'll see if that happens or not.  I was up until 11:30pm completing an online Chemistry assignment, so I am a little drowsy today. I hate running when I'm tired - except I am tired a lot these days and I have to get these runs in sometime or I'll never be ready for the half marathon!

Random Thoughts on Thursday

I don't have much to say today so I though I would just throw a bunch of random thoughts at you.  And maybe I'll throw in some random photos too.  Nothing like a bit of randomness to get us through a Thursday, right.

~ I didn't fall asleep until almost midnight last night.  I got home from class around 10:45pm, made lunches, washed dishes, washed my pump, got ready for bed, and then couldn't fall asleep for a while.  After thinking so hard for three hours in lab, it's hard to shut my brain off.  

~ On Wednesday after lecture I did two hours of work before crawling into bed and then I slept in until 8am.  It worked out really well because my mind was sharp from doing a billion conversion problems and I knew it would take me a while to zonk out.  So instead I started my work day early and then went to bed. I got a decent amount of work done before bed and then slept a little late.  Win-win.

~ One of the reasons I was late last night was because I met an old,old friend after class.  Andy and I waited tables at Riccutti's and then Luna Bella back in the day.  Like way back in the day...over ten years ago.  We used to be super good friends and he even came to visit me in Atlanta when I was in grad school.  Now that we are both married with kids we never see each other.  The last time I saw him was three years ago at his surprise bday party.  However, we both have class on Wednesdays that go until 10:20 so we chatted for a short while after class.  It was fun to catch up.

~ For my husband's bday my nieces made him a bday card.  My husband actually nailed it to the wall. And not a hidden wall, nope he nailed it right next to my large Ansel Adams print above the fireplace.  Definitely front and center of our living room.  

~ I haven't put laundry away in two weeks.  Both hubs and I are grabbing clean clothes from the hamper.  Hubs keeps complaining about how wrinkled his are.  I don't seem to care.  This weekend I swear I am going to catch up.

~ The photographer who did our family shots sends us photos every once in a while from our photo shoot and I love them.  I am so happy we went with photos instead of a big party.  The photos of Evan are priceless.  I just hope the photos of me turn out and I stood up straight in them.  My posture has been atrocious this past year.

Serious cuteness!

~ I am reading a book called Shucked: Life on a New England Oyster Farm about a woman who quits her cushy job to learn about shucking oysters on an oyster farm.  It's for our family book club and I am learning so much about oysters.  Except I hate oysters so I can't appreciate the author's love of the mollusk (Are oysters mollusks?  I'm too lazy to look it up).  

Ok, enough randomness for now.  Hope you are having a wonderful Thrsday!

First Day of School

Chemistry might not be so bad.  I can't believe I'm actually typing that, but it's true.  I had my first class on Tuesday night.  It's a late one, from 7:30pm-10:20pm.  My bedtime is supposed to be at 10:00pm, so a class that ends after that is just bad news.  It means that by the time I get home, get ready for bed, and unwind, it's practically midnight.  And then I have to get up again four and a half hours later.  And I do that twice since I have class twice a week.

It wasn't that miserable though.  Much less miserable than it could have been.  My friend recommended a set of professors (one for lab and one for lecture) and it turns out, they are great.  The lecture guy is from England and has an accent (and chemistry talk with a British accent is way more interesting than chemistry talk sans accent) and is so nice and excited about Chemistry it's funny.  He actually shook our hands as we came in and asked us our names and then stood by the door and shook our hands as we left.  And the lecture woman is funny and relaxed too.  So, it really could be much worse.  

Last night we got out of lab early so I got home around 8:30pm.  And guess what??  Evan was asleep and Ivan was washing the dishes for me.  It was the best thing ever.  I was happily surprised.  It made the rest of the evening so much more relaxed.  And let's be honest, relaxed evenings are not common in my household.

And in completely other news.  Look at this big boy who lives in my house.

He is growing up too fast.  He practically looks like an adult.  Maybe because we cut his hair.  I didn't want to but since it was always in his face and he was constantly rubbing his eyes because it tickled, I figured it was time.

Here he is before (don't mind me - I look tired 24/7).

And here he is after.

Look at how much older he looks! 

And can I complain that a haircut at Cartoon Cuts cost $16.99.  That's practically highway robbery if you ask me.  Really?? He had like 30 snips.  He's 11 months people!  My husband gets his hair cut for less than that and he requires a razor and they give him and neck and head massage at the end.  Yes, they gave me a certificate congratulating him on his first haircut and put some snippings in a baggie, so maybe it was worth it for the first time.  But next time?  No Cartoon Cuts here, we are just going to the regular barber shop where Ivan goes.

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Are you taking any classes this semester?  When was the last time you took Chemistry?

When was the last time that someone surprised you and did your chores for you?

Bed head

This is Evan's hairdo in the morning.

Do you see how crazy it is! He has a huge rat nest in the back.

This picture doesn't do it justice, but it's pretty adorable.  I love his hair and I'm gonna be so sad when we cut it.  It will have to be soon though because his hair is always in his eyes.  And that can't be comfortable.

This morning we had extra time so we played a little soccer before heading out the door.

If I roll him the ball, he rolls it back.  That's his idea of soccer.  He also kisses the ball before rolling it.  Like a good luck omen or something.  Very cute.

Last night we played jail.

He thought it was really funny.  When I put him in his room and close the gate he loves to throw things through the bars and then reach his arm through and pull them back.  Good thing he occupies himself so well!

And now time for a little nap on the bus!  I finally feel a little more rested today, which is GREAT.  I am so tired of feeling tired.

I am dreading the start of classes in two weeks - how will I survive????

Back to School...and other random stuff

I have a bunch of random stuff on my mind, so I decided to share it all with you.  In all it's random gloriousness.

***I can't believe summer is over and I'm heading back to school tonight.  I'm just taking one class (Chem 101), but on top of 12 hour days, month 9 of pregnancy, and normal life - one Chem class is all I can handle.  Ok, that's partly a lie since this is my last week of commuting to work for a while.  After this I am working from home and then I'm on maternity leave.  But I think I'll still have long days after Maple Baby comes!  But I'm so close to finishing these pre-reqs that I didn't want to take a semester off (I only have Chem 102 and Human Growth and Development left after this).  This may or may not have been the smartest choice on the planet (taking classes during my maternity leave).  I will talk to my lab professor tonight and see what he thinks about me missing a lab (since it's inevitable that I'll give birth soon and I can't promise that going to lab that week will be the top thing on my list).  If he seems to think that there is no way I can pass if I miss a lab, then I still have time to drop the class.  From reviews of him on RateMyProfessor.com, it appears he's an old guy.  This may or may not work in my favor.  Old men can be over-the-top understanding when it comes to pregnancy...or grumps.

I admit that school is not the first thing on my mind right now and I can't seem to muster up a lot of energy.  I'm hoping that I can muster through though.  I'm sad because all my friends are taking Chem for Allied Health and I am stuck in real Chemestry.  Boo.  One of the schools I want to apply for requires two semesters of Chemistry and the only way to take the second semester is to take Chem 101, rather than Chem 107 (the easier Chemestry).  One of my friends was willing to take the regular Chem with me but it didn't work out with his schedule.  So, I'm all alone.  No more friends to motivate me, be my lab partner, and answer my 900 text messages because I wasn't paying attention.  I will have to survive on my own.

***I don't have any pictures for you because my camera ran out of batteries.  It's a good thing too because I replaced the batteries.  Otherwise we may have shown up at the birthing center with a battery-dead camera.

I put the new batteries in but then forgot the camera at home.  So, nothing of interest to show you.

I'm not sure what I would have taken a picture of though.  My one new notebook?  My super exciting Chemistry books?  Who knows.

***Maybe I would have snapped a picture of the weird guy who sits in the office across the alley from me - in the dark.  It's spooky.  His desk faces my window and he's kind of hard to see without his office light on (because of the glare), so it looks like there is a ghost in there.  It's pretty dark in the office because our window faces a very tiny alley that doesn't get much sunlight - so I don't understand how he can see anything.  I am so spooked out that I closed my blinds.  Yup, I have a window office and I have to keep the blinds down.

***I also coached my last golf class yesterday.  No more First Tee until the spring.  I haven't not coached a session in four years!  I have always done spring, summer, and fall.  My co-coach will be coaching with someone else for the first time.  I will miss those kiddos, but it sure will be nice to have Sunday mornings free.

Hubs is already excited about church and brunch (what replaces First Tee in the off season).  Honestly, he is much more excited about brunch than church I think, but he is always up for church.

***And one more funny story.  On Saturday hubs decided to put on his wedding suit to see if it still fit.  It did.  But then he refused to take it off.  He insisted on wearing his suit to run errands.  I'm serious.  He wore it to the bank, to the Mexican grocery, to Target, and to Chipotle.  I was wearing capris, a t-shirt, and flip flops.  It was hilarious.  I wanted to take a picture but he thought I was making fun of him so he refused.  He made some comment about how much my father had paid for the suit and how he never wears it.  I told him we could eat out at fancier restaurants and he could pull it out for that.  He seemed to think that it was a stupid idea to spend more money just to wear the suit.  He thought it was perfectly reasonable to just put it on for Saturday errands.  Sometimes I wonder about him!


What random things are happening in your life???