GRADUATED

I've never been one to do things the "traditional" way. Some may call it stubbornness. Others may call it laziness. Whatever it may be, I still get the job done...I just get it done my way. So was the case with my collage career. When I graduated from Lehi Senior High School it was 1997. The majority of my friends went straight to college. I decided I needed a break. Everyone said, "You'll never go back." I knew I would. I did too. One year later, I started at UVSC. The nursing program at that time was done via wait list. Getting into the program consisted of attending an orientation meeting and putting your name on the "yes I want to be in your nursing program" list. Somewhere in that first year of college life got a bit crazy. I found relief and escape from the stresses of my life in the clubbing world where it was all drown out by cigarette smoke, alcohol, loud music, and boys. Somewhere amongst all the confusion I thought, "Do I really want to be a nurse, or have I always just been told I want to be a nurse?" I didn't think I knew, so when my name came up on the wait list, I didn't take the spot.

Now, fast forward a few years to a time when things are clearer...

I got home from my mission and I knew I wanted to be a nurse. However, things had changed. The nursing program wait list is no more. Now, an application process must be completed...and grades are important. Not just any grades will do. I needed A's. This is where I find myself siding with those that sight stubbornness as the key to my way of doing things. Perhaps it could be called perserverance because before getting into the nursing program I took Math 1050 four times, Anatomy three times, Physiology 2 times, and Chemistry 2 times.  But, I got in.

And now....I GRADUATED!  While I technically graduated in December 2009, the graduation services weren't until April 30, 2010. It only took 12 years to finish my Associate Degree. But I did, and by damn, come hell or high water I was walking in Convocation!

Walking around to get my diploma

Sandy, my step-mom, presented my diploma with Dean Rushforth

My Biggest Fans: My Family!

I couldn't have done it with out all their love and support. 

My Parents: Always pushed me to do my best without breaking my spirit.

Thanks for always believing in me and allowing me to do things my way.

The Graduate! 

It feels so surreal. Perhaps it's because I know this time next year I'll do it all again with my Bachelor Degree. Perhaps it's because the journey was long and winding. Whatever the reason, I wouldn't change a thing!

31...and so much fun

It happens every year. As my birthday approaches I plot and plan to have some sort of amazing celebration...and it never happens. The reason? One word: School. It's so overwhelming. Since my birthday falls just 2-ish weeks before finals, everything class wise is coming to a head. Final papers to be written, final projects to finish, and finals too study for. The birthday gets set a side before I know it and then later I think, "Oh ya. It was my birthday. I should have celebrated." This year, however, was going to be different!

On my 2010 Bucket List is a goal/wish/dream to watch the sun come up at Delicate Arch. My friend Bekky took that thought and ran with it, planning a trip to Moab to fulfill that wish ON MY BIRTHDAY! So cool! I was so excited! And then, I threw my back out. I couldn't stand up straight and walk, so hiking was definitely out. Rotten!  Alas, the trip was canceled. Well, more like postponed until later this year...it will happen!

And now....the final papers have been written, final projects have been turned in, and finals begin tomorrow. 

*****

Now, before you cry any tears for my sad, uncelebrated birthday, have no fear. All was not lost. Ashleigh and Britney took pitty on my sad, sorry self and planned an impromptu girls night party. My sisters and nieces all came down to my mom's for pizza and a movie.  A good time was had by all.

Y2K + 10

Driving home from work this evening I got to thinkin' about what I'd been doing on this night 10 years ago. It was the year of the Y2K scare. I remember I was at Natalie's house, getting ready to bring in the New Year with my regular group of rebel rousers: Natalie, Rach, Kasha and Dave, Kevin, Ryan, Liz, and Travis. I remember I had my nails done all fancy smancy...they were dark purple with glitter and fireworks painted on them. We watched a movie, but I can't recall which one. We sang around the piano...I miss that...and at midnight had life savors that spark in the dark. I remember walking outside to scream and yell and Orion was bright in the sky.Chad was on his mission in Guatemala and I missed him terribly! (Lucky for me he called the next day. I remember the first thing I said, or rather sobbed, was "I miss you so much!" I also remember asking him what he was wearing...meaning what was his every day missionary attire...to which he replied, "Ooo, what are you wearing?) So, tonight as I ring in the New Year with a snotty nose, my handy roll of toilet paper, and a hot cup of Tang, I'd like to review (in no particular order) some of the things that have happened in the last decade:

1. Got my heart broken...more than once.
2. Served a mission to North Carolina Charlotte.
3. Finally got into the nursing program and graduated with my RN.
4. Celebrated 10 years out of high school.
5. Married off my best girlfriends...some of them more than once.
6. Made out with a random brown boy on the white sand beaches of Oaho.
   
7. Took Math 4 times, Anatomy 3 times, Physiology and Chemistry 2 times.
8. Lived out my childhood dream of attending a New Kids On The Block concert.
9. Conquered Havasupai.
10. Took a road trip with my sisters through Yellow Stone.
11. Was paid to poke people with needles.
12. Delivered a baby...well helped anyway.
13. Kissed Dopey on the head at Disney Land.
14. Drove from Provo to Washington D.C.
15. Turned 30.

Looking back over the last 10 years, not many things happened as I had planned. But, had things gone according to plan, I would have missed out on some great adventures!

As the 2010 dawns, instead of the run-of-the-mill list of resolutions, I'm making a bucket list of things I want to do before the year is over. Of course, I'll still have that list that includes things like "Lose 10 pounds" or rather "Lose 10 x 10 pounds" and all the other things that get said every year. But this bucket list is all about things I want to do...Like learn bellydancing.

Childish Things

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a woman, I put away childish things -- 1 Corinthians 13:11

Putting away childish things is turning out to be a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. When Mom began remodeling her home, we decided (Well, more like I decided) it was time to sort through everything and declutter. Yesterday, in a barrel in the basement we found my baby dolls and stuffed animals I've saved over the years.

• Baby Bear -- I gave her a hug in the department store when I was 8 months old and would never let it go. I even took her on my mission.
  
• Ted D. Bear -- Becky gave him to me for Christmas one year.
• Al the Crocodile (he roars when you squeeze it's snout) -- Lance brought it back from Florida for me before they moved and I wouldn't be his nanny any more.
• Welcome Home Baby -- That's what it said on the box, so that's what I named her.
• Snowball the Gorilla -- Sam won him for me at Lagoon on our first date playing a football game.
• A ratty little doll named Leivela -- I saw her one Christmas morning and yelled "Leivela!" My mom still doesn't know where I came up with that name.
• Purple Elephant -- Chad won him for me at Lagoon...turned out to be quite ironic when the pink elephant in the room really did turn out to be purple.
• Cyndi and Jeffery -- Both anatomically correct.
  

At 30-years-old I'm finding it difficult to part with them. How is that possible when they've been put away for so many years? So, I'm not. They're going into the toy closet for my niece to play with...well, all except Baby Bear. She's going back on my bed.

Swinging Good Time!

The girls took me out for a Sushi birthday dinner at Happy Sumo...
Although, I think it should have been renamed
"Happy Somie" for the night.
Dinner was followed by dancing...

Cage Dancing!!!
It was {definitely} a
SWINGING GOOD TIME!

THIRTY!

For the Big 3-0 I took a
Trip Around The World!

First...I drew out for a capstone in
Payson, Ut at Moutainview Hospital
Labor & Delivery Department

Then...I traveled to the jungles of Africa
to watch these wild monkeys dance


Next...It was off to New England for a
Vermont Maple Blueberry Salad


Then...I did some shopping for my new bedroom
in Sweden
Finally...I headed home to catch some zzz's
After all, I'm an old woman now and
need all the Beauty Sleep I can get!