Dancing in a new place...

Since I'm not technically "at Valpo" anymore, I decided it was best just to start a new blog.

You can follow the exciting happenings of my "adult" life here:

The Chance to Find Yourself


Thanks so much for reading!
-Vickie

Don't Forget to Remember Me...

Well, my time at Valpo has officially come to a close, and I can’t believe how fast the last four years has gone. I’ve met some really great people, many of whom I will miss dearly as we start the next stages in life.

To my family who came to visit and support me through my various activities- thanks for cheering and clapping for me when appropriate, and sharing your Valpo secrets, not to mention paying the bill. I couldn’t have done it without you.



To my nursing friends- We did it!! We survived Pepa lectures and Kessler exams, Brandy’s 8ams and Nola’s jokes, and I can’t thank you enough for suffering through it all with me. I’m so excited to see where you all end up, and can’t wait to hear about the great nurses you’ve become. Congrats!

To my Alumni 4/5W family- Thanks so much for making me fall in love with Valpo from the very beginning. Even though we may not have spent as much time together over the last few years, some of my very favorite memories can be found in those halls.

To the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon, past and present- Thank you for hosting my favorite dance parties and letting me spend far too much time at your house. There was no better place to slip-n-slide, dance the night away or just watch movies on the dance floor. You boys are the best, enjoy the 11 sets of SPE letters I made in my career.

To my various roommates over the years- thanks for showing me how important it is to pick up after myself, and for dealing with my match-a-holic ways. RM- thanks for the priceless laughs, mostly at your expense, and the many messages you’ve left on my voicemail over the years. I can’t imagine a better roommate, and will miss you trying to crawl in bed with me, not to mention hours of NCIS.

To my co-workers who turned into some of my best friends- I will truly miss Friday afternoons in the office, and wouldn’t have wanted to spend my time anywhere else. I don’t think many people laugh that hard while still getting (some) work done. If people don’t choose Valpo after getting a tour from you, then they’re crazy.

To elle dub, Jamesy and Bethy, thanks for listening to me vent and reminding me that life exists outside of my little bubble. Thanks for accompanying me to numerous parties and never leaving me by myself.

And finally, to the boy who took care of me and made me feel special, I can’t say thank you enough. For calming me down when I started to freak out, countless hours spent driving to/from the airport, numerous movies and dinner dates- all of it and more- Thank you. I can’t imagine a better person to have learned so many lessons from.




To all of you- college wouldn’t have been the same without each one of you, and because of you, I can look back on the last four years fondly and smile. So thank you.

But as my friend Carrie says:
sometimes moving on with the rest of your life starts with goodbye.

Love and miss already-

YAY!

I passed!!! And this weekend, I’m doing a little pole pumping of my own. **

Thursday was my exit exam from the nursing program. A three year cumulative test that determines graduation eligibility can be a bit intimidating, and I was SO relieved when I passed. Thank god for instant results… I don’t know how people survived waiting for their results back in the day. I went out with a few of my nursing friends last night and it was so nice to be able to fully relax. I will miss my fellow nursing students- classmates who turned into friends after years of classes and countless study sessions in the library. There’s a bond formed during stressful exam weeks and early morning clinicals that most students probably don’t experience. I’m glad we all got to celebrate passing together last night, and will continue to do so for the final few weeks before graduation.

Go ahead, ask- So, Vickie, what are you doing after graduation?

Well, I’m headed east to Maryland to celebrate Sissy’s masters and then hanging out with the DePriest fam (and more likely Oscar) as I spend the next few weeks studying for the NCLEX-RN, or my nursing boards. After that, I’m headed back out west to work at Riverview Bible Camp just outside of Spokane, WA for the summer. It’s the camp my Rolling Hills students are going to this year, so I’ll still get to see them, and close enough to Portland that I can (relatively) easily get back to watch my three best friends get married in July and August. After the third wedding, I’m headed back to Maryland where I plan on moving in with Liz and Billy short term as I search for a real nursing job in the DC/Baltimore area.

I’m excited. For graduation, and seeing family. For some time off and two cross-country road trips. For summer camps and watching my friends get married. Mostly, I’m just excited to see what the next stage in life has to offer. Bring it, world!

(** I wrote this at the beginning of the weekend, but have been fighting with blogspot for a few days, so it's just now being posted. In the mean time, I bowled, slept in, shakespeared, dance partied, toured, watched exciting baseball from right behind home plate (thanks Jeff!) birthday partied, songfested and congratulated my friends during the Outstanding Senior Award dinner... I'd say it was a good weekend! )

4 weeks til I’m a… college graduate?!?!

That’s right folks, four weeks from today I’ll be dying of heat exhaustion in a black robe in the ARC. (along with many of you, who will be annoyed that the CoN is last in the lineup) I still can’t wrap my head around it.

What I have noticed is a lot of “lasts” that I’ve been experiencing the past few weeks, and will continue to do so until that glorious? fateful? Sunday. This week I have my last college test ever (which happens to be a four year cumulative exit exam, no big deal) followed by my last SigEp dance party and my last class presentation (which includes the last time I have to write the Valpo honor code.) It seems like just yesterday I was excited about all of my “firsts” of college, and in the blink of an eye it will all be over. Yikes.

Practicum is going really well! Because I’m at an outpatient infusion center, I’m pretty spoiled. I get to pick my own hours, which aren’t midnights or weekends since they aren’t open then. We have drug reps that bring us yummy lunch everyday. I don’t really do much assessment or have to balance a normal patient load since all of the nurses and medical assistants work together. Those things will probably come back to haunt me, but I’m going to be amazing at blood draws and IVs by the time I’m done. I’ve already hit more veins (all but 1 successfully!) than many of my classmates will get to try and I’m only about halfway done. Ports are cake and so much more helpful when they go both ways (seriously Dad- much easier for the nurses). I have no doubt that I’ll be an expert at hanging IV drugs and pushing chemo by the time I’m done. I’m all caught up on the gossip at the office too, which I’ve learned is an important part of nursing wherever you go. The women that I work with are funny and very knowledgeable, and the doctors seem nice, but I try to stay out of their way. We usually have about a hundred patients come through our door each day, so we stay pretty busy.

We had our last Valpo Visit Day on Saturday, and it went really well, despite colder than ideal temperatures and fewer AIAs than normal. I’m training people to take over my jobs in the admissions office, and slowly but surely releasing responsibility- and it feels great.

Hopefully, a week from tomorrow, I’ll be done with all of my academic responsibilities, and able to just sit back, relax and enjoy my last few weeks as an undergraduate.

love and miss-

I'm Celebrating...

Why?
1) It’s my last Monday of school. Technically I’ll still be a student doing nursing things for the next 6 weeks, but I’m done with “school” as of this Thursday at 4:50pm. Or more realistically 3:45, which is probably when I’ll finish my final final.
2) Today and more notably last night, is (was?) the last Admitted Student Day I have to coordinate. It didn’t go off without hitches and glitches, but it’s over and I can kiss it goodbye after two and a half years of slaving over prospective-host match ups and dealing with flaky college students.
3) We’re supposed to have GREAT weather this weekend, and I can’t wait to celebrate being done with classes out in the sunshine.

Also, Sissy and some of her grad school friends have launched this great new blog- Scholar Style Guide. Since I’m the obnoxious little sister, I’m going to continue my celebration by copying their introductions (while I wait for Grinders to open so I can get back to this care plan). Be sure you check out the real thing here. I’m certainly not doing it any justice.

My focus as a student (because I don’t believe I’m a scholar in anything, nor do I plan on being so anytime soon) is on nursing- oncology nursing to be exact. I start my practicum at a large outpatient infusion center one week from today, and I couldn’t be more excited. I also love kids and my eventual career goal is to be a pediatric oncology clinical nurse specialist. Maybe when that happens I’ll consider myself a “scholar.”

I began dressing with intention when I got to college and realized that Disney shirts weren’t nearly as cool as I thought they were. To be honest, I’m not sure that I dress with intention very often at all, but as I transition from college student to working woman, I guess that will have to happen. One of the joys of going to school in the Midwest is that fashion here is still a few years behind the coasts, so what was cool in Oregon when I started college is cool now at Valpo. I’ve spent the last two summers working with junior high and high school students, and like my sister, decided that dressing more professional was one of the few ways to earn more respect.

My personal style is a mix of typical college student, typical Oregonian-hipster and classic professional, as evidenced by my new found love of Express. I’m a sucker for a cute headband, but can’t stand skinny jeans even though they’d probably look good on me. I’ve never purchased anything from Urban Outfitters, but I love a few hipster trends, like structured jackets and cute hats. I’ve learned the art of the fashionable scarf-and-coat combo while going to school in lake effect.

My biggest style hurdle comes from having a job that requires “Valpo-wear” and a profession/student uniform that consists of scrubs that are so big I feel like I’m playing dress up, which certainly doesn’t help the fact that I look 17 anyway. And while some might say I have the “perfect societal” body, trying to dress said body can be a challenge, especially when I am perpetually cold.

My current style mentors are Lauren Conrad and Victoria Beckham. I think LC does a good job of dressing her age, especially in a casual, weekend way. Aside from my love of the Spice Girls and all things named Beckham, I agree with Victoria that sky-high heels should be a girl’s best friend, and still haven’t caught on to the “joy of flats.” Plus her ability to always look cute while still being a mother and designing a line that celebrities actually wear amazes me.


Time to get back to work. One 15-page care plan, one clinical and two finals away from freedom!

Still on Nica Time…

Well, it’s almost 10, which means I’m about ready to crash. Two weeks of getting up at 5:30 will do that to you I guess 

Spring Break 2010- Costa Rica.Nicaragua was absolutely amazing- I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my final break from student life. It was exactly what I needed in so many ways. Here are some highlights:

-Over the course of our 7 clinic days, my assessment skills really did get much, much better. JP and I struggled through our first diagnostic circle, forgetting to ask most of the important questions, and skipping all physical assessment other than vitals. Dr. Jorge, the local Costa Rican doctor we were working with, effectively reminded us of everything we forgot, while simultaneously intimidating the heck out of me. We shared a moment later, after I held this baby girl for a few hours and he expressed his desire to be a dad- which isn’t so intimidating.

-A fantastic homestay experience with a couple who were only a few years older than us- complete with a run to the local MegaSuper for Oreos and birthday hats, Sammi the house dog and Jeffrey, the outdoor rabbit who was much bigger than Sammi.

- Swimming in a waterfall in the middle of a Costa Rican forest (which reminded me a lot of the gorge) It was one of those “I never thought I’d be doing THIS in my lifetime” moments, and listening to the water crash in front of you while hiding behind the falls is completely exhilarating.


-Watching numerous sunsets from the comfort of a hammock, and gazing in amazement at the ridiculously starry sky over Lake Nicaragua while discussing love and life with Laura and JP each night, and all of the unexpected surprises along the way.

- Actually pulling teeth (yeah, I was the one doing it) and being a part of the removal of a rather large kidney stone from the end of a patient’s penis- both things that would NEVER happen in the States. (see, I really am a nurse… this is cool, not disgusting)


-Taking in the scenery during the daily commute in the back of a pick-up truck- complete with lakeshore and volcanoes.

- Running straight into the (warm!) Pacific Ocean following an awesome, but super sweaty, canopy tour in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Looking at pictures makes me want to go back so badly, and I’m praying that at some point I’ll get to return to Ometepe Island. Short term health service trips are something that will definitely be a part of my future, and I’m more excited about being a nurse than ever. Thank you so much to all of you who helped make this trip a reality for me- it was definitely the trip of a lifetime.

"Spring" Break... finally in the sun!

In three days I leave for Central America. I’m looking forward to this trip for many reasons.
1. Current temp in Valpo:25 degrees. Costa Rica: 72. Nicaragua: 82. Get me away from this crap. I don’t think I even remember what it feels like to have the sun warm my body.
2. No cell phone, twitter, facebook or email. Being out of touch with the world is something I wish I could get away with more often.
3. I’m coming back with color, even if it is red. My poor body is practically see-through at this point.
4. I get to use the skills I’ve been learning in school to make a small difference in the world.
5. I’m not in charge, nor am I responsible for anything, once we get on the plane. I get to follow and relax- two things I think I’ve forgotten how to do.
6. Language barriers are incredibly humbling. I can usually tell when people are talking about me, and most of the time I don’t really mind. Finding other ways to communicate is always hard in the beginning, but I’m pretty good at charades, and I learn the essentials (bano, agua) pretty quickly.
7. Since I can’t really talk to people, I’ll have a lot of time to discuss with God upcoming plans for my life, and my dependence on Him always increases when I’m out of my comfort zone.
8. My assessment skills will get much, much better. One of the keys to any kind of nursing is a good assessment, and mine could probably use some work.
9. Ziplining through the jungle? Yes please.
10. Seeing my dear friend the Pacific Ocean again. I’ve missed her.


And RM designed some pretty sweet t-shirts too!

Look for pictures in a few weeks!!

Final Curtain

It's over. My dancing career as I know it, is finished, and I don't think it's hit me quite yet. This last weekend’s Dance Ensemble Spring Concert was a whirlwind of mixed emotions, and Sunday’s performance was a bit surreal. On one hand, I’m glad to get my life back. For some reason, no matter how much time you actually commit to dancing, it takes over your life, so I’m glad to add the time back into my weekly schedule. I’ll admit that I was a little disappointed with this year’s show, and certainly my role within it. I was hoping that after years of hard work, the choreographers’ would reward me with some cool pieces. The two that I was in were a lot of fun- my trio with Jayme and Melissa being my favorite- but I was still a little disappointed.

I’ve learned over the many years I’ve devoted to dance, that a little disappointment is always a part of the deal. Perhaps it was because I didn’t start dancing until 7th grade, so my technique wasn’t as advanced as others, but I never got the really cool parts- the wow factors. Instead, I got to dress up like the “evil fairy” and chase people around the dance floor. Which, I will admit, was a lot of fun, and the only reason I didn’t care that we came in dead last that year. (and who doesn’t love completely changing costumes behind a painted tarp tree)

Sissy recently talked about the character building that can come from judged sports. (not that I’m even going to try to say that dance is a sport, because we both know it’s not) She’s right. At some point along the way, you have to stop defining success as a certain score- there’s too much subjectivity and personal feelings involved. (we were once given a lower score because a judge didn’t like the movie our music came from) So you go out there, and you do your best. You hit every triple and split leap. You sell every single move, regardless of whether or not it’s the right one, and you do it all with the biggest smile your face has ever felt (piece appropriate, of course.)

And I guess that’s why I love dancing- because it’s something that I do, just for me. Because it can cure a broken heart, and a hangover and it reminds me that doing something because you love it is more rewarding than doing it for a certain score.

So yes, I will definitely miss it.


(Because you know you'd seen that picture before...)

Phew...

I'm glad this week is over. After two Admitted Student Days (which kept me in the office for 20+ hours each of the last two weeks), two clinicals, and two exams, the weekend was a more than welcomed break.

So I treated myself to a tanning package. Actually, I contributed to our VU chapter of Engineers Without Borders, and got a free two week unlimited tanning package out of the deal. So I went on Friday to enjoy my 12 minutes of electric sunshine. When I got there, they told me that my package not only included tanning, but all of the "spa" treatments as well, including the AquaMassage table. Free massage and free tanning? These are going to be the best two weeks of my life :)

I have a Dream…

And it starts with finding a job. Oh how I wouldn’t love to just be offered a really sweet job and at excellent teaching hospital in a great city. But, that hasn’t happened yet, so the application process continues. Since I know many of you may be curious, I’ve narrowed my “great city” selection down to about three different choices.

Seattle, WA- because I’m not ready to give up on the Pacific Northwest just yet. Some of my Valpo friends are moving there after graduation, I have plenty of friends from home who live/visit there often, and a cousin who was recently promoted to Assistant GM for the Mariners. Bring on the baseball.

St. Louis, MO- because graduating from Valpo actually means something to people (and employers) in the Lou, but they don’t have to deal with Lake Effect. They also have a couple of LARGE hospital systems, who are more dedicated to hiring new graduates than anywhere else I’ve seen yet.


Baltimore, MD/ Washington DC- because my sister can be very persuasive when she wants to be and free rent while I find a job sounds pretty good to me. Plus, there are a LOT of people in a small area, which means a lot of hospitals.

So far my Excel spreadsheet has about 15 different hospitals/ health systems from these locations, and I start to send out actual applications the end of February. Until then I have 4 exams, 10 clinical days and a lot of work to get done.

(Look Mim, twice in one month!)

Love and miss-

New Year, New Goals?

I’m not a big “resolutions” kind of person. I guess part of that is because I’m lazy. I am also, however, a goal driven person, and tend to write yearly goals instead. Sometimes they resemble resolutions, and sometimes they are just expectations of who I want to be come next December. Usually, I write them on the plane ride back to school. This year, however, I couldn’t figure out what to write. Since I have no real idea as to where I will be next Fall, I’ve discovered that writing goals isn’t as easy as it has been in the past. Hopefully I’ll be able to come up with a few before the month is over. (although my grandmother pointed out that I’m the member of the family who updates her blog least often, so perhaps that should be one of them…)

In other news, Christmas Break was wonderful. The first week allowed me plenty of time to catch up with my friends back in Oregon, and saying good bye felt a little weird since it wasn’t the usual “see you in May.” Other than a few weddings this summer, I’m not sure when I’ll be back. The second week gave me the chance to catch up with a lot of family that I haven’t seen in a while, and it was comforting to find that some things never change, especially at a time in life when I feel like everything is about to.

I flew from sunny, warm Southern California to the frozen tundra of Valpo. We’re currently in the middle of a winter storm warning, and I’ve seen about a foot of snow in the last week. The good news is that it has made me SO glad to be out of here in a few months. I think the weather single-handedly changed my fear of the future into excitement. I’m still rather scared about job hunting and all, but the good news is that whenever I do finally get that job, it’ll be a good one, complete with a very nice paycheck. Yes, the planner in me wants to have it all figured out as soon as possible, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that one more summer off wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

So I face the next semester with excitement. I take finals the week before Easter, and have my official exit exam near the end of April. Looks like my senior week is going to be more like senior month!

love and miss-