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!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
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 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.
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