Bethel Student

Well classes are in full swing. I have my first test tonight in my Anatomy lab. Spanish test on Friday, then Chapter Exams in Anatomy and Micro next week!! It is very weird to be a full time student once again, but I am enjoying it. I have class and work, and all the rest of my time is spent studying. It is good to be back because it feels like I am FINALLY on my way to being a nurse.
It is a completely different experience being a commuting student versus living on campus. I think there are perks and downfalls to both. I think that as a commuter I am more focused on my studies and schoolwork. When I lived on campus, I thought it felt a lot like a really long session of summer camp except with homework. The focus seemed to be more on making friends, group activities, and get-to-know-eachother gatherings. One thing I really miss is having my little community of nursing major friends. I find myself wishing almost every day that Heidi and Mary were still here going through these tough classes with me! I also miss having Becky across the hall and Stephanie on the other side of the building. It is very clear to me that everyone here seems to have their little groups and cliques. I do feel like a bit of an outsider!
Also..... just a slight complaint. I do not understand all of these girls that come to class at 7:40 am in full makeup with their hair all done up and wearing little dresses and heels. Like.... come on. This is Spanish, and it is 7:40 am. Are you serious? Also. Where do these college students come up with the money for highlights, fake nails, and designer clothes? I should not be asking these questions. I should expect this coming to an expensive private school, right?
Anywho. Besides school, not much else is new. Work is the same old exhausting thing. Nate is the same old goofy boyfriend : ) Family is good. Kitty is good. Life is good. I feel very thankful.

1-2-3 Penguins!

Good morning. It is my weekend of work, which stinks. BUT - I did trade Sundays with a coworker, so I have tomorrow off and work next Sunday instead. My life feels incredibly dull right now, I feel like all I have to talk about is work.... Cuz thats basically all I feel like I am doing. I sort of feel like I am just getting through the days til school starts, because that is the next chapter of my life. It is really weird for me to think about being a full-time student again. It has been 4 years now since I was full-time at Bethel! It will be a life change, that is for sure. But I am psyched, and I am ready to work my butt off and get good grades. My loans are pretty much all figured out, so I don't have to worry about those until I graduate.

I have found that I rather enjoy the taste of Pepto Bismol. It has a nice spearmint flavor.

Oh! I made camping reservations for a long weekend in July, and I am so excited. I have been wanting to go camping for like, 2 years now. Last year when Nate and I tried to go, there was not ONE campsite on the entire North Shore, and we had to stay in a nice hotel! We ended up in a luxury sweet with a fireplace, jacuzzi, and flat screen TV. Not exactly roughing it. We even had to order in pizza, because all we had were hot dogs and marshmallows but no fire pit. So yes. I made reservations for us and Nate's sister to stay at Lamb's Resort, and we have a nice site very close to the water. I am so excited!!

I should probably think about taking a shower since I have to leave for work in about an hour. Ho hum. What a waste of a shower though, since I will just be going to work and getting people's poop and germs and bodily fluids all over me anyways. I love my job!

Hopefully my next update will be a bit more interesting. : )

Holy Moly Update!

Wowzer..... Time is flying. I don't know where my days are going, seriously. Sorry to any faithful readers (ahem - Stephanie). I don't even know where to begin, since its been like 2 months since I have updated! Well.
I went to Milwaukee with Nate at the end of May. Some highlights included the Brewers game, the Milwaukee County Zoo, Decemberists concert, RiverWalk, Kari-and-Jeremy time, Streetza, the Milwaukee Art Museum wings, and lots of walking. The Decemberists concert was so amazing. They played the entire Hazards of Love album from start to finish, without even introducing themselves. Then they took a brief intermission type break, and played another set of their older songs. Usually I get kind of whiney and tired from standing at shows, but not this one! I had a chair and I didn't even use it once. : ) I am so pumped to see them again at Rock the Garden on Saturday!
It was really fun seeing Kari and Jeremy. We joined them and a few of Jeremy's friends downtown for a birthday thing for Jeremy. Our little group had a good time crashing the date between the couple at the next table. We kept inching closer and closer to them until we had our drinks on their table, Nate's feet on the guy's stool, and Cameron smoking and using their ashtray.
The next weekend Nate came with my family on a trip to California for my cousin Alyssa's graduation party. Most of the Lindahl clan flew out there and we all stayed at a really nice hotel next to Disney in Anaheim. We pretty much just relaxed on the beaches and explored the beach towns. Nate and I went to the Dodgers game and got dressed for 80's night at the stadium. We were completely decked out and saw only like 5 other people dressed up. Out of like.... millions. I have tons of pics of the trip on Facebook, so please check them out for a visual : )
I have been trying to get my schooling all figured out for this Fall, which is difficult when I have such a small amount of time free during the week. I have been sneaking lots of phone calls and emails from work, trying to figure out my classes and financial aid. I have most of my classes all set, except I need to fit CWC in somewhere, which is just not working out. And it really sucks because it is a prereq for more classes that I need in the near future. As far as the finances go, I have a lot of money that I need to come up with in a little bit of time. At 23, I am still required to provide my parent's financial information to the government, for them to decide how much aid I need. I think this is totally out of this world ridiculous. I have been financially independent, living on my own for several years. My parents do not provide for me anymore, yet somehow Bethel and the government think that they should be able to fork out about 26 grand for ONE year of my education. I understand that I should be expecting this kind of bill with a private school, but I am still outraged that apparently I have very little "need" for assistance beyond my parents. For crying out loud. When are they supposed to save for retirement???? I understand coming right out of high school that my parent's income should matter, but I am an independent adult. Okay, enough venting. I have complete faith that it will all work out, I am just not sure how yet. I have a meeting with my financial aid counselor tomorrow morning, so hopefully I will learn of some more payment options.
I have been feeling very detached from everyone lately, and I really don't like it. Kari is still on vacation in California, and I haven't spoken to her since before my own trip two weeks ago. Stephanie is drinking coconut juice and eating spam without me in Hawaii, and we haven't spoken on the phone the whole time she has been away. I finally got to see Emily today because she is home sick from work, and this is my evening off. I don't even feel like I have talked to Nate much lately because I am going to sleep right when I get off work so I can get up and ready for the next job early in the morning. I am wishing I could cut back some work hours, but now that I have this Bethel bill looming over me, I feel like I can't afford to work any less. Summer is definitely slipping by, and I miss everyone.

Sunburn!

Only in Minnesota can you walk out into the snow one day, and two weeks later be suffering from sunburn.... I have really been enjoying the weather this week : ) I have decided that I really love my work schedule. As much as one can enjoy any work schedule that is. I work the pm shift at my job, which is 2:30 to 10:45 pm. I am pretty good at waking up around 9 every morning, so I always have like 5 hours of daytime hours before I have to leave for work. LOVE it. I don't remember having so much freetime during the day since the good old days of summer vacation!
Ah yes. So I got a phone call from Admissions and Bethel the other day, letting me know that I have been accepted (again). : ) So it looks like I will be starting classes this Fall! I am planning to set up a meeting with someone from the Nursing department to talk about registration, and getting myself on track for success. I used to think of going back to Bethel as a step BACKWARDS. It has taken me a few years to realize that it is actually the best way for me to move forward and accomplish my goals. Yes, I kick myself often for leaving in the first place. But I have experienced so much within the last few years... I don't have any regrets.

That is all for now my friends.

Go outside and enjoy the sunshine!

The snow is almost melted.... again

Hi friends : ) I am killing the last hour of time before I go to work. I had my annual physical this morning, and all I have to say is that my doctor needs to cut her fingernails... ouch. I stopped and got myself some sushi from Sushi Tango on my way home - yum!!! I love sushi so much. I always feel so pleasant when I am done eating it.
Interesting - I just got a phone call from one of my former supervisors at the Credit Union, and he asked me if I would be interested in coming back and helping out for a few hours every day before I go to my other job. My answer was yes. I need money, it is a familiar job, I am good at it, and the hours work. Yay! He is going to call me back when he has more info for me. It might suck working more in the summer, but I think it will be a good thing. Now that I am working my new job, it made me realize how easy it was working at the CU : )
Nate and I went to a concert on Saturday night at the Fine Line - it was really fun, but next time I won't wear heels : ) It was Los Campesinos! Here is a link if you want to see one of their videos. The music is super fun and bouncy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc4GethJnBg
Oh - we also saw the movie Sunshine Cleaners with Amy Adams. I definitely recommend it. Or reccommend it. Whichever one is spelled right.
Still waiting to hear back from Bethel on my acceptance. I am not worried about it, I am just being impatient. I want to get the ball rolling!!
Happy Monday to all!

I am alive!

I have conquered the sickness! I actually have been feeling better all weekend, but haven't had a chance to post til now. I was still feeling slightly weak and foggy on Saturday morning, but then I realized it was because all I had in my system for the previous 4 days was saltines and gatorade... So I ate a lot this weekend, kept it all down, and I am feeling completely refreshed and healthy.

It was a really good, really full weekend. Nate's dad came into town, which was a surprise to us until he arrived. Communication errors. He brought the trailer down and we helped Jeni (Nate's sister) unpack all of her belongings into her new garage. She and her bf are renting a really nice house in Hudson. I have never really spent much time in the Hudson area, which is surprising because it is so close. Anywho - its a pretty cute, quiet town on the river. It will be nice spending time over there this summer.

I am SOOOOO excited for summer!!!!! I wish we could all take a summer vacation from our jobs. Wouldn't that be awesome? To have the freedom that we had when we were kids? Even if we didn't have paychecks coming in.... How fun would it be to be able to just hang out with friends and play stupid games outside all summer long? I would be happy eating PB&J sandwiches for every meal. I am so excited to go camping, and hiking, and exploring! And playing catch and frisbee, going on long walks, and reading outside in the sunshine. I love how nice weather allows so many more opportunities than the cold snowy winter. There is no excuse to lay around watching tv. Summer is all reruns anyways : )

Here is a thought I had this weekend. Isn't the human heart an amazing thing? I think our health is something that we easily take for granted. The human body is really incredible. Think about your heart though... It is constantly pounding, pumping blood and keeping us going. Our hearts NEVER ever EVER stop working until the second that we die. Even when the rest of our body is recovering during our sleep, the heart is still pumping away. That is INCREDIBLE. I want to be good to my heart. I want to work hard and be healthy so that my heart doesn't have to work so hard. I really think it is a miracle the way our bodies function. I think we all need to give God some major kudos for designing our bodies the way that He did. Good job, God!!!!!!

I love you all, and I hope your day is happy.

no, the picture is not my own design... it is andy warhol's : )

Crackers and Gatorade

It has been a few days since my last update. I figured since Steph and Becky were both in town for the weekend, no one would be online to read them : ) I was able to see Steph for a few hours on Saturday which was LOVELY. I had plans with Becky last night, but had to cancel due to my puking : ( Super bummed about that, but we will make up for it next month when she is in town! Yes. I started feeling really raunchy at work last night, so they told me to go home. I puked 3 times before I got my key in the ignition, then went home to puke/sleep the rest of the night away. I will not go into too much detail about other symptoms, but you can probably imagine when I tell you that I haven't even been able to keep crackers or Gatorade inside of me. So it seems that I have finally caught this flu bug that has been going around. I am hoping it doesn't last as long as Steph's bug did.... ew.

My brain has not been stimulated much over the past day, so I am having trouble coming up with much to write about. Perhaps later on today I will have more to add.

Wowzer

So... a lot has changed for me within the last few days. I have sent in my application for readmittance to Bethel - surprised? I am. I have done a lot of thinking and weighing of pros and cons, and I really feel this is my best option for getting my nursing school finished. I could begin in the Fall, apply to the nursing program in the Spring, and hopfully begin nursing classes next Fall. I have no doubt in my mind that had I stayed at Bethel originally, I would be done and working as a Nurse already. I understand this is totally out of nowhere.... But I really feel so driven and focused on my goal, I need to do whatever is best for me to get there. I will be insanely in debt. I understand this completely. But my time is more valuable, and I would so much rather spend the money and get started on my career than wait around for God only knows how many more years, praying to get accepted elsewhere. I have a lot more research to do on this, and I have many people that I need to talk to at Bethel. But my heart is in this, and I really believe this is the right thing for me to do.

This decision changes several things.... Nate and I were going to go to Fargo together and get an apartment. Now that it seems we will be staying, we will continue to live separately. My lease with Emily is up June 1st (our landlord needs our notice by April 1st), and she has been trying to find a different apartment with a friend. So I don't really know what to do with myself as far as housing. I have been looking at studio apartments, but I will end up paying more than I am now unless I want to live in the ghetto.... Which I don't. Plus, I will probably be working less as a full-time student. I don't even know if I could qualify on my own to rent a new place. And I can't stay here by myself - wayyyyy to expensive for me alone. Of course my mom and dad still want me to move home.... I just don't know how I could make that work for me anymore. Plus my dad is allergic to Belly. : ( My life feels very up in the air right now. Anyone have any solutions for me? I am open to suggestions!

Up-ditty date

Beautiful day, I think I will go for a walk. I will have to dodge the piles of dog vomit when I walk down the stairs, but that shouldn't be a problem. Bella is the happiest cat ever now that she can sit in my open window sill. I LOVE Spring!

So, it turns out that my sinking feeling about nursing school was right on. Shortly after my last post, I rummaged through week-old mail and found my rejection letter. The day turned pretty sour after that, but work and a chat with Stephanie helped distract/redirect my thoughts. I am still quite frustrated, but I am even more determined now. I really have no doubt in my mind that I am supposed to be a nurse. I have gotten so much encouragement and support from my family, friends, coworkers, and even patients. So yes. Frustrated and disappointed about at least another year of delays, but more determined than ever to make it happen. Thanks to each of you for your support : )

I am posting a picture of my super-adorable little cousin Jimmy. Because it makes me happy. He loves his pink sunglasses - especially in the dark. This picture was taken while watching fireworks on the 4th of July. We were on a boat at my aunt and uncle's cabin. He loved the pink fireworks, but the orange ones - "they make me angry".

The other day I wrapped my arms around Nate, snuggled up to him with my face in his chest. I smiled at him and said "Mmm, you smell so nice." He responded "Like cheetos?" This also made me happy.

Love you all : )

Clint Eastwood

I want the weekend back! The weather is amazing, which makes it so hard to go into work. Ugh. Nate and I went to a nice restaurant on Saturday night called Fugaise. I decided to try something new, so I ordered Monkfish... Didn't know what it was but it tasted really really good. When we got home I looked up a picture of it on Wikipedia. Um.... yeah. Turns out it is that fish like in Finding Nemo - the one with the lantern on its head for luring little fish over so he can eat them. Totally gross looking, but it still tasted really good.... Oh and here is a clue about what Nate ordered: It lives in Australia, hops around on big feet, and carries its babies in its pouch. You get a prize if you guess right.

My kitty is staring up at the clock and her tail is flicking back and forth with the rhythm of the second hand. She is so cute : ) I tried to drag her outside yesterday on a leash and she did NOT appreciate it. She grounded all fours in the welcome mat and pulled her head right out of the collar and ran back inside. I don't think I have to worry anymore about her running away.

I am STILL waiting for my letter from Moorhead.... I have a sinking feeling that I will not be starting in the nursing program this Fall. I have been telling myself this was probably going to happen ever since I applied, but I can't help but feel extremely disappointed. I know that everything will work out for the best, but I want it to work out the way I want it to.

If you are reading this, I miss you. All of you.

Also, I really miss my Grandpa. I was thinking of him the whole time I watched Gran Torino last night.

Back to 3rd grade

Hi : ) I just got home from Madison, and I am super tired.... 3rd grade teachers have to get up a lot earlier than nursing assistants who work evening shifts. Who knew? I spent the day as a "Mystery Guest" in Mrs. Brookins' 3rd grade today, and I had a blast. We played four square with Red Pants, White Socks, and all the other boys at recess, and a kid yelled "Testicles!" when I asked for a body part in Mad Libs. It was a good day.

I loved watching Kari with the kids, she is totally a natural teacher. When the students were introducing themselves to me this morning, they were all telling me things they love about their teacher. Some examples: "Mrs. Brookins is the best teacher in the whole school!" "Mrs. Brookins is so cool because she starts snowball fights at recess!" "I like Mrs. Brookins because she is basically like a teenager." "Mrs. Brookins is really funny and tells good jokes." You get the idea - they all LOVE her. (and so do i)

Well kids, I think that is all I have in me tonight. My eyelids are heavy from the long drive, so it is early to bed for me. More to come tomorrow! Stay tuned : )

P.S. I don't think Kari knows I took this picture!

23

What a gloomy day! Sleet... freezing mist.... whatever you would like to call it, I am not a fan of having it blow in my face. Oh WELLLL. Nate took me out to lunch today at our favorite little Turkish restaurant called Black Sea. It is right around the corner from his apartment, so we go there pretty often. It is owned and operated by this adorable couple from Istanbul; they do all the cooking, cleaning, and serving by themselves. Anywho - if you are in St. Paul looking for a great, cheap meal in a cozy atmosphere, check it out. It is on the corner of Snelling and Minnehaha - the place with the blue awning. I am posting a picture so you can get an idea of the feel.
I will be off to work here in a while, then my dad is cooking some crab legs tonight!

Foggy Day

It has been a good start to the day. I slept in, got myself a latte and a muffin, and now I am watching TLC and relaxing before work. I will probably start to pack some clothes when I am finished here, because I am going to see Kari on Wednesday! I will get to see her classroom and be like one of her students for a day. : ) I have told her that when I have kids, she is going to have to switch classrooms every year so she will always be their teacher.

In other news, I am still waiting to hear if I am accepted to Moorhead's nursing program for this coming fall. I was supposed to hear by the end of February, but I was told they are running behind with their reviews. So now I should be hearing by the 14th.... Keep your fingers crossed for me! If I don't get in this fall, I will still be taking classes at Moorhead and I will apply again for the nursing program the following year. But this fall would be much better : )

So I hope you have a good day and enjoy this picture of me and my uncle Charlie.

Minnesota residents miss Stephanie Guidera already. Especially me!

I lost my cat, had a panic attack, called in to work, walked around the neighborhood for an hour shaking cat treats, cried a lot, then found her under Emily's bed.

Okay I think this is what I wanted

Okay great! Looks like I can upload photos just fine. Maybe the entire world is already familiar with this website, but I am just discovering it for myself now. And I think I like it!

Tryout

Well hi. I am just figuring out how this all works. Hopefully we can all keep in touch better using a program like this? A little more personal than facebook. Not sure if we can upload photos or anything yet...