Say it isn't so

It is so. I am actually done. Finished. I have reached the end of this marathon race. I have so many mixed emotions, it is hard to start describing them.

Elated because I don't have to worry about finishing assignments
Relaxed because I don't have to deal with the frustrations of school
Lost because I don't know what I should be doing now
Sad because I will miss the people that I have formed bonds with
Hopeful because I will get to see some of those people
Hesitant to celebrate because I am in the process of applying for grad school
Thankful for the support from my friends and family (especially Nate when he was patient with my less-than-optimally-clean ways)

I'm taking these positive emotions and remembering what it feels like, so I can learn how to appropriately adjust my attitude during stressful times. I'm off to accomplish some other exciting things I have been pushing off until I had more time. (Finish my christmas cards, buy a couple christmas presents, sign a lease, explore puppy ads, finish class slideshow, finish NCLEX application, take a bath :) I love life. **In other news, I reconnected with an old friend today** It just keeps on getting better.

Bits of self reflection

If I have learned anything this semester, it is how to be extremely vague and wordy without getting a point across. In filling out evaluations, I found that I can talk around things without really saying much or making many points. Maybe this is just a result of too many assignments and senioritis... (should invent a med for that). My last doosey of a paper - 40 pages of text written with a partner thank goodness - was essentially loops of words. When you get to a certain length and level, as long as you throw in enough big buzz words, they just think you know what you're talking about, when really you're just trying to find enough text to fill up so many pages so they really don't want to read it.

Reading through my stuff to find a perfect example has left me empty handed. However, I did not venture into said 40pg paper. Maybe at the time when I'm writing it, it doesn't seem to make sense when in actuality it does and I've just sat here for too long reading and trying to find the perfect words to describe how I've met Course Objectives #1-9.

In other news, I've started an extensive "for fun" reading list that I can't wait to conquer!!! First up, Marley and Me. I've read the first four chapters at Hastings as a stress reliever, comical break, bad procrastinaiton habit. Think I'll finally give in and buy the book as a present to myself on Tuesday, December 16.

*4 days, 15 hours, 40 minutes

'Tis the Season!

'Tis the Season for Christmas Carols! Hope you enjoy this other little gem. Definitely will make you smile and feel warm and fuzzy.



Da Yoopers, Rusty Chevrolet

A little late, but a classic

I am in the process of writing my annual Christmas letter, and I needed to know the correct spelling for Da Yoopers when I found this gem! I didn't even know a video existed for it! Hope you enjoy.

Da Yoopers, Second Week of Deer Camp

I can't do it!

I've decided for this one and only semester, I'm going to be fine with getting a C, whether it be on a paper, test, or crazy 20+ page project that needs to be started. I tried to not frantically study for my last test, and it went pretty well. I only studied for about three hours (on and mostly off) and managed to pull a high B/ low A away from it. I was completely satisfied with both the effort I put in and the grade I got out. (As I would have been with a low B/ high C.)

However, I'm finding that I cannot slack off on my papers!!!! Trust me, it is not because I want the good grade; it is because I'm passionate about the topics I am writing about. My latest paper was about universal health care. I think I have more than 6 references! WTF! I only needed one more reference other than the book I read for the stinking paper! Granted, one is a dictionary, one is a website, and three are different chapters in my edited book (all requiring separate entries according to APA guidelines). I wanted to support my ideas, but I don't think I needed to with this much annoying detail. Even though I am passionate about the subject, I go into this manic like phase when I write and I impulsively look for facts and figures and expert opinions to validate my opinions. It must be the journalist in me still hanging on from 6 years ago. Old habits do die hard...

Some randomness for you, oh reader, after the four and half hours I spent being a manic paper writer, I left this trusty cafe with the comfy seats and friendly baristas for the mall to get some real food. Even though I'm usually disgusted by early Christmas crap, I found myself happily engaging in the uplifting atmosphere. I ignored the looming cloud of schoolwork hanging above my head and imagined what it might be like to be those people having fun shopping for early Christmas gifts. Little kids squeal in delight, young teenage girls giggle about passing boys, a couple stare longly into each other's eyes, everyone looks like they don't have to do homework... EVER. I can honestly say that for a couple minutes I was able to completely forget what it was like to be buried under this suffocating heap of 'busy'work.

Ah.... such bliss.

Back to Paper #2 - Healthy Work Environment Status as Measured by Receiving the Beacon Award a 10-15 pager.

aaahhhhhhh *sigh of relief*

It is strange how life gives you those simple reminders that you're doing the right thing. I was certain that my attitude for one class was less than positively radiant, and I felt guilty for this. I was worried that my instructor would take on the burden that my dissatisfaction and frustration was partly her fault, but of course it wasn't. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of work I still need to do in the 39 days and 20 hours left until The End, and I may have reflected this in my weekly update to her.

Thankfully, I had an opportunity to clarify my "concept of nursing" with her at my mid term meeting, and at the end of our meeting, she gave me one of the most heartfelt and sincere comments any nursing instructor gave me. She said that I may be quiet during our small group discussions and class, but when I do contribute to the group discussion, she feels that what I say is thoughtful and meaningful. She continued to say that this trait is very important for nurses to have because it lets patients feel as if they are being listened to.

Through all of the agony endured in my five and a half year stint as a student, these infrequent but memorable experiences remind me that I am doing something right and will one day be a successful professional in the career that I have invested so much emotional energy in. Thank you, comment givers, for helping me (and many others) see that glaring light at the end of the tunnel.

Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Wow.

I'm relieved that I don't have to abandon the country now.

Barack Obama Full Presidential Elect Acceptance Speech

Speaks for itself

Voter Caging in Montana, Missoula Red Tape, voter suppression Montana

Deadlines

Being a student teaches you all about deadlines and time management - most times in cruel and unusual ways. This post is not about the stress of being a college student. I'm slowly maturing into my 'professional life' and looking at the bigger picture. Right now, that 'bigger picture' is the impending election. 

Here is all of the information that you would ever need, regardless of which state you live in, about politics from a self-proclaimed non-biased source. 

Specifically, I was glad to see that Obama supported American Nurses Association initiatives 100% in 2005 and McCain supported ANA only 20% in 2005. 

Regardless of my obvious political bias, this is the reason why I'm writing. The deadline to register to vote in Montana by mail is today. However, if you're any bit of a procrastinator like I am, you can still register in person 'at your local election office'. 

Work of FICTION!

I touch your skin

it is electrifying - 

Oh how I've missed this.

~

I've missed touching you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I absorb your scent

memories flash before me,

of times you held me close.

~

I've missed your scent.

~~~~~~~~~~

You speak sweet words.

I've heard those words before,

but never with as much feeling.

~

I've missed your voice.

~~~~~~~~~~

Your lips gently press on mine -

you taste so sweet...

matches your personality.

~

Oh how I've longed to taste you.

~~~~~~~~~

Where are you?

For I cannot see you.

Oh please come back - 

I miss you.

***Disclaimer: For starters, I am not a genius at poetry metering and rhythm - sorry. Second - no part of this is true. *Not one lousy little part.* It is purely a work of fiction. 

Picture Letter

One of many Lost Lakes in Minnesota by Vermilion Lake.





Fires in Missoula.




Funky flower from the farmer's market.





Edinburgh Dahlia



Duckling looking to jump



...maybe just a little closer



... one webbed foot,



and the other!

Sexism - take II

It is funny how an educated woman, who actually has a personal values system, is ridiculed by the "elite" media as a a woman that reminds married men of their "nagging wives". I am so frustrated by the GOP's move to choose a WOMAN as VP, I can't find words to explain how I feel.



At least someone isn't afraid to call her what she is...



Tina Fey as Sarah Palin SNL spoof, Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin SNL, Saturday Night Live
Sarah Palin and Stephen Colbert Report

Enjoy - click for better views

There she is. 14,110 ft tall.



I think this picture shows the course from the ski area to Glen Cove.



One part of the W's at Pikes Peak.



The practice runs were held very early in the morning. The sun didn't have a chance to burn through this cloud front before it went on the course. If you look closely, you can see that this driver, Mike Childress #229, had his 2003 Ford F150 on two wheels! Mike finished 2nd in the ProTruck Divsion with a time of 14:16.701.



Fast car, nothing looks too wrong with it, right? Kind of throwing up a lot of dirt, but no biggie, right?
I think this is Robert Lopez #21 in the Pikes Peak Open division.



This tire and two more identical ones may be the reason for the car throwing up so much dirt! Mr. Lopez finished 2nd in his class in his 2006 Subaru WRX STI with a final time of 13:13.143. As a side note and not to discredit Robert's finish, half of the cars in the Pikes Peak Open division did not finish. Here is Marty Roestenburg, who was also in the Pikes Peak Open Division. Very nice guy and an exceptional racer. He was almost a full minute ahead of the other cars in his division at the 16 mile checkpoint!



Garden of the Gods.



Kissing camels at the Garden of the Gods. Can you see them?



Here are the camels close up.




COG railway. I hope it never needs these last couple of... inches!



2008 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb pictures, 2008 PPIHC pictures, 2008 Race to the Clouds pictures

Issues

In such an important and close presidential race, why would you initiate tactics like this retard did? The people that are on the fence want to know how one candidate is going to better this messed up country, and where he stands on the things that matter - the issues. IF, IF, I was voting for McCain, I would hope that the genius behind this ad was fired. But, as far as I'm concerned, keep him (or her) on! He's single handedly ruining McCain's reputation. Good. But, doesn't McCain approve his ads before airing them? Hm... who should really be fired then?

John McCain, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears campaign ad parody

Leavened or Unleavened

If I were a bread, I would like to imagine that my life would equate to a fresh bread made at the local bakery (Le Petit Outre). Free of preservatives and artificial colorings and flavorings. A simple yet complex blend of few ingredients that form together and the outcome is literally dependent on the weather. Somedays I'm tough and hard to swallow, other times, most enjoyable in moderation with a little bit of butter, and in some cases the sole perfect accompaniment to a warm, hearty bowl of soup.

Why in the world would a normally sane girl be comparing herself to a loaf of bread? Well, because I'm incredibly worried that my life is going to turn stale if I don't do something about it. I have been living in the freezer, known as Montana, for a while and haven't realized that life outside of the freezer is new and challenging, but what challenges do I want to take? Which ones do I want to avoid? Am I just making a huge mess of nothing? I want to go out and discover new places and breads, but at what cost? Will I be leavened and rise to the occasion and search out new experiences, or will I be unleavened, humble, and enjoy what I have for the fact that I'm familiar with my situation... does that breed contempt, or contentment?

Any and all suggestions are welcomed with open ears.