Growing Up

I don't think we ever stop growing up. I've done a lot of extra growing up the past couple of months. As I'm working through my clinical hours I'm being introduced to so many people's intimate personal problems. And they're coming to ME for help! Watching people go through painful experiences and even face their mortality sometimes makes you grow up really fast. It's an honor to be welcomed into these strangers' lives and trusted with their health. There's always an opportunity to make a difference.

Something I've learned through my experiences is that your sick patient isn't always your only patient in the room. On one of my shifts we were going to be doing a procedure to a patient that is not a very easy thing to watch a loved one go through. Thankfully we were able to do it sedated, however, we still explained to his wife what was going to happen and asked her if she would be more comfortable stepping out. She wanted to stay but once we were going the look on her face showed so much fear. I was able to go over to her and tell her that he was doing just fine and that this was going to help him. She still looked scared so I told her she could go over and actually feel his pulse. I showed her where she could find it on his wrist. As soon as she felt his pulse for herself she wasn't just trusting us anymore. She knew for herself he was okay. For those few minutes she was my patient. Not the man on the bed.

One of the things I was nervous about was my age. I was worried my patients wouldn't trust me or take me seriously because I am so young. I was worried that my OB patients wouldn't trust me because I've never been pregnant. I was worried the parents of my pediatric patients wouldn't trust me because I've never had my own children. I was worried my adult and geriatric patients wouldn't trust me because I haven't had as much life experience as they have. But I realized that it doesn't matter. This is what I do. This is what I know. I will always be growing up, but if I can demonstrate knowledge, confidence, and competence it doesn't matter at what stage of life I am in. I know what I can do and I know that I still have a lot to learn and experience. I'm just grateful to be part of these peoples' worst days and so honored that I get to be the one to help make it better.

Just some thoughts

Sometimes I get up on a soapbox and stay there for way too long. Mostly only if I'm talking to Keith or writing on here. So fair warning: this is one of those times.

One thing I realized with all of this "make Kony famous" stuff going on is that I am so anti-slacktivism. Definition (courtesy of urbandictionary.com):

The act of participating in obviously pointless activities as an expedient alternative to actually expending effort to fix a problem.

I can't stand it! I feel like I sound so mean but really I think it's so dumb. "I'm a social activist because I don't just surf the internet all day- I surf the internet all day while wearing a 'Kony 2012' bracelet, an 'I love boobies' wrist band, and a pair of TOMS."

If you really want to make a difference in the world go join the military or become a police officer or go on a service mission. Those are the people who are actually getting up and doing something good. And a lot of them don't rub it in the world's face and spam everyone with it because it's trendy. (Some of them do...and that's annoying...but they're better than slacktivists.)

Anyway. Yeah. I could say a lot more but I need to learn when enough of my opinion is enough :)

just my luck.

The week my life gets crazy I get sick. I mentioned it in my Valentine's post but I wish that's all it was. I can deal with everything but nausea and unfortunately it has plagued me. I got up for class this morning and it was not pleasant. I napped all afternoon once I got home and still feel miserable. Go away yucky stomach. Please. I have better things to do than baby you. Speaking of better things to do- wish me luck on my first ER day on Monday!

Love is in the air!

Or at least in our house! We had a fantastic Valentines despite both of us having to work all day and me getting a sore throat. We were able to spend the whole evening together and it was nice. I made Keith a candy bouquet that was "planted" in a flower pot. It had a candy-gram with a poem too. I wish I could take credit for writing it, but I can't. I also got him some of his favorite candy that wasn't part of the poem and wrote out a candy heart message.

Back in January 2011, Keith gave me a beautiful rose necklace for my birthday. Unfortunately, when we took a trip in June, it fell out of my wallet while travelling and got lost. I was so upset with myself. Well Keith totally spoiled me and got me a new one for Valentine's. I couldn't believe it. I felt terrible! Grateful but so embarrassed that I lost the first one!! He also got me a box of hand-picked See's truffles. I love chocolates but really just the plain chocolate and dark chocolate truffles. i had never gotten a box of just my favorites before and he went out and got some for me! He is such a sweetie! I seriously don't know how I got to be so lucky. And it doesn't even stop there! Keith made me dinner tonight! He bought steaks and learned this fancy way to cook them and it was so yummy. Even with a sore throat. Later, he took me to the gasstation for anicee and throat lozenges. I am spoiled rotten. I admire his selflessness and try to be even half the spouse that he is to me. I love my man! Here are some pictures :)

Panic Mode

Yep. That's what I am officially in- panic mode. I just scheduled my clinical hours for school and There are several weeks where I'll be doing a 48-hour shift at the fire station followed by a work day, and overnight shift at the ER, another work day, and then a night lecture. I think I'm just not going to sleep. Ever. For the next two months it'll only be about 60 hours a week, but once April hits it'll be at least 80 hours a week. Which all calculated out doesn't sound too bad I guess but it's the fact that those hours are broken up with only 3-4 hours in between every place I have to be (which includes the hour commute.) So that means I get 3 hours MAX of sleep at a time!! Maybe I'll get lucky at the fire station and we'll have quiet nights and I'll get some shut-eye then. My ER overnights, however, will be 12 hours straight on my feet. This is all assuming I'm allowed to keep my job. I have to take off 7 days in the next couple months. If they're okay with that then hopefully I won't fall asleep on the job when I come straight from an overnight ER shift.

It's scary but I know this program is where Heavenly Father wants me. I don't know what other plans He has for me, but I know at least I'm doing this paramedic program the way He wants. For our livelihood's sake, I'm trying to do the extra job my way and that's what's pushing my schedule from busy to insane. We need it though. Keith works so hard for us and I love all he does. I can't wait until I can be done with school and pull my full weight.

Happy birthday to me!

BOY have I been BUSY! But lucky me- all with fun stuff! I turned 21 on the 29th and had a long weekend of stretched out birthday fun. On Thursday, my aunt Sharell took me out to lunch and a movie. We went to see Joyful Noise. It was good! Definitely a feel-good movie.

Friday Keith gave me my present two days early. It was a gift certificate for an hour massage and a 30-minute facial. HOLLA! He knows me so well. That was the perfect thing he could have gotten me. (I ask him to rub my back about 2 times a day at least...) The facial was a fun bonus for him to throw in because the other day he was rubbing my head and face and I melted "like a popsicle on the fourth of July." (Name that movie!!) Then that night we went out to dinner. To TUCANO'S! It was a rare treat. Neither of us had been before and we both loved it. No complaints other than I wish my stomach was bottomless and I could eat so much more of everything! It was fun to get dressed up and out to a nice dinner. Here are some pics:

Keith LOVED the Brazilian lemonade. It's sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, water, and ice. Sounds weird but it was really good.

On Saturday I redeemed the massage gift certificate. It was divine. A-MA-ZING. I have yet to get the facial but I am definitely looking forward to it. Sunday was my actual birthday. We went to church and played with our nursery kids and had a fun time. Keith even got them (to try) to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. We went to my aunt Sharell's for dinner and cake and got to relax for a little bit until unfortunately Keith had to go to work. It was kinda sad but I had been so spoiled all weekend it was just fine.

I was also super spoiled by my family! From my mom I got a new MAC eyeshadow (Beauty Marked), a leave-in conditioner I've been wanting for a while, a new OPI nail polish (Glitzerland which I am currently wearing and loving) and an Applebee's gift card that will fund our date night this week! Here are some online images I found of those things because I couldn't capture how awesome they are with my camera on my phone:

From Keith's mom I got a red KitchenAid stand mixer! It is sitting pretty on my kitchen counter :) Here is another online image:

Isn't it beautiful!? I used it the other day to make sugar cookies that Keith and I decorated.

**Wow and I just noticed my arm looks sickly thin in that picture. I think it's just the picture because yeah...that doesn't even look healthy. But OBVIOUSLY (because I have a whole plate of cookies in front of me) malnourishment is not a problem ;)

Maybe if you're lucky we'll come bring some of our cookies to you! I tried a new recipe and they are really yummy. I'm not usually a sugar cookie fan but these are super soft and delicious.

In summary, I had a great birthday weekend. I am so lucky. Not just for all the material things that I was so lucky to get as birthday presents but for the love I get from those around me. I don't know what I'd do without my family and husband. I am a very blessed girl. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a special day!

Craft Night

My friend Lacey and I had a craft night a couple days ago! We had a fun time watching movies, eating pizza, staying inside warm from the snow, and being crafty. She painted a super cute board to hang in her house and I made an "I love you because..." sign. You write on the glass in dry-erase marker. Both turned out way cute! Take a look!

I kept getting paint on my hands, hence the gloves. I don't know why I was making that face though. No explanation for that one.

Our projects in progress!

All finished!!