Yes

This summer has already been so much dang fun and the festivities are going to continue.  Now that my boards are passed (pure torture*), I feel like a I am as free as a bird.  My sister is having a baby in one week, then Beth is having another baby, then a wedding, and a little work squeezed in the mix.  I like this summer indeed.

*You know how after you do something hard you realize "ah, it wasn't so bad in retrospect".  Well truth be told, this was not the case for my boards.  They were the devil and the thought of them actually makes my stomach churn.  The lady at the testing center said once this is over you'll be able to relax.  Lady, that is the opposite of what I did.  I was so sick all day (heart rate cruising, nausea, vomiting).  It was so weird.  I've never been so physically sick from an exam.  But two long days later, I found out I passed and burst into tears.  Let's just say I am glad it's over.

Exciting News.

I know, 2 blog post in one day, I need to take it easy. BUT I have really exciting news.

A couple of months ago I applied for Camp Rainbow Gold (an oncology camp) as a Counselor.
Camp Rainbow Gold is put on the by the American Cancer Society for children who have cancer and their families.  I didn't know if they would allow me to go because I will not be able to attend one of the mandatory days of camp training. The lady I talked to on the phone said she would ask the camp director but my chances were slim.  I practically begged her to let me come and to do all the sweet talking she could to the big man on campus.  After talking to a few different ladies (and telling each of them to put in a good word for me with the director, classy, I know).

Turns out. I got an email today saying I was in.

I CAN NOT WAIT for this experience.  I will be a camp counselor, teaching photography, and playing with the children.  Doesn't it sound heavenly, I think so.  


Remember to SIGN UP for the GIVEAWAY below.

blue is my favorite color.

Last weekend I wore blue in honor of colon cancer awareness month and some friends.
Two of my dear friends have lost a parent to this cancer.

It is real.
Colon Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths.
It is the most common internal cancer.

I also attended a colon cancer conference last week where I met with a gastroenterologist.
The G.I. Dr. provided the attendees with great information regarding prevention and awareness.

Here are a list of prevention strategies he shared:

High fiber diet
Adequate folate intake and Vitamin D
High calcium diet: 400-800 mg/day
No more than 2 servings of red meat a week
Maintain your ideal body weight
No tobacco
At age 40, taking a baby Aspirin a day can help decrease your risk. (Cancer is an inflammatory process, Aspirin aids in inflammation).
Starting at age 50, you should get a colonoscopy every 5 years.
If a close family member was diagnosed with colon cancer, you should get a colonoscopy ten years before the age they were diagnosed. For example, if they were diagnosed at age 37, you should get a colonoscopy at age 27. Make sense?
Physical activity at least 4x a week.
Some Dr.'s swear that Flintstone vitamins are the best :) Really he said that.

Hopefully this helps someone!

I am grateful for what I have learned in nursing school.
Am learning.
And will continue to learn.
I feel like I have learned some very valuable lessons.

The most valuable lesson being..

Be grateful for good health. 
Don't take it for granted.

Because you never know. You really don't.
This week I worked with some very ill patients.
No one ever expects or plans on getting sick in their life.
Most people think, It won't happen to me.



My experiences this week helped me put things into a little better perspective.

Happiness today. Going Private.

i didn't think i would ever blog while in nursing.  but it is kind of an outlet for me.

today i feel calm.  a lot of changes are happening, but i feel at peace.

things that make me happy today:

my clean bed

spencer is having fun skiing

woken up by cold hands

smell of fresh laundry

my wall paper came. i love looking at it

i dont have to go to school today, but i do have to read these

school has been good.  i actually really like it.  nursing encompasses a lot more than i anticipated.

the second week of lab was interesting.  i totally embarrassed myself and wanted to crawl under a table.

the story makes me sick to think about and write, if you want to hear it though, i'll tell.

i got a 79 on a pharmacology test last night. depressing. it'll get better.

all in all, i can't wait to be a nurse.  i love learning.

happy tuesday.

p.s. keep those email addresses coming if you'd like. private soon.

loves.

Tempted

Am I tempted to get one of these??

Yes, I am.

Will I?

I JUST CAN'T DO IT.

no I am not humble enough

$900 worth of books is really going to take a toll on the old spine though.

{not that if you have one its bad, i just wouldn't go straight to...}

A new.

I usually don't express my emotions on my blog.

But as of late, I have had lots of emotions going on in my head.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

I love this phrase. And it brings me much comfort as I am about to start a New Adventure.

I will refer to it often, and be reminded.

Keep Calm and Carry On.

On a side note. Aren't these great. I think they tell a story.

the news is..

I got in. You can uncross your fingers :)

{Wait, keep them crossed until I graduate}