Let's start from the very beginning, a very good place to start.
When you count you being with one.. two.. three. When you 'nursing school' you begin with O.. M.. G..
The second to last week of school was filled with running head-on into school stresses, but I managed to laugh and smile and be joyful in my circumstances. It is always better to have wonderful souls walking down a path with you, especially when all you have in your hand is a lantern and it's hard to see what is going to be thrown at you next. Nursing school isn't hard solely because of the mass of information required to fit inside each student's brain; in addition to this mass of information, nursing students also embark on an emotional roller coaster, which takes you up and down "I-don't-knows" and "I-don't-have-time" and "I'm-so-afraid." Nursing school yanks you out of your comfort zone academically and clinically, sometimes even socially. It is wonderful to have those non-nurses friends who are standing behind me as I embark on this journey and those nursing friends, who accompany me as I trudge through the unknown.
* * *
Cupcakes are no joke when it comes to my sister. On Saturday, my sister and I were both working on projects while listening to Christmas music; she was in the kitchen while I was in the den. When we caught a break, we would switch spots to give constructive criticism on the other's work; she came in the den to look at my poster project while I went into the kitchen to check out her baby-themed cupcakes. Both of our projects turned out swell, if I don't say so myself.
Al's Sugar and Spice Co homemade and handcrafted baby-themed cupcakes. She had to free-hand all of these since her tools were not readily available. Let me tell you, Alexandra has a lot more patience than I do!
On the other side of the Crawford's kitchen walls, I was completing a Nutrition poster project which was due this past Monday. In addition to the poster board which outlined the positive outcomes of the use of herbs and spices in an individual's diet, I handcrafted two different dips: Pumpkin Pie Spice Dip and Dill Dip.
* * *
In other news, it is officially Christmas season in my home village - yes, 'official,' meaning I can celebrate openly without getting publicly reprimanded for my 'loud Christmas music' or for my 'red and green sweaters' or for my 'peppermint hot chocolate and/or coffee.' My day was made when I walked into work this past Saturday and found out that it was 'Santa Cow' day! Like for real, was probably more excited than most of the kids, especially since the Santa Cow and the Elf Cow made some of the kids cry. From these experiences, I can definitely assure you that I will be 'that mom' who brings her kids to get Santa pictures at least once a year (probably more, since, you know, Santa Cow is real).
So thankful for my friends at work. They end my weeks with happiness and help me find the joy in my life. Most of them probably think I am crazy. . like crazy, because sometimes (well, most all the time) I have to unwind and be myself; and Chick-fil-a is where I can be myself, my crazy, sarcastic, joking, smiling, weird self. So thanks, CFA FAM, for being my unwind-dates, for reminding me that I am special, for reminding me that I am loved; thanks for being another support system for me, and helping me get through this journey, reminding me along the way that I am not alone.
* * *
P L O G G I N G to COMMEMORATE the SECOND-to-LAST-WEEK of FALL 2015 CLASSES.
My story is best illustrated in selfies and sarcastic but true snapchats. Sometimes you need a break, to go at decorate your grandparent's Christmas tree; to take a nap; and to watch Christmas movies, especially the Grinch!
Here is my ever-so-often P L O G .
When you count you being with one.. two.. three. When you 'nursing school' you begin with O.. M.. G..
The second to last week of school was filled with running head-on into school stresses, but I managed to laugh and smile and be joyful in my circumstances. It is always better to have wonderful souls walking down a path with you, especially when all you have in your hand is a lantern and it's hard to see what is going to be thrown at you next. Nursing school isn't hard solely because of the mass of information required to fit inside each student's brain; in addition to this mass of information, nursing students also embark on an emotional roller coaster, which takes you up and down "I-don't-knows" and "I-don't-have-time" and "I'm-so-afraid." Nursing school yanks you out of your comfort zone academically and clinically, sometimes even socially. It is wonderful to have those non-nurses friends who are standing behind me as I embark on this journey and those nursing friends, who accompany me as I trudge through the unknown.
* * *
Cupcakes are no joke when it comes to my sister. On Saturday, my sister and I were both working on projects while listening to Christmas music; she was in the kitchen while I was in the den. When we caught a break, we would switch spots to give constructive criticism on the other's work; she came in the den to look at my poster project while I went into the kitchen to check out her baby-themed cupcakes. Both of our projects turned out swell, if I don't say so myself.
Al's Sugar and Spice Co homemade and handcrafted baby-themed cupcakes. She had to free-hand all of these since her tools were not readily available. Let me tell you, Alexandra has a lot more patience than I do!
Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Pie Spice Dip
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt// 1/4 cup pumpkin puree// 1 tsp cinnamon// 1 tsp ginger// 1 tsp nutmeg// 1 tsp cloves// 1 tsp vanilla extract//
Directions: mix ingredients together in one bowl// chill overnight// serve with animal crackers, 'nilla wafers, or something similar//
Dill and Herb Dip
Ingredients: 1/2 Greek Yogurt// 1/2 cup light sour cream// 2 tbsp dill seed// 1 tbsp parsley// 1 tbsp rosemary// 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar// 1 tsp garlic// freshly ground black pepper to taste//
Directions: mix ingredients together// chill overnight// serve with saltines, wheat Triscut crackers, or something similar//
For the Dill Dip, I 'titrated up' the herbs - meaning, I added the initial amount of herbs, then continued to add a little more of this and a little more of that until the taste was good enough to satisfy my taste buds.
HEALTHY DIP TIPS - (1) DO NOT use mayonnaise; Greek Yogurt and light sour cream give the dip a perfect creamy and 'fatty' taste without being unhealthy. (2) watch how many crackers you use while eating these dips. If you want to be healthy-healthy, then dip fruit, such as apple slices, in the Pumpkin Pie Spice Dip and vegetables into the Dill Dip.
* * *
In other news, it is officially Christmas season in my home village - yes, 'official,' meaning I can celebrate openly without getting publicly reprimanded for my 'loud Christmas music' or for my 'red and green sweaters' or for my 'peppermint hot chocolate and/or coffee.' My day was made when I walked into work this past Saturday and found out that it was 'Santa Cow' day! Like for real, was probably more excited than most of the kids, especially since the Santa Cow and the Elf Cow made some of the kids cry. From these experiences, I can definitely assure you that I will be 'that mom' who brings her kids to get Santa pictures at least once a year (probably more, since, you know, Santa Cow is real).
So thankful for my friends at work. They end my weeks with happiness and help me find the joy in my life. Most of them probably think I am crazy. . like crazy, because sometimes (well, most all the time) I have to unwind and be myself; and Chick-fil-a is where I can be myself, my crazy, sarcastic, joking, smiling, weird self. So thanks, CFA FAM, for being my unwind-dates, for reminding me that I am special, for reminding me that I am loved; thanks for being another support system for me, and helping me get through this journey, reminding me along the way that I am not alone.
* * *
P L O G G I N G to COMMEMORATE the SECOND-to-LAST-WEEK of FALL 2015 CLASSES.
My story is best illustrated in selfies and sarcastic but true snapchats. Sometimes you need a break, to go at decorate your grandparent's Christmas tree; to take a nap; and to watch Christmas movies, especially the Grinch!
Here is my ever-so-often P L O G .
Welcome to the last week of nursing school, finals week. Purely motivation was my drive the first few weeks of the semester, now it is mainly coffee and naps and thinking about Christmas. But I haven't the time to let motivation lag; this last week is one of the most important of my semester.
L e t ' s D o T h i s .
- The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. -
Proverbs 18:10
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" Feeling good on my own
w i t h o u t y o u . . .
the beautiful comes
w i t h o u t y o u . . . "
- Hailee Steinfield