Trying not to get too excited

So, I haven't really talked about school much lately, mostly because it has been drab.  I learn a lot, yes, but the hands on experiences are what I really love and love to talk about. So, I am excited to report that my clinical rotation starts this summer! This summer's rotation will focus on basic health assessment. By the end, I should know how to fully assess people and know what the next steps are to take if I see a problem.  I found a place that is close to home that has two Certified Nurse Midwives in the practice. I am beyond excited to work with them because the thought of becoming a midwife has always sat in the back of my mind.  I am the type of person who is always planning and jumping ahead (those of you who know me are probably laughing at the solid truth in that statement). So, now that becoming a Women's Health  NP is coming up.. I am already thinking.. do I want to become a midwife??  I need to slllowwww down and make it through the program, then graduate, then get a job, then work for a little while, throw in a marriage and some kids in there... and THEN I can think about becoming a midwife. Either way I hope this works out. I haven't received a definite yes from them yet, I should know by next week.  Trying not to get too excited.  This experience with them could be so valuable to me.  So, for those of you who pray... pray for me that this works out. K thanks! 

Fabric Flowers in Bloom

Today was a glorious day. 

My friend Amanda came to town.

We ate crepes.

Spinach and cream crepes.
The one below is an apple crepe.

So incredible.

Apple Crepe from Chez Pierre Creperie.

Drank chai tea lattes to keep us warm.

It was quite chilly outside, especially for April. grrr.

Investigated a new recreation area being constructed in our home town.

walking in through the entrance

water playground for the children

I sometimes forget how colorful sand is.

My feets.

I used to love to swing. Not as much anymore.
Almost gives me motion sickness. Boo.

Visited Manda's mom at work and she gave us a bunch of free stuff that they use as incentives for the customers to sign up for accounts or credit cards! We like free stuff!

Manda with all her goodies... blanket.. backpack... books.

Joined our friend Ashley at her house.
Which looks lovely and fresh.
Hopefully she posts a before and after of her home (hint hint).
She and her husband redecorated drastically since last year.

Drank some tea.

such a funny mug.

Made headbands out of felt and old t-shirts.

Manda's headband.

My headband! I don't usually like pink, but this really pale pink I am liking!

This is the tutorial I used to learn how to make the roses... then I just cut off the bottom of the rose (you'll see the long end in the tutorial) and hot glued them to a strip of jersey t shirt.

Fun day.

These are a few of my favorite things.

I have an insane love for dresses. They are my favorite thing to wear.  I think it is because I do not have to put any thought into my outfit. I pick out a dress, sometimes a belt to go with it, a cardigan if its chilly and bing bang boom, I have a whole outfit! Dresses are easy. One piece of clothing and I am done. 

I recently counted the number of dresses in my closet (including the four I purchased last week... oops) and my grand total... yikes... 71 DRESSES. Holy guacamole! This includes summer dresses, maxi dresses, formal dresses, beach dresses, tshirt/jersey dresses, all of them... but I guess it is still an insane amount of dresses. I do, however, wear almost all of them all the time. I wear dresses whenever I can. In the summer with flip flops or strappy sandals... in the fall with tights, boots, and a cardigan... in the winter with leggings and sweaters. I wear them year round. Dresses anchor my closet.

It's a wonderful obsession.

in South Carolina Summer 09.

Dancing at Jay's mama's 50th bday party

Drinking wine at a friend's apt.

Derby Party May 2010

At a graduation party summer 2010

Ready to go out for my birthday July 2010

Boat Cruise for my birthday Summer 2010

My cousins baby, Summer 2010.

Bachelorette Party Summer 2010

Summer 2010 at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
(this doesnt really qualify since its a skirt, but i love this outfit)

Fall 2010. Before the DMB show in Chicago

Fall 2010

This past New Years

Seeing a band... being goofy.

March 2011 at a Breast Cancer Benefit

In Germany

Two summers ago

At a wedding a few years back

New Years Eve a couple years ago

At a bar at U of I

Dancing with Jay at a party

Fun with Shley in my basement

Perspective.

Sometimes to get me through situations that I know I am being irrationally emotional about (see previous post)... I have to take a step back, take a deep breathe, and give myself some perspective.

Sky and Water by M.C.Escher

     This boy that I knew from elementary school and middle school died the other day.  I haven't seen him since I was in high school and I do not even know him anymore  From what I do remember, he was always so nice and goofy.  It saddens me, because he was so young.  I think about his family, his friends, his girl friend. My heart goes out to his loved ones that are hurting and missing him right now.  

     He had a really bad headache and asked his girlfriend take him to the hospital.  Within five minutes of him being in the Emergency Department, he died from a brain aneurysm.  My friends have been asking me if this is something we have to worry about or something we can do to prevent such things. There really isn't. He was so young and seemingly healthy. This was just one of those freak events that no one could have predicted or prevented. I did learn from some of my old classmates who kept in touch with him that he was an organ donor, which is one amazing thing we can take away from a young death. He could have saved over 8 lives.  I hope you are all organ donors.  Learn More

     A patient at my hospital who was really young and came in for a somewhat simple procedure died the other day.  Two of my co workers (the nurse and the nurse assistant) were in the room with the patient at 3am. At 4am, the nurse walked into the room and discovered that the patient had passed away.  We went through the whole rapid response and code blue process, but the patient was gone.  My co worker was shaking as she had to call the family and tell them what happened.  I cannot reveal any real details of the situation and I honestly don't know that many details, because they have to perform an autopsy on the patient to see what went wrong.  It was so shocking and unexpected that it just rattles you.

     Situations like this give you perspective. You really have no idea when your time is going to come.  I think we get so caught up with the little things in life, that we aren't looking at the big picture.  Is it really worth it to get that upset when your boyfriend forgets to call you back, because he is playing video games? Is it really that big of a deal when the lady at the drive-thru gets your order wrong? Is it really that inconvenient that you have to stay at work an extra hour? Is it that awful when you get stuck in traffic?

The Beatles put it best... "there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend". 

There really isn't.

Food Frustration

I made dinner for Jay last night and it almost ended in tears.  I truly hate cooking for him.  He is just really good at cooking so he is the one who cooks all the time.  Every now and then I get an urge to cook for him, like I did last night.  I had questions on the best way to cut the chicken and which way he thinks would be the best way to cook the chicken.  He loves the science of food and cooking, so he explained a lot of stuff to me and the reasoning behind why there are certain techniques about cooking that I just have to know.  Even though it is not his fault, I ended up getting frustrated and upset, because I do not like doing things that I just totally suck at.  I feel stupid in front of him, because I know he is so good at cooking and I almost get embarrassed (which of course is ridiculous and irrational, because he is the one person I should never feel embarrassed in front of).  So I kick him out of the kitchen and hold back tears as I talk to myself in my head... "Rachelle, really? This is so not worth crying over. You are cooking. Just do your best and get it over with. He is going to eat whatever you give him and love it. Suck it up and save the tears!"  In the end I prepared...

Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with feta cheese drizzled with a balsamic glaze. (the only way i eat bacon)

and... 

Pan fried seasoned chicken breast topped with guacamole, onion, tomato, lettuce, pepperjack cheese (and Jay's had bacon) on a Kaiser Roll with sides of potato salad and baked beans.

He loved it and the dinner was a success.


To balance out my inability to really cook...
I am good at...
-taking pictures (do not judge from my crappy cell phone pics above).
-being a friend.
-staying in touch.
-planning.
-being a nurse.