Opportunity.

Every night before I go to bed, I try to say a little prayer. I always thank God for the opportunities that were presented each day. I think that word is so powerful. Each day has so many available opportunities and it is my choice on what I do with them. 

On another note, it is so refreshing to run on the treadmill and not be reading or thinking about anything other than running. In my crazy world of multi-multi tasking, it is much needed:)

For once in my life.

A few random observations for the day:

-Megan on A.I. is super cute, but so awkward.

-I am super excited to be reading about organ systems.

-I am very much enjoying not eating meat. 

-The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is now one of my favorite book lists.

-I had a study date tomorrow at the library with Jonathan. Due to the economy the library closes at 5 now. We are now going to Starbucks. 

-I am enjoying my days, as always. :)

Peace, love, and buddies, 

E. 

I can't wait to learn so much more information than I've known or ever thought I would know on my way to being a nurse. I can't wait till I can answer Jonathan's random questions he's asked me for years. I can't wait until I don't have to look at 25 kids who are hearing one thing you're saying and you can see it literally flying out the other end. I can't wait until I get treated with some respect by the outside world. I can't wait until I don't have to take home hours and hours of work after school and on the weekends. I can't wait until I don't have to answer to the AZ Department of Education because they have no idea what they are talking about and have never been in the classroom and have no clue on research and best practices and what works for kids. I can't wait until I feel like I am putting my brain to good use.

Off my pedestal, 

E.

I never used to really watch TV as a form of entertainment, pretty much just due to boredom. Well I have a weekly schedule of "can't miss" shows that are DVR'd but I can't wait that long to watch them. Mondays: Jon & Kate Plus Eight. Tuesdays: Real Housewives of_______ (any city will do). Tuesdays & Wednesdays: American Idol. Thursdays: Hell's Kitchen. F & S not really anything. Sundays: Family Guy. Yep, officially a loser. 

Planning a trip to Denver with my sister April 10th to see our boyfriend Andrew! Very excited. 

Off to watch my show!

I've made up my mind, no need to think it over.

Another weekend comes to an end. At least I am looking forward to an upcoming three day weekend! Really want to go to Flagstaff, but thinking we should be more economical. 

Yesterday was a good day. Long... Got to see Allison and hang out for some girl time, and see John and hang out for some girl time. And then I really wanted to see Lydia at the Clubhouse and my sister (my show buddy) was out of town. So Jonathan was a trouper and came with me. We had a very nice evening and drank Bud Light after Bud Light. Now today I'm trying to catch up, like always, with everything.

Almost done with my BIO class! Doing fine, just wishing I had more time to devote to it on the weekends but I'm usually catching up with lesson plans, ILLPs, ELL plans, etc. I know I will really miss being in the classroom, but when I think of all of the time I spend on the extra nonsense (because that is what it is...nonsense) I will know I've made the right choice. 

Well I'm going to make the bed, fold some laundry, and continue working on teacher stuff. Until next time,

E.

I'm really worried about Chase. I won't go into too much graphic detail but he's not doing very well:( The vet was booked today so we can't take him until tomorrow, which was our date night, so that is ruined! But I just hope he's okay and whatever he has / needs isn't too expensive!

Today we went on a field trip to Rio Salado, or Salt River, in Spanish. It was nice to be outside of the classroom (which by the way has had no air conditioning  since before Spring Break) and take a break from AIMS Prep!! Cannot wait until that's over! I told my kids we can do whatever they want after AIMS and I 100% mean it.

Starting to feel better about my BIO class. I'm really pushing myself to take notes, do all the online practice, and really have a good understanding of it. I know it will be helpful in the long run. I only have three weeks left and then I start CHM! Ouch. I really need these refreshers though! And it's not cutting into my "real" pre-requisite time. 

It is so peaceful right now in my house. No TV, no dogs at my feet. I'm going to enjoy this. Until later,

E.

I almost forgot to add.

I'm dying for a break here. Or 30 minutes north of that.

You can sleep when you die.

Sleep: I have not being doing so well in that department. The speed a which my mind races at night is mind boggling. If I wake up in the middle of the night, it's due to my thoughts. I could use some meditation ... acupuncture ... if that even works. Something. And it would help if Chase were not sick.

Anyways, today I made portobello fajitas. Very delicious. And no meat! Today I passed Burger King, and although it smelled delicious, it grossed me out thinking about eating it. Very exciting. 

Looking forward to this weekend (already) for some quality girl/old friend time. Until next time. Boy, am I boring. 

these hammers and strings been following me around.

Today I took my midterm. 

Needless to say, I did about as well as I thought I would. Basically on the way out I said to myself, "Erica, you've gotta step it up!" But I mean, how much more can I "step it up"? I mean, all the males in my house hate me because this is what I do all day and night. Minus my other career. I sit at my computer, read, write notes, take practice quizzes, do activities, write my essays, do my labs, and then when I get distracted (which is often), hit up facebook, blogger, twitter, azcentral, and so on. Then to top it off we put ourselves on this super- awesome yet strict budget with cash. It sort of sucks because I'm thinking, "what can I do to make up for my craziness?" and then I remember things cost money and I only have $20 left until Sunday. And it feels so good to be so strict. I feel financially free which is sort of the opposite feeling one might think you would have. So here I am, thinking of things that don't cost money, or a lot of it at least. Any suggestions would be great. Of course, a glass of wine and some Scrabble never hurt anyone. :)

So in the meantime, I'll be stepping it up and burning myself out and killing all my relationships. Until next time,

E.

In your dreams.

Sleeping has become quite the opposite of what it is supposed to be.

I remember the good old days when my dreams would be disturbed with nightmares of customers blocking me in behind the bar while bartending. Nowadays, while I sleep, my mind is still rambling, scrambling, and reading. I wake up and I'm studying and reciting biology. Really. Last night I was thinking, "Maybe I should write this down. It might come in handy for my midterm." 

And it's not just biology. I wake up with ideas on how to write my Individual Language Learner Plans so that mine are better than everyone else's. That must be why I keep waking up with headaches. That or the rather large jug of wine I consumed last night.

Speaking of dreaming, heading to watch the D-Backs and A's. Maybe tonight I will be greeted by Conor Jackson in my dreams. Only in my dreams:) 

From one thankless job to another.

I decided to TRY to keep this to record my thoughts, challenges, discoveries, frustrations, and successes as I make one of the most stressful changes a person can make in life: career change.

I asked for a challenge, and boy am I getting one already! I am halfway through my first pre-requisite to enter the nursing program, basically an introductory biology course. It's so interesting yet so abstract to me at this point. I am busting my butt to understand it so I have a strong foundation. I took biology freshmen year I believe. Sure, I remember seeing these terms before but I can tell you I remember absolutely no concepts. I'm dreading the midterm I will be taking on Friday, with no security from my books or notes, just my brain. It's really just starting over fresh. Education/science...totally different!

On the same note, I'm singed up for classes through Fall 09. Of course I had to have my advisor override all of them because they require pre-requisites which I am either in the process of taking or will take right before. That means I have to pass them first! I don't want to get straight Bs! But then again that's better than straight Cs! I'm very determined at this point and want to do well for myself, my family, my future patients. It's all very overwhelming the further I get into it. I already see the late(r) nights, the neglect, the frustration. But then I envision going to work in scrubs and tennis shoes and there's my motivation right there. I have to apologize in advance to anyone near and dear to me for the next 2 years. Bare with me, please.

In the meantime, I am forcing myself to have some balance in my life. Including, but not limited to, baseball games, six packs, hikes, jogs, mindless tv watching, fiction. 

To sum it up, if I can get through this class unscathed, I can do the rest of it!