Hidden Moments

2008-04-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

Well only 59 days till the wedding! Alex and I are trying to get as much as we can done, and both our families are doing a lot to help out as well. Alex booked the honeymoon a few weeks ago and I am very excited because he didn't want to tell me where it is- it will be a surprise! He did say that it was absolutely beautiful and our room with be really, really nice. :) So I'm looking forward to that!

School is finishing quickly and I'm working tonight for my internship at UIHC. I am on the hematology oncology unit, and I really like it. I love oncology and that is my top choice for a specialty to go into.

I do not have a job yet, it's a little nerve racking. But, the hospitals that I am looking at do not want to hire very early. They want people to apply 4 to 6 weeks before they can start. And I can't start until August! So, I'm applying anyway. We'll see..

Well I'm off to get ready for the day. Hope yours is going well..

love
Beth

2007-10-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

2007-10-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

Matt & Jessi's Wedding!

2007-10-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

This was us when it all started....back in the Xodus Team days....

2007-10-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hello!
It is time for an update on life. :) So here ya go....

School is up and running. I am in my senior year at the University of Iowa. I am loving nursing, truly, I know I picked the right field of study. I work on the Adult Leukemia and Bone Marrow Tranplant unit at UIHC and I have really enjoyed getting to know so many patients. I think the role of an oncology nurse is appealing, so I am going to try to get placed in an oncology setting for my internship next semester.
I have been entertaining the idea of going back to school in the near future, maybe to be a nurse practitioner. I could specialize in oncology or gerontology. I could become a nurse practitioner and get my MSN or I could get a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice). I have heard that in the next 10 years a DNP will most likely become a standard for NP's, so my professors advise getting the DNP right away. Alex is supportive when it comes to schooling, but I want him to find a job that he really likes, and hopefully that will be in an area where I can go back to school.

Alex has had a ton of interviews. So far so good, companies are wanting to fly him out for further interviews. So his only problem might be deciding which job to take. I try to remind him that it's not that bad of a predicament. But none the less, it's hard to decide where to live.

7 months till the wedding!

2007-09-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

Classes are running & all is well. Since this part of the semester is not too difficult I am making the most of my free time and visiting Alex often. I have seen him for 4 weekends in a row, this is record breaking...I love it! I find I am a much happier person during the week if I know I get to see him on Friday. :)

It's hard to believe I only have 9 months left until I graduate & get married. College does fly by. I'm pretty excited about that though, I'm sick of being a student. More than that, I can't wait to live with Alex once we are married. To go home at the end of a day & have him there is exciting!

I am trying to keep connected with everyone and it's been working out well except for Kelly. I will call sometime in the next week, it's just busy during the day and later on her is too late there. I promise, I do miss you!

ok...that was a strange post, but i'm off to bed so I guess this is it.

take care & enjoy life everyone. I see so many people who are sick, that it makes me realize health is a blessing every day.....

love
beth

2007-07-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

So it's been too long since I've written! Much has happened that I could write on and on about, but I'll give a short message on life in Iowa City.

First, I have a horse again! Juliet came back to me in May & she will be going to Colorado on the first of August. Em will take her and use her in her lesson program. :)

I've been working on the adult bone marrow transplant & leukemia unit at UIHC. I love it. I think I might have found my calling, oncology. I have enjoyed getting to know all my patients & I will be sad when school starts again because I'll work less.

Tonight Alex & I looked around at houses. Since he might work in Cedar Rapids & I might work in Iowa City, we are trying to find a town that is in between those two places. We found a cute small town today that I really liked. It seems a bit like Orion, but a little smaller. The houses that are for sale are right around our possible price range & I loved the small town feel. Almost everyone we drove by waved at us!

That's all for tonight. See ya!

2007-04-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Alex asked me to marry him & I said YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

more to come....

2006-12-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

Yikes...it's been a while. Break is almost here and I'm loving it! This semester went by fast. In my clinical I worked at Hospice in Cedar Rapids and I loved it. I hope to someday end up working in hospice care, but before then I want to do ICU care to really make sure I learn a lot. :) Anyway, not too exciting. One wonderful thing about Christmas break is seeing so many good friend. (minus em, although I wish I could see her!) Kelly & Daniel are heading to the QC, Katie K from Boston is heading to the QC, and several of my high school friends who I haven't talk to in forever! That's all..... :)

PS I don't want to forget Alex. He'll be wonderful to see also, he always is. :)

2006-09-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

just for the sake of procrastinating...I'll write a bit in here tonight. I'm not usually a procrastinator, but this school year I'm trying (although it's hard) to not study as much. My old tendencies win most of the time, but I'm at least admitting I have a problem (isn't that the first step in AA? John J. would talk about that sometimes.) Anyway, this semester is good. I work in a nursing home right outside of Iowa City. It's pretty a pretty nice place, small, and I get to know all the residents pretty well. They are kinda funny, and although I don't think I want to work in gerontology, it's interesting. Although sometimes I think it might be worth the time to check into alzheimers, and the possibility of specializing in that area. I actually just thought of that today as I listened to a lecture.....

So this past weekend I spent some good quality time dancing with my boy and it was great! He's taking a ball room dancing class and he's got the basic steps of many dances down quite well. I think we'll have to pratice a bit more if we want to show off our moves at his house party, but at least we've always got swing to fall back on.....
Any ideas for a house party costume? The theme is opposites...I was thinking that we could go as him being good looking and me being the ugly duckling...because we all know it's true,,he's much better looking than I :)

But seriously, I need help. email me or something.....

I miss my kittens...can't wait till I can have a house of my own where they allow animals...dang apartments! And if we are going to go into complaining & hoping, I can't wait till I've got enought money of my own to buy a horse...or at least ride regularly......

Sorry this post kinda sucks. ....not too much going on and not too much time to think of a great post idea.

better luck next time...hopefully. :)

Bye all

2006-09-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

So Kelly commented that I haven't posted in a while...so here's a brief post :)

Life is good, really, it's amazing. So good, I don't really know why this just happen to work out well...but I'm thankful.

Europe was AMAZING! My favorite part----getting to see ALEX again! :) I must admit, seeing him for the first time was a bit odd, I was like "you are a real person, not just some voice I talk to on the phone!"

School's started once again, and this year is a bit more relaxed than last semester.

Alex was just here this weekend, for a quick visit. Again, wonderful to see him again.

Katie K has relocated to Boston, so I plan on visiting her sometime this year. I'll also visit my grandma in Arizona sometime, and maybe something fun over spring break with alex...maybe just the QC. :) Anyway, that's a breif summary....I'll post the wet pant pictures soon kelly. :)

2006-06-23T06:11:00.001-07:00

Em & Calloway

2006-06-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

...

2006-06-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Isabelle

2006-06-23T06:09:00.001-07:00

love this photo

2006-06-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

In the water...

2006-06-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

my favorite painting...chicago

2006-06-23T06:07:00.001-07:00

Old buds

2006-06-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

no description needed

2006-06-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

Meeting up with Brian and Chelsie

2006-06-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

Dolly

2006-06-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

Em & Josh

2006-06-23T05:57:00.002-07:00

my future town :)

2006-06-23T05:57:00.001-07:00

flower 2

2006-06-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

flower

2006-06-23T05:56:00.001-07:00

2006-06-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna live here . :) (Colorado Springs)

2006-06-23T05:53:00.001-07:00

Rowena

2006-06-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

......

2006-06-23T05:52:00.001-07:00

nice canter there em

2006-06-23T05:52:00.000-07:00

What a pretty girl!

2006-06-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Em & Rowena again

2006-06-23T05:48:00.000-07:00

Moose & Baby with owner.

2006-06-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Rowena & I

2006-06-23T05:46:00.001-07:00

Moose's baby again :)

2006-06-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

Moose's baby

2006-06-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

Here I am in Colorado! This has been a very enjoyable time visiting Emily, Josh, and the Worhley's. I've been riding horses (Rowena) and helping out with chores. Of course, I get to hold baby chickens (and I've got my favorite chicken) and rabbits, and there is even a blind cow at this farm. Although it sounds rather backyardish, it is actually a very nice and beautiful place.

I'm living with the worhley's, which has worked out great. It gives em and josh a little space, and I get to see em all day most the time. I've got my own room here, and a way comfortable bed! (all my life I've slept in a twin, and it's wonderful to have more room!)

Alex and I have planned our trip that will come to pass very soon. We are going - Madrid to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Prague, Prague to Berlin (hook up with Daniel and Kelly), Berlin to south germany with Daniel and Kelly, Then Alex and I will head to Paris, then from paris to Spain, and the cities in spain I'm not too familar with, I'll get those nams on here soon. One is San Sebastian I believe (St. Sebastan). I can't wait!!

The only sad thing is that once that is over school isn't too far from starting. Such is life, at least my hard semester of classes is over with. :)

Well I'm off to Rio Grand with Em, Josh, and Josh's father.

2006-05-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that school is finally over! Although, I have thoroughly enjoyed the break. I've watched 7 hours of Oprah, gone to downtown Chicago, hung out with great friends, and cleaned a bit around the house. Not to mention I've taken our new bloodhound for many walks by the river. It's amazing what a little free time can do for a person!

Kelly's wedding is almost a week away! Both Kelly & Daniel came into town today. :) And Em's got her new mustangs!

Tonight I watched the movie Dreamer. Overall, it was great. I thoroughly appreciated it, of course there were a few of those moments where I realized that a race horse in their prime of racing would most likely not be as calm as that filly. But ok, at least when the little girl jumped on the horse, the horse ran off.

Alex is legal in Spain finally! So everything is a go for visiting him in July. He's in Barcelona now working with a mission guy.

That's all for now. Off to hit the hay.

2006-05-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Colorado for June, and Spain for July! :) I'll be helping Em train some horses, and spending some overdue quality time with Alex. :)

2006-04-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

Less than 2 weeks left! :) I can't wait! Much has gone on, well kinda. But no time to update. My parents came today, they brought Belle. She's really growing on me, and I really love that she's so big! There are many decisions to make in the next weeks to come, I'll elaborate when I find out waht's going on. Summer plans may change up a bit. Maybe a little colorado action going on, maybe a little class...and much more. :)

2006-04-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

This too shall pass....thank God!

3 weeks left of school as of yesterday! I can't wait. The sunshine and warm weather remind me that every day that passes we are a little bit closer to freedome from the book...for a while. :) Not that I haven't enjoyed some of this semester, but it's just so busy. Although I've learned a lot, I can't wait till I can go home and relax. Take Bell, our new blood hound, for a walk by the river. Enjoy the sunshine a bit, and plan for Kelly's bridal shower & wedding. May 27, 2006 is the shower, and May 28, 2006 is the wedding!

I send in my info to get my passport today. About 10 weeks till I leave for Spain! Alex is doing fine over there, and acutally is having a wonderful time. :) His school gets done in a week from today, then he travels with his family for a while, works with a missionary, and then I come over. We will be traveling through Spain, France, and Germany in our 23 trip. Kelly's place in Berlin is one of our stops. :) I can't wait!!

So the dredded semester is almost over, they've told us this is our hardest semester in nursing school....

2006-04-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Tornado!!! Um no joke, I just saw a tornado probably about an hour ago! And this time, I didn't drive in reverse down a highway. (for the few who know that story...) Actually, it's sad. It did a lot of damage downtown, so much that we don't have school tomorrow. The national guard is here helping to clean up, and people are getting kicked out of their appartments due to gas leaks. Students are sleeping in the IMU I think. There is a lot more distruction than what I first thought. I was actually supposed to be downtown seeing a comedy show, but the bookworm that I am decided I'd better get some homework done before the weekend. Of course my friends that went were fine, they had to go down to the basement. But it was across the river from where I was.

You feel a bit powerless when you see a tornado coming through your town. It really was quite scary.

Gotta say it was a lot more exciting that studying hormones........... (pathophysiology)

2006-03-26T17:11:00.000-08:00

Call me a weirdo but I had a ton of fun last night working in the MICU. Oh, maybe fun sounds terrible, if it makes you feel better I wish it wouldn't have been as eventful for the sake of the patient. But none the less it was an interesting night with lots of crazy things happening. There was a code called (an emergency situation), pt's respirations stopped. I got to see a central line put in, and the Dr. was so kind to tell me all about what he was doing this or that. I think the fellows are so used to teaching others he forgot that I was a nursing student and not a medical student! Not really, but he did explain a ton.

As much as a night and weekend shift can take away from night time activities, there wasn't a dull moment and I doubt a movie or outing with friends could have been half as intersting as my evening.

2006-03-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

Busy this week, check back in a week or so.

2006-03-19T21:15:00.000-08:00

Well after a wonderful trip visiting Emily and Josh I am finally back at school. I have to admit it was quite depressing to be back....

I worked my first 12 hour shift yesterday.

I feel like a nurse! Ha..well actually I just feel pretty cool in that I started my first IV yesterday. Yep, my preceptor nurse asked if I wanted to try it so I thought I'd better not pass this opportunity. I felt a little bad for the patient, the poor person had enough trauma and pain, I just hoped I didn't have to dig around to find the vein. Most patients in the MICU are pretty sedated, and I wouldn't feel too bad if I had to try a couple times on those patients because they really couldn't feel it when they are out. But this person was fully awake, looking at me with fear in their eyes. I guess one good thing is that they didn't know that I'd never stuck anyone before ever! I certainly didn't trust myself, but I'm glad my preceptor did. To my surprise and delight, I found it right away, there was no digging involved at all! Yep, I saw the return of blood on that needle my first try! I have to say as weird as it sounds, I can't wait to try again. It's a bit if a rush when it works out, ok now you really can think I'm strange. Oh well, someone's gotta start your IV someday, might as well be me.

I did question if I wanted to be a nurse that night. After doing a couple things that I will spare you of details. I decided that the MICU is a nice place to try out and learn a lot, but I don't think it's for me. I'd like to work with patients who are able to resond in some way, but most the people I work with now unresponsive due to being drugged up on meds.

Anyway, off to bed & back to school. :(

2006-03-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

Copper Mountain!!!!!!!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL & We might still make a trip to Vail :)

2006-03-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

Love that family...

2006-03-14T18:36:00.000-08:00

where we went

2006-03-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

One part of the mountain..

2006-03-14T18:34:00.000-08:00

We arrived! :)

2006-03-14T18:33:00.000-08:00

lift view

2006-03-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

2006-03-14T18:31:00.001-08:00

Eating lunch..

2006-03-14T18:31:00.000-08:00

Aww....

2006-03-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

she looks like she's playing hockey!

2006-03-14T18:28:00.000-08:00

2006-03-14T18:27:00.000-08:00

Em & Josh on the slopes.

2006-03-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Em & me at her condo in Colorado! :) We just got back from shopping at a few tack stores and bumming around the Denver area. What fun!!!

2006-03-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

Em and Josh in their condo. Josh had just finished making us drinks. Yummy. What a good looking couple!

2006-03-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

2006-03-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

View from Emily & Josh's condo. I gotta live in a place that is like this! :) Oh, and their town has a public equestrian center!

2006-03-07T21:32:00.000-08:00

PS went out for my birthday last weekend! It was a ton of fun! I enjoyed trying some drinks and having a relaxing/exciting evening. It'll be fun to try out new drinks, it's like a whole new world (kinda). I must say it's nice to be of age. I'm sure em and I will celebrate my coming of age in Colorado. :)

2006-03-07T21:27:00.000-08:00

Time for an update....
A couple days till COLORADO! :) I can't wait! It seems so unreal to think that it is so close! Classes are alright, I got my pharmacology test over with which is a relief! I really hate that class, it's just so much memorization that 80 percent or more will leave my mind after the class is over. Too bad. My favorite class this semester: pathophysiology II- very interesting yet not horrid in memorization.
So this won't be my most exciting post.....
as alex might say
"off to bed" :)

2006-03-02T15:27:00.000-08:00

Back at school :) (Ok so it's really not that exciting to be back, but at least I am not sick!)

2006-03-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

Starting out 21 the way most people do...THROWING UP! Although, this is not from the usual cause, no folks I have the flu! I've been at my home in the QC all week, I hope to go back to school tomorrow. Nothing too exciting for my B day, I'm supposed to go out with some of my friends on friday but I'm not sure if I'll be feeling well enough to do that. That would be sad.

I'm looking forward to visiting Emily in just over a week, what a perfect time to go! I can not express how wonderful it is to have something to look forward too. Life seems pretty dark right now, busy and full, with not much to hope for until school gets out.

On the positive side it's been good to be with my family when I'm sick, it's no fun to be in a dorm sleeping on the top bunk when you feel like you have to throw up. Although both my parents are also home sick today, what are those odds! But I've gotten to see a ton of movies in my fever state, Good Bye Lenin, Open Range, and Meet the Parents.

Not much else new, take care!

Beth

2006-02-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

I am afraid that I will have no life for the next 6 weeks (besides for colorado!) I am going to be "working" well it's for class really, nights on the weekends! Yuck!!!

2006-02-22T11:28:00.001-08:00

Well I survived the operating room, and as far as I know so did the patients! :) I also survived without fainting (which I hear isn't that uncommon, even with med. students). Anyway, I saw a couple cool things, one was a prostatectomy. I was a little bummed because that was th e surgery I got stuck with, (there was 2 other nursing students that also went to the OR) and I was stuck with what they didn't pick. But all went well, the surgery was surpisingly a lot more indepth that I had thought. Oh and let me tell you fat revealed is really gross looking. So they cut this patient open, and it was interesting to watch the resident's work on the patient, and after the pt was all opened up the main surgeon came in. I was suprised at how they would laugh and talk pretty much through the whole thing. Although there was one time when it was pretty silent, I suppose it was a more intese time of the surgery. So nothing really that significant there. The main purpose was to watch the nurses and see what their job entailed, which was interesting. I don't think it would be my first choice job as a nurse, but I would definatly do it if I went to a country where they really needed a scrub nurse. There are two different roles for a nurse in an operating room, the circulationg nurse which kinda does odd and ends, and pretty much gets whatever the other scrub nursese or physican needs. There entails a lot of counting of idems (pretty much to make sure they don't leave anything in the patient!) and a lot of keeping a sterile field. I found there was a lot of watching, which to me was a little on the boring side. I didn't really know that much of the history of the patient, or really what their plan was anatomically, but I'd glad for the experience.
The second surgery I went to had started at the same time as the first one. It was a little more time consuming, although it started out laproscopic. I'm gonna leave the details to myself, but it was rather interesting. When I walked in the room was pretty dark and it seemed everyone was watching computer monitors that had the images from where the intruments are in the patient. (Laproscopic surgery is where they just put a few small insicions into the patient and use a tool that has a camera to see where they are in the patient. A few good things is that the patient will loose less blood and the image is maginfied so the physician might even see better that they would be able to had they opened the patient up). Everything went well until right before I was going to leave they hit an artery. As soon as they saw that blood coming they had to open the patient up. (so they changed from laproscopic to a normal incision, within probably 1 min. They cut the pt open and that was it-you would not believe how fast these people move when under pressure! Of course, I would hope they would move that fast also if I was under the knife!). Another team was called in to repair the vessel that had been ruptured. It was exciting none the less! There was 14 people in the room at one point, and by the time I left the vascular team had left and they were going to closing up the incision. Totally interesting to see the Dr's work together and to see them work so quickly after that blood started flowing.

At the moment I don't feel like writing anymore, maybe I'll write more on the subject later. But a good time none the less, ask me about it if you want! :)

Oh and one more intersting thing, how the Dr. blocked the bleeding was through holding it with his finger! He held the spot until the vasuclar team came in! Interesting huh!!

2006-02-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

Operating Room tomorrow! Yikes! That's kinda exciting and kinda scary! I did not realize that I signed up for that until today. (it's through my clinical group, and instead of going to the hematology oncology floor at UIHC I will go to the OR). Last week I went to the clinical cancer center at the hospital, which was a good experience. Probably not something I wouldn't want to do right off, because it's more patient teaching than hands on work. But none the less something to think about when I'm older. I worked with a lymphoma specialist physician and a really wonderful nurse. She knew a ton about everything and showed me all kinds of things at the at office. One of my favorite things that I got to see was a CT scan, which is pretty neat because it's really an interactive picture to see. You scroll through it and see different organs from all types of dimensions, and it's projected on a huge computer screen. I even got to watch a physician question a "fellow" which I am told is a Dr who's about to start working on their own but has to serve a few years with other experienced physicians. Everyone calls them "fellows" which was a point of confusion in my mind for quite some time. I might add there were more "fellow" gals than "fellow" men. I talked to one for a while and she was saying that so many people say how they were expecting their Dr to be a man, and when she was pregnant one man said "it just seems that my dr. shouldn't get pregnant?" What do you say to that one? um ok.

Well I'm off, maybe tomorrow I'll have some crazy story of the first full body transplant! :) Ha! But really I think it would be sweet to see maybe a brain surgery, or heart surgery.

2006-02-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

22 days in Europe! I bought my tickets hours ago and I can't wait! For those of your who do not know, I am going to travel with Alex through some places in Spain, Germany, France and hopefully Italy. We will be spending some time in Germany with my dear friend Kelly & at that time will be her husband (although it's official now, long story) for about a week or so. We hope to get some hiking in with Daniel and Kelly though the mountains as he is quite the mountain man! :) I can't wait!

I talk to Alex quite frequently and he is having a lot of fun in Spain. This weekend he is traveling and last weekend he traveled also. If your interested in his travels, let me know and I'll hook you up with his blog address.

That's all, back to homework!

2006-02-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

A mini break....

One more test down (pharmacology), now only one quiz to go and one presentation and then the WEEKEND! :) I had a lovely Valentines day dinner with my good friend Alli, which consisted of Prime Rib & fondue! it was rather exciting, and all provided by Hillcrest dining services! :)

Alright, well I'm off to do something.....

2006-02-12T12:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so I know I don't want to always be looking forward to something and missing the moment of today, but this weekend I go home to see my family, the following weekend I'm going to be going home because I'll be staying witih Jonny, Alex's little brother when his parents are gone, and then I have one weekend here in IC and the next Weekend-WEEK in COLORADO! I'm SO PUMPED!! (I talked to em last night and that got me thinking about it a little more.) AND my ticket was free! Thanks to delaying my flight home last spring break, United Airlines has been good to me!

2006-02-11T21:53:00.000-08:00

Busy, Busy...just waiting for the time when break can come!
So it's been just about 4 weeks since school has started, and now it feels like it's really in full blast. Last week I had 3 tests, and this next week I have 1 test and a huge paper "grand round" for my clinical group. I will then have to present the paper to my core clinical group this friday. Luckly, I am almost done with the writing of it, next I'll work on the powerpoint!

On the upside I get a little break from the work of my normal clinical day and the prep work, and I get to check out the outpatient cancer center at the hospital. That'll be interesting. A different aspect of the disease process for sure. Most people who have cancer are in fact at their homes and coming in to centers like this on for treatment. Anyway, another aspect of caring for people.

After talking to em for a few minutes tonight I can't wait to go to colorado in just 4 weeks! Skiing and hanging out with Em and Josh (her husband) will be WONDERFUL! I can't wait! Em said they haven't had this good of snow in the mountain in years and that many people are traveling from europe to check out the slopes! :) It will also be fun to see her parents again, they were such a part of my high school life, and growing up, it's sad I don't get to see them much anymore. Love that Worhley family. I will never forget when Em's dad would make her brothers run laps around the rest stop whenever they misbehaved! How sweet is that, I think I'll do that if I have a kids of my own. :)

I'm checking out at new church tomorrow, this is exciting. I miss a smaller church atmosphere and connection, I was way pumped when Jess called me to see if I wanted to go with her. :)

I'll be back in the QC this upcoming weekend.....
take care

2006-02-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of a dinner Alex and I made for his family, it was super yummy. I could go for that again right about now. :)

2006-02-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

A picture from Christmas break, Alex and I when we went with his family to Wisconsin. This is acutally a mud lake. It took a little hike to get there, but it wasn't too bad. What a cute guy, I must say I'm quite a lucky girl!

2006-02-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Weird occurance happened today. I got up with a slight headache, not problem I mean it happens. Anyway I went right to my computer, well first because I was hoping to get an email from alex telling me how to fix somthing on my computer, so anyway I get up and try to read my emails and I couldn't read them! Ok it's quite strange I will try explain. But I would look at the words and I couldn't understand what they meant. It was like saw the word, but I couldn't put meaning to it! After realizing I must have something a little off, I decided to try and wake up a little more before "reading" any further. Now when I first had this problem I could see the word fine and some I could understand what they meant, but I could not figure out the words as fast as normal and I couldn't put a whole sentence together. I don't really know what this means, maybe I was just too tired, but I've never had that happen ever before. The only thing I can think of was that maybe I had a migrane while I was sleeping last night, although I normally wake up and realize it, and then this morning was just the ending of that headache. Because when I have a migrane headache I have a hard time reading, but that is more just the actually focusing on a word that I can't normally do. So anyway, a weird occurance worth documenting :) Now that you think I'm surely crazy. that's it, off to studying.

2006-02-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

Change of heart

That's what this semester is for me, a lot of changing. Supposively this is the hardest semester in the whole nursing program, and anxiety of all my classmates is high. I made a decision this semester to relax a little about the whole school thing. Oh I'll study and work hard, but the whole bit of anxiety that I tended to have all of my other semesters is going to go down. It's something to decide every day, but with effort I plan to do a little more fun activities here at school and a little less worring about getting an A rather than an A-. If getting that A is the difference between sanity and enjoying life, I'll chose the later and just deal with the minimal amount of effect that will have on my life. Which really, I don't plan on going to graduate school so as long as I become an effective nurse, what is a few more points less on a GPA. No one really cares later on what that wonderful GPA was anyway, so I guess I'm trying to change and realize a little wisdom of good old Soloman. After his pursuits of finding fulfillment in worldly things he came to realize it was all meaningless. None of his fulfullment could be found in this world, but only in the Lord. This semster I plan to put into pratice the fact that I know GRADES ARE NOT EVERYTHING. May the Lord guide me because this is a change from that past semesters.

2006-02-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

Went to the hospital today, it went well for the most part. It got me thinking about life and such, and I must say I feel a little down today. I'm not sure if I love what I'm going to become, or if I hate it. Most the times I am so interested in the disease process and interventions that can help people, but when you get right down to it, it's just really hard. Not in the scholarly way, oh sure it's hard like any other major, but it hurts to think of the pt's. For instance on pt had a better chance of winning the lottery that having a type of cancer. I didn't even know that a person could have cancer in that spot, but yes. Oh and the pt wasn't your typical pt, I can't really say why( due to legal reasons), but it was a lot harder to see this person that the average cancer pt.

Maybe there is something to be said about seeing the dying process, not by any means are all these people dying, but there is a better chance of them dying before you and me. Thinking about death makes one think about what really matters in life, or at least does for me. I try to see each pt as the person they are outside the hospital, and that is hard. When you know you have a grandpa who's waiting to go home to his wiferof 4o some years(hypothetical of course), or a kid who's clearly too young to be going down this pathway, or even a 20 something pt who just months ago was dreaming of finishing college, finding a job, or even getting married. I guess the key is that we are never guarenteed lifee, just blessed with it. So that's all folks. I'll try not to be so depressing next time.

2006-01-30T21:54:00.000-08:00

Random fact from my Pharmocology book: Did you know that .02 percent of surgeries done with neuromuscluar blockers end up with a patient completely paralyzed during the surgery but yet fully awake because of inadequate anesthesia? It does not require much imagination to appreciate the horror of the surgical patient. Yikes!

Anyway, school is on the way and tonight there was a VICTORY in Herkey's Legion Womens soccer team 1. Yep that was my team! :) It ended in a tie after the 2 twenty minute halfs, and then victory came at the shoot out. (Did I mention those are no fun at all in indoor, it's pratically impossible to guess where the person will shoot with harldy any reaction time. Although I survived this one.) Afterwards, I was feeling well and ready to submerge into pharm. Which leads me to this moment, the moment before I get some sleep. I really didn't feel like sleeping much, so I thought I'd update.

I am now doing a clinical rotation in the UIHC. I'm working on the hematology/oncology floor. So far I've been there 1 full day, day 2 is Wed. The lady who teaches my group is notoriously know for expecting a lot from her students. The convo usually goes like this "Oh my first clinical was so much fun, I learned a lot and it was hard, but good. Who do you have for your clinical instructor?" "Such and Such" "OH.. really. ...(pause to think of what to say in the midst of this clearly against all encouragment information) She's tough." But I had a teacher like her for rhetoric, I wanted to cry and many times did after I got that teachers paper assignements. But with the help of a friend for support and some ideas on the papers (plus a whole lot of her proof reading all my papers) I got through. And, as much pain as that class gave me, I learned a lot and so I hear from the few people who did read my papers, my writing skill improved. (Although don't expect much on here, this is quick writing with no proof reading.)

Alex is in SPAIN!! Wow, kinda crazy. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions....
But he is alive and well, and enjoying Caceres. (There should be an accent over the a.)
He has found many Christian friends, and has a friendly host mother. He says he really sticks out there, being a blonde, having a beard, and wearing glasses. Ha, sounds kinds fun! Also...I am blessed to have found a rate on calling that can not be beat....(or so I think thus far) 5 cents a min, and that includes calling a cell phone in Spain. And, Alex gets free incoming calls! Great deal, and that's all from the comfort of my dorm room.

My dad came up today to watch the soccer game. What can I say he's my super fan. :) Can't keep the guy away from soccer, and I didn't even have to ask. When I meantioned the game, he wanted to come! : ) What a supportive dad!

My mom is still in Arizona, visiting my grandma and sister. She's been there for almost 2 weeks. She deserves a break, I am glad she could go....wish I could go with. There is something about Arizona that I just love. I've grown up going on vacations there, I'm not sure if it's the wonderful smelling air, fresh grapefruit & oranges that can be picked daily, or the driving a golf card around town, that I like the best. I've always loved to visit my grandma. This will be the first year in a long time that i won't. Last year and the year before last, Alex and I went to AZ. Well that' s all
Goodnight.

2006-01-21T21:26:00.000-08:00

Peace in the midst of tears is how it's been tonight. It's a strange feeling, knowing that life is gonna be different in many ways this semester. But it'll be alright. I feel like God has much to teach me, and probably a lot more than I can for see. Although I know it'll be hard, I'm excited for growth. Tired of this same old, same old kinda faith. When does Christ become just a savior? I fear that I too often forget all that life it meant to be and what our purpose it. Although I will not pretend to know it all, I forget the basics...ever feel that way?

In some ways I wish I could wish away months of hardness, not only in missing Alex but in classes. But I don't feel that is any way to live, life is meant to be loved to be cherished. Think of all the people who wish they could have a few extra days to cherish.

I'm a little nervous with working on the hematology/oncology floor this semester. Truly one of my greatest fears is cancer. I don't know why but I'm interested in it, at the same time I'm totally fearful. I don't suppose that it's all that healthy either. Does God want me to be fearful? I think not. I suppose if something is to happen to my body, it'll be and fear won't stop it.

I'm sick of mountain top experiences. I'm not talking about great times with God, because that is kinda what many christians would think about when I use that phrase, but I guess I mean it to be the moments that I look forward to. Now that also sounds strange. But I find that there might be sometime had by cherishing the day and letting those great moments of pure joy/fun come along as time allows, but not to live for those moments. So for a while, I will try to discipline myself to live for that day...keep me accountable ok. I'm not living for July, I'm living for today! :)

Alright, this seems to be enough for right now. I'm gonna read a little more on pain management and then hit the hay. Goodnight all. I just might update this a little more often, but not promises.

2005-12-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like life is so good? I had one of those days today, and I am so thankful! For the past 2 days I have been going out to the stable to visit with a good friend and today she told me to come out and bring my saddle! :) So need less to say I got to ride today! It was wonderful to be back on a horse again. Lately I hadn't had much interest in riding because every time I looked at a horse I got sad because I missed Juliet. Well, today after talking to my good friend I decided that I can still love riding, which would mean love riding Juliet and other horses also. And my friend helped me realize that I wouldn't be betraying Juliet if I indeed rode other horses, and most of all I would not lose my love for her. It is true that she has a place in my heart that no other horse will occupy, but I can love riding and find room to love other horses also. So I hope that makes sense, but I really don't feel like proof reading it...so I won't....
Anyway tomorrow my friend will give me a dressage riding lesson! Dressage really should be taught at least in part to every rider no matter the discipline, but I'm afraid my old horse trainer never really taught it much. Too bad~ I need to learn how to flex horses and I think it would be very intersting trying dressage for a while. Next year at school I think I'll start to take lessons at a Dressage stable, once I've got the basics down. Anyway..that's all! Bye!

2005-12-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve at the Hanson household.

2005-12-24T22:42:00.000-08:00

Myself, Heidi, and Heather

2005-12-24T22:41:00.000-08:00

My cousin's son, Caden Paul. Isn't he adorable!! He's even got a little smile on his face in this one!

2005-12-23T15:51:00.000-08:00

Time for an update, it's been a while. Thank goodness school is over, for a little while at least. Classes finished a week ago :) I've got 3 more weeks to be home!! It's not that I don't like my classes, because really they are very interesting, it's just the studying all the time that gets tiring. It's the worring about exams and upcoming performance exams that get me thinking I can't wait to be done, and in some ways I can't. Although I find myself thinking a bit more like a nurse here lately, with my grandmother in the hospital I have an opportunity to use some of my skills to help keep her active and moble. I enjoy learning about health, but I love being able to relax and be with the people I love the most.

Summer update....
I am going to take classes at a community college for the first part of the summer, and then off to EUROPE!!! I will join Alex in Spain at the end of his program (the beginning of July) and we will come back to the US the end of July. I was debating on what to do with the summer, and when Alex brought up the idea after a couple days of thoughts I decided to travel because who knows when I'll have an opportunity to travel in Europe for that long.

Alex leaves....the end of January. It's not a reality in my mind right now, it's only head knowledge. I think I'll realize he's gone once it's been a few days and our routine daily phone calls have turned into weekely phone calls. Sad, I'll miss him. It seems all my closest friends will be far away....Kelly in Germany, Emily in Colorado, Alex in Spain.....at least if I can't beat them I'll join them :) (I'm visiting Kelly in Germany with Alex, and visiting Emily in Colorado over Spring break!)

Tonight I'm going to a cocktail party. I get to wear my new attire that I picked up for a Christmas prestent :) I've never been to a party like this so I don't know what to anticipate....a friend from high school is hosting it.

Christmas at the Hanson's is going down both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...so busy, busy, busy here. Take care & Merry Christmas all!!
Beth

2005-12-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

Finals week!!!
I had one today which I was glad to get over (pathophysiology). Tomorrow's Health Assessment, which will also be a challenging one, but I'm sure a relief to get over. I'll be home on thursday! :)
My family is getting 2 new kittens, and we of course still have Wesley. Unfortunatly they have bad names, if you really want to know ask, and I just might add that my mom and sister named them! 2 black kittens, and I'm not sure if they have any difference in markings. What can I say my family has a heart for the shelter animals.....
Gotta study! Bye!

2005-12-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

This one is on the request of Emily! :) Although, I fear I don't have any exciting news, oh well. The good news is that I will be home in less than 2 weeks! Christmas break is the only think that keeps me studying, knowing that there is a end to this semester! :)
Anyway...
I'm having some major decisons to make lately. Oh I suppose it's nothing too life altering, but deciding what to do for the summer is kinda a big decision. Africa or Quad Cities. I'm sure there could be a little bit of both, but I'm torn on the decision and leaning toward....(I'll let you know when I decide.)
Alex also is having to make some decisions. Should he say in Spain the semester & summer or just the semester? I will soon have news on his decision due to the face he has to decide soon. I suppose that any decison made will work out alright, and there is never any way to really say that on decision is better than another in these situations.

Looking forward to Christmas break because.....
I get to spend some quality time AWAY FROM THE BOOKS!!!!!!

I get to see my cousin Heidi, and hang out with that awesome girl!

Kelly is coming into town for a few days, so I'll at least get to see her for a little bit! (she's from germany, well kinda .... )

I will be around my family for more than a weekend :)

Alex and I are going to see Wicked in Chicago!! (Yeah for being in Chicago before Christmas!)

I get to see animals again (I'm really not picky on which animals, but dogs, cats and horses are the main ones.)

My family and I are planning to visit Juliet in Missouri!! (I can not wait to see her again! I miss her so much. )

I have cool Christmas presents for my family and can't wait to give them away....

It'll be good to see my extended family which has recently grown with a few added little ones!

I will be able to watch a movie, drink hot chocolate, and cuddle under a blanket with well ya know who.... :) (I want Alex to see the movie Skeleton Key so hopefully we'll watch it)

I hope to catch up with the old high school buddies.....

I'm looking forward to going to Mojo's and not studying :)

And I suppose that's it for the wish list this year. I'm not so much looking for any cool gifts, but rather spending time with friends and family will be just wonderful!!

So yeah that's it...
Good night

2005-11-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

This is just a random picture of my cat (back home), he's a little crazy and I miss him. So I thought I'd post a picture....ok a little weird I know. that's it for now.

2005-11-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

Alex and I this past weekend....right before I left to head home.

2005-11-01T13:56:00.001-08:00

California Rasins....

2005-11-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Beta Sigma Psi house party ..

2005-11-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Friends from the house party...they won the best acting of their costume. Debo and Lynn

2005-11-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

Alex with my kid and grandson......

2005-11-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

Right before we left for the house party....

2005-11-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

My aunt sent this to me today, it's of my cousin Ryan and his new wife Sara.