Not Your Average College Student

It is probably no surprise to most of you that I am not the average college student.

While most college students are out celebrating what has been fondly termed as "Thirsty Thursdays"... I spent the night locked up in my office listening to an hour long lecture about pharmacology, taking a quiz, answering e-mails and making to-do lists.  Luckily, I've been able to find a group of people who understand me and my abnormal college student lifestyle.

To my NIU family and my nursing school friends: This post is for you.
A sampling of the lame, dorky and kinda coolness of my life.

Personalized tumblers on Etsy.com
[a must have for iced coffee this summer!]

The Google Search Suggestions
[always good for a laugh]

NIU Memes - Clever and Cute!
[disclaimer - will only make sense to NIU students]

Favorite Moments from The Office

[Jim Imitates Dwight]

The semester of hell continues on! The mother-baby test today was NOT as bad as expected. We'll see how the grades come back. Looking ahead, though, it's going to be a long two weeks before Spring Break rolls around. Wow, time is flying by. Wish us luck!

Much love <3

A Great Day

Yesterday was a GREAT day. It was SO refreshing.

Here is why yesterday was great:

• Ross drove us downtown and helped me prepare for my interview
• The "interview" wasn't much of an interview but I learned A LOT about the position, met nursing students from all over Chicago-land and got pumped for my interview with the nursing unit. One of the other girls said she had clinical on the same unit and LOVED it there and said the nursing staff was great. I can't wait to meet them!
• This about the time when I began day dreaming about my future opportunities to work with pediatric patients!
• Chipotle & Starbucks
• A drive home that included a nap and a heart-to-heart
• 69 cent fountain drinks at Road Ranger
• An inspiring message during the homily at mass
• Orange Blossom Lemonade & the Mezza Sampler from Mediterraneo                                         (my favorite restaurant in DeKalb)
• Productivity and honesty at the library
• And a great way to end the night.....

Frozen yogurt, cuddling and The Office on Netflix

Interview

I am currently waiting in the parking garage (one hour early) for my interview this morning. I would so much rather be this early than stressing about running late. I am feeling the nerves set in a bit now. Apparently Ross is feeling just fine, though...

Destiny?

This is the license plate on the car that parks next to me in the lot by the dorms. Destiny? I think so.

The only two nicknames I've ever had: LarLu & LoLo
Year I was born in: 1991


Do you think she'd notice if I stole it?

A Day in the Life

Well ladies and gents, it about to be another "hell week" for the 3rd track nursing students. Here are a few pictures to commemorate our last days of freedom before we get back to the grind...

A trip to Aspen Leaf!

Heart Warming Cards <3

Lotion Infused Tissues, Coffee and a Positive Attitude!

FAITH && COFFEE

Hello Blogging World!

I apologize for my absence over the past few weeks.

There has been A LOT going on in the world of Lauren Sikes lately. Many of you have gotten an earful (or two five) of my complaining, stressing, bitching, moaning. Call it what you'd like. Others of you have been lucky enough to be out of earshot.

To those of you who have been so kind and supportive over the past few weeks: THANK YOU

Instead of reviewing the stressors that have been weighing on me, I'd like to take a more positive spin on things and give a shout out to some very awesome people, places and things that have helped me survive thus far:

• Peace of heart and mind from God (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
• Countless heart-to-hearts with my mom (and dad!)
• Supportive, loving encouragement from friends
• A frozen yogurt place (Aspen Leaf) has opened in DeKalb! 
• A surprise visit from Ross last weekend
• Surviving the first exam of the semester
• An encouraging e-mail from a professor
• Valentine's goodie bags from the worlds best boss
• Being able to use my Spanish in the clinical setting
• A care package from my Mom
• An encouraging conversation and card from my Baba
• Fact: The semester is 1/4 of the way over!!!
• Coffee, coffee and more coffee

Our first trip (of many) to Aspen Leaf

Face Timing with Mom and Sis, "I Love You" in ASL & Care Package

LIFE UPDATE Now to get to the good stuff. As I said before, some of you have heard about these topics, for others of you this will be completely new information. Bear with me :)

• I was very blessed to be offered a full time position at two hospitals. I have accepted a position at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL for the summer working nights on a pediatric unit. So, bring on the espresso makers and pediatric scrubs!
• I have an interview at Children's Memorial Hospital this Saturday for a part time position that will begin in mid-summer and continue through my senior year! Wish me luck!
• My friends and I are hoping to run THE COLOR RUN this summer.
• I am going to be a co-author in a pilot study with the School of Nursing Portfolio Committee. They want to get the article published in nursing journals. So awesome!
• I have signed a lease with my two best girl friends and a guy friend for an apartment next year. I cannot wait to get out of the dorms!
• My 21st birthday is in 97 days!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

What have I learned? I'm an intense person. A lot of the stress I feel is stress that I put on myself. And apparently I reflect more deeply and more often than my mother. Also I'm strongly driven by external affirmation. This realization is a part of my growing up process. I'm not always going to get accolades for my accomplishments or decisions. I need to learn to make decisions for myself and to be proud of myself even without external affirmation. I'll still admit, though, that the external affirmations are still pretty great (see above: "encouraging e-mail from a professor").

Life is meant to be FUN. I'm going to try to focus on that a little bit more in the future :)

Frame Games - A fun and educational activity!

Much love to all <3

Mug Brownies

Last week, I had a tearful chat (or two) with my momma.  After we got off the phone, I knew exactly what I needed to cheer me up: A Mug Brownie

These bad boys are great for the college student, stay-at-home mom and even the corporate CEO. What I'm trying to say here, people, is that the mug brownie is for EVERYONE!


Six easy steps! (with pictures for your viewing pleasure)


INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 dash salt
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

1. Obtain a coffee mug. Throw all of the ingredients in at once. Use a whisk or a butter knife to mix the ingredients well.

#1 You need a mug!

#2 Mix with a butter knife or whisk

 

3. Microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. The center should be slightly molten. Be careful not to overcook your brownie.

Yummy, warm, gooey brownie!

4. Enjoy with a spoon. Careful brownie will be hot!

Enjoy! I sure did :)

OPTIONAL: If you're feeling fancy, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and enjoy a brownie á la mode!


I hope you like the recipe! Comment to let me know what you think. Thanks to my Baba for sharing this recipe with my family.


Much love to all <3


Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-chocolate-mug-brownie-349246#ixzz1ksslxeZ1

Pinky Promise!

I promise I'll be posting a few new articles as soon as I can! It has been a crazy busy week and next week is going to be even busier. I have my first exam of the semester next week on Thursday!


What you can look forward to seeing on the blog...

• A favorite recipe that you all need to know
• An article about the perks and pitfalls of being an iPhone owner
• An update to the Mea Culpa page about clinical this past week
• About how my faith in God and a whole lot of coffee have been getting me through

I owe you guys!

Much love <3