Trent Walton on Blogging

“There’s something sacred about reading a blog post on someone else’s site. It’s like visiting a friend’s house for a quick meal ’round the breakfast table. It’s personal — you’re in their space, and the environment is uniquely suited for idea exchange and uninterrupted conversation. In many ways, we should be treating our blogs like our breakfast tables. Be welcoming & gracious when you host, and kind & respectful when visiting.” – Trent Walton

Tuesdays with Morrie

Tonight Ross and I watched a stage production of Tuesdays with Morrie from the cat walks at Bradley. Great show filled with laughter and tears. A must read book for all.

It is a beautiful day...

Outside!

But I'm stuck inside studying for a Mother Baby exam. 

At least I'm getting educated for when I have my kids!

Uh oh...

**I wrote this post yesterday morning, but was too embarrassed to publish it.**

Today I thought, "Oh, what the hell." Go ahead and enjoy my stupidity, people.

It is 8:30 a.m.
The sun is shining.
... and I never went to bed last night.


Let me be clear, this is the first time I have ever pulled an all-nighter.
And I'm not a huge fan.


I'm feeling pretty emotionally unstable.
I can't really concentrate on anything.
I just keep watching engagement videos on youtube.


I'm pretty sure nothing about this right now is healthy.

The view from my window this morning.

Lord, please help me to survive today.

New-ness

Be sure to stop by and take a look at the recently updated Quotes & Mea Culpa pages!

Leave a comment if you like what you see! 

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Online Window Shopping

When my family and I first moved to Chicago-land, I went kicking and screaming. I did NOT want to change high schools. I did NOT want to live in Illinois. I did NOT want to leave my friends. Needless to say, I could've listed off 100 reason why moving... well... sucked.

One of my first memories of being here was a trip to downtown with my dad and window shopping on Michigan Ave. For those of you who have lived in a cave your whole life, Michigan Ave. (aka The Magnificent Mile) is the main strip in Chicago that boasts Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Water Tower Place, etc. My favorite, though, is the THREE STORY FOREVER 21.

My father, in an attempt to console my tortured teenage self, bought me a clearance rack shirt from one of these stores. The rest of the day, though, was spent window shopping. I may have been emotionally unstable, but I still had enough sense to know that a $400 dollar purse or $150 lipstick is completely asinine.

This was probably my first time ever truly window shopping. Now, as a college student stuck in a small town for eight months out of the year, most of my window shopping occurs online. Below are a few of the most recent items I've fallen in love with. Pinterest.com and wanelo.com are the main websites where I online window shop. These sites will usually link you back to the original source, which I have provided along with the images below.

$58 - Natural Crochet Women's Classics - TOMS.com

$35 - Personalized Mug Set for Couples - etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/listing/92911330/latte-mug-couple-set-of-2-personalized

$56 - Eberjey Colette Racer Back Bralet - journelle.com
http://www.journelle.com/womens-bras/all-bras/eberjey-colette-racer-back-bralet.html

$7.50 - Mini Rustic Pies in a Jar - etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70525638/unique-wedding-favor-peach-pie-in-a-jar

Enjoy online window shopping!


Much Love <3

More Good News

Can this week get any better?!

I just got the call from Children's Memorial Hospital... 

I am officially a student nurse assistant for the 2012-2013 year! 

The paperwork comes in next week. I cannot wait to work at such a great hospital.

It's downtown. It's all pediatrics. It's right next to the lake and Northwestern.

PRIASE THE LORD! For He is good. 

I would never be where I am today without his great love and mercy.

The new hospital downtown.
Moving June 9th!

Check out the video for the new hospital!

Three Years of Love

March 19th marks three years of happiness, joy, love, passion, commitment and growth with Ross. 
We began dating on March 19th of our senior year in high school. 
Man, time truly flies when you're having fun :)

Below are pictures documenting our celebration on Saturday night <3

He bought me the most beautiful roses!
















We made a trip to Hobby Lobby (my favorite store!) We were getting supplies for a project (details below), but we were greatly disturbed by what we found in the "baby doll" isle ----->

After the store, we finally began the "Our Stache" jar. It will one day look like the jar here.  Here's how the jar works: Each time I freak out unnecessarily or criticize Ross's driving, I have to put a dollar in the jar. Each time Ross is late, he puts a dollar in the jar. Needless to say we'll be broke soon if we don't shape up. The funds will remain in the jar and saved for a "rainy day" :)


After the excitement of the jar, we just HAD to swap gifts. Here we are holding our two favorites. Ross got me a travel sized bible! Isn't it cute?! It almost looks like a wallet. I got him a remote control shark toy that flies!

Ross surprised me last minute and took me out for hibachi at Kiku! I have been craving it for a couple of weeks and man was it delicious!!! The fried rice was great and they had good dipping sauces too. For my friends who love Fushi Yami, they had pinku dipping sauce!

After a lovely dinner, we headed to Cookie Dough Creations in downtown Naperville! This place is phenomenal if you're looking for a sugar coma. For example, my dish consisted of strawberry ice cream topped with loads of turtle cookie dough.

Isn't he handsome?!


I really like that there are Christmas lights that are in the background.

While we ate ourselves further into a food coma, we chose to sit on a bench overlooking one of the busiest street corners for people watching. Being as it was St. Patrick's Day, the crowds were particularly amusing. We also ran into a Snowball friend, a guidance counselor from high school and  I even recognized a previous patient of mine! This is the first time that I have ever had this happen to me. It almost felt like a right of passage into the world of nursing.

After a long day, Ross and I relaxed as his parents' house and watched The Office. What a perfect way to end such a perfect day.

One last picture of my beautiful roses!

I just LOVE him! :)

Watch the video below to see Ross's reaction to his new toy :)

 

I hope you've enjoyed the pictures! More updates to come. Here's to working through the next eight weeks as quickly and as effectively as possible. I cannot wait for this summer to be here so that I can drink iced coffee all day, work with pediatric patients and see Ross way more often :)

Much Love <3

Spring Break: Part 2

And so the fun comes to an end...

Break was more fun and relaxing than I had planned, but that means it was not as productive as I had hoped it would be :(

Now I am back at school in 80 degree weather and no air conditioner.... IN MARCH! I don't know if I can handle this for another two months. I'm not so secretly hoping the weather cools back off for a bit.

So, the biggest news about break was Ross and I celebrating our three year anniversary! Tomorrow marks the actual date (March 19th) so I'll post pictures from our Saturday night out sometime tomorrow.


Other news from the break...

I got to have lunch with three of by best girl friends from Naperville [Megan, Kelly and Kim]. We of course had to go to Noodles & Co. (Kelly's favorite place for Mac & Cheese!). It was great to catch up. It's really amazing to see how we've all grown up. We are each in a committed relationship, we talk about working full time and we didn't even wear green on St. Patrick's Day! Apparently I do not have a picture of just the four of us... I did find a few older (and maybe not so flattering) pictures to share :)

Me, Meg and Kim on the Snowball Staff Canoe Trip!

Amy, Kelly, Me, Amanda and Kim at a Mazz Bonfire!

We had a wonderful dinner party at our house on Friday night. My mom cooked vegetarian just for me because we're in the season of Lent (no meat on Fridays!). It was really nice to see some old family friends. Also, Ross was able to be my date for the night! <3

During the day on Friday, Halle and I made a chalk mural on the driveway. She had been sick all week and definitely had some cabin fever going on. The driveway was about as far as we could go, but it still did the trick and got her out of the house for a bit.

Today I received a care package from my Mom that we thought got lost in the mail! I was so glad that it finally came. I've already managed to eat through half of it. Check it out...

Frame Games, Pocky Sticks, Peanuts, Dinos Gummies

And finally, to pass along a bit of inspiration I received this week: TOMS Shoes is a company that sells awesomely comfortable and fashionable shoes. For every pair of shoes purchased, they donate one pair of shoes to a kid in need. They go on these awesome "Giving Trips"to places like Africa to deliver the shoes. Check out the picture below then browse around at www.TOMS.com  I absolutely adore these shoes and it's a great cause! They even have shoes that are made with out animal products (go vegans!).  Reading about these Giving Trips has really encouraged me to pursue going on a mission trip within the next couple of years. I really feel that God is calling me to serve in other countries and to use my passions and talents for Him.

Top: Spring floral prints to die for! I love all three.
Bottom: Information about how to get involved!
[FYI, I wear a size 8.5 and my birthday is May 22nd.]

I can't wait to share the anniversary pictures with you all tomorrow!



Much Love <3

Spring Break: Part 1

Spring break is off to a great start so far!!!

I took the first couple of days off to be "mom" for my brother and sister while the real Mom and Dad were in Atlanta. It was super fun to be with the kids but man it was EXHAUSTING! It was a good reminder that I want to wait to have kids for quite some time.

A card from my boss for the Summer welcoming me to the unit!
And a St. Patty's Day card from my Baba :)

Saturday, I bartended at a party for party in the neighborhood. Mind you, this party was full of adults who have their own children. I have never seen so many middle aged people so drunk. The number of awkward comments I heard almost out numbered the hysterical moments of the night. A few of my favorites: teaching people my parents' age how to take jello shots, watching them play flippy cup and the guy who knew (and belted out) every word to Firework by Katy Perry.

Yesterday was Sunday and in honor of the Sabbath, I DID NOTHING! It was great to relax with my family. My twelve year old sister told me I needed to get hip with the times and purchase my first pair of yoga pants... So that's was our only goal for the day.

Goal: Accomplished!

Now today was full of dread and horror as I realized how much homework I have to do before the week is up. It'll be worth it once I get back to school, but right now its absolutely poopy beyond belief. Yes, poopy. That is the only way I can describe it. Now I am sitting at Dunkin' Donuts with Ross attempting to write an aspect paper about my personal philosophy of spiritually centered leadership. Talk about fun.

Study Buddy <3

Here's to a productive, educational and not-so-relaxing rest of spring break!


Much love, everyone <3

Keep Calm And...

BLOG!

Well. It has just been far too long since I've updated my blog!

I guess my absence proves that I have been incredibly busy, but I hate to keep harping on that point. Instead, let's just get to how awesome life has been lately! Lot's of good things and many blessings.

I have officially committed and completed my new hire paperwork for my internship this summer at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria, IL. I will be working nights on a pediatric acute care unit! I just e-mailed my unit manager to see if I get to wear fun pediatric scrubs. Now I have to find a way to learn about pediatrics so I don't look like a total fool this summer since I haven't had my pediatrics courses yet.

I have yet to actually step foot into the hospital... Maybe I should do that before the semester is out. BUT, this video makes it seem REALLY gorgeous. I love the themes and the Catholic flair the nuns bring ;)

The past couple of weeks have been full of:

• Studying for pharmacology and med-surg. Both exams went well with a little assistance from my best friends and lots of caffeine!

• I had my second interview at Children's Memorial. It went as well as it possibly could have! I'll hear back within another week or two. Thanks to Mom and Dad for hooking me up with a new snazzy interview outfit!

• I got another heart-warming card from my Baba :) "Life is Improvisation" - I think I'm finally beginning to grasp this idea and be empowered by it. 

• All the while, God is still working on my heart and teaching me a lot about trusting in Him.

Not only did Mom and Dad get me decked out for my interview, but they brought the whole family out to visit in DeKalb! We all made out like bandits at Khol's and then, of course, had to make a stop at Ollie's. Ollie's is the local frozen custard joint in DeKalb and it is DELICIOUS!

My family's visit REALLY made me miss home. I am so tired of running around at school. I need some home cooked food. I need some relaxation. I need my heated blanket. So thank goodness it's finally SPRING BREAK!

Reuniting with my brother & sister!

Reuniting with my puppy, Ace!

Now I'm one day into Spring Break and I'm already feeling revived. Yesterday was productive and I've got big plans for the rest of my week off! It's not going to really be a week off... but it will be a week to catch up and get ahead. You know what that means....

It is what it is, people. I will get by with a little help from my family and friends.

I don't have any recent pictures, but Ross always helps me to stay calm and he frequently puts a smile on my face :) We are going to celebrate our three year anniversary soon (3/19).  Wow, time has flow. We have grown up a lot over the past few years. It's actually quite astounding how we've grown so much closer through it all.  Here's to us, honey!

Much love, everyone <3